The Tuscaloosa News is reporting that The University of Alabama, along with every university under contract with Nike, has been released from its obligation to use Nike baseball bats in the upcoming season. The move came after report by the newspaper in May found that Nike underperformed versus other bat manufacturers.

While using the Nike bats last year, Alabama hit just 23 home runs, down
from an average of 86.6 over the previous three seasons, according to the report. Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Miami, North Carolina and Southern
Cal – all Nike schools – showed signs of substandard offensive
performance.

Alabama requested Nike allow the school to use other manufacturers' bats following the 2010-11 season.

A search of the Nike Store online Monday showed the company no longer sells bats certified for college use, according to Tuscaloosa News. Nike has not yet commented on the report.