They made their own bats because there were no manufacturers. They made their bats using hickory wood.
In the 1890's a rule was made that bats couldn’t be more than 2.75 inches in diameter. That is the distance around the bat where the batter puts his hands.
In 1875 the first baseball glove was ever worn. Doug Allison was believed to be the first player to use a baseball glove. He played on the Red Stockings and he was a left handed catcher. In 1884 the Louisville Slugger was born. A seventeen year old Bud Hillerich made the first Louisville Slugger baseball bat.
In 1924 William Shroyer made the first metal bat. When he made the metal bat you couldn’t use them in games.