9 Strap began with a single idea that came out of watching a baseball game. Ryan Vaughn, who grew up around the sport in Yucaipa, California, had spent years playing and following baseball closely. In July 2023, he saw a player nearly suffer a serious shoulder injury during a swing. That moment led him to think about how a batter’s hands move on the bat and whether there was a way to keep both hands engaged through the motion.
He started working through the problem at home. Early concepts did not hold up, but one approach stood out. Instead of attaching the bat to the hands, he designed a strap that would allow the lower hand to stabilize the upper one. That same night, he asked his wife, Alyson Vaughn, to help build a rough prototype using old batting gloves and spare materials. The first version was simple, but it showed how the idea could work in practice.
The project moved quickly after that. Within weeks, Vaughn connected with people who had experience in sporting goods and baseball coaching. Feedback from early tests helped refine the design, and Alyson continued to assist with improving materials and construction. The name “9 Strap” came from the shape of the device and its connection to baseball, where the number nine appears throughout the game.
Ryan and Alyson Vaughn built the business around a single product and expanded from there. The strap is used as a training and safety tool, and it is sold through their website along with related items such as batting gloves and accessories. The operation combines direct online sales with outreach to coaches, players, and training programs.
Growth followed as more players tested the product and shared it within their networks. What started as a home-built prototype developed into a broader product line, including versions for different sports that involve similar swing mechanics. Within a short period, the business reached a wider audience and moved beyond its initial circle of users.
