We recently connected with Logan Wiening and have shared our conversation below.

Logan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

I started with a concept of designing Minor League Baseball style logos for local Fort Wayne business just as a fun thing to post on social media, which led me to sketching some logos for what I called the “Old Fort Baseball League”. Pretty quickly, I shifted focus from that to designing and redesigning more modern takes on the historic teams of Fort Wayne’s storied baseball history such as the Fort Wayne Daisies and Kekiongas.

The thought process then turned into a curiosity into turning it into an apparel brand. I had very limited knowledge into the logistics of that so I began doing research into options that would allow me to test the waters in that space without a large up front risk or investment.

Once I found some print on demand options and built a website, I began to just slowly promoting the items on social media with the intention of building a brand more so that just selling the items. Once I began to get some decent feedback online, I decided to look into participating in the local farmers market which, as a frequent visitor, I knew had high foot traffic and would be a good stepping stone for visibility in the community.

From the point of beginning to do the market a few times in the summer of 2022, I felt that I had a good enough idea to continue investing the time into more ideas and efforts connecting with the community to tell the stories of the baseball history in Fort Wayne. From there, it truly has just exploded to a point where I have people reaching out to me consistently both locally and across the country wanting to learn more or get involved.

Logan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Old Fort Baseball Co. was born from a love of baseball history and hometown pride. I started the brand because I wanted to create something that celebrated Fort Wayne’s long, overlooked baseball story — from the minor league teams and neighborhood sandlots to the players and moments that shaped the game here.

At its core, Old Fort Baseball Co. is a mix of design, storytelling, and nostalgia. We make vintage-inspired apparel, collectibles, and creative projects that highlight Fort Wayne’s baseball past. Every shirt, hat, or print we release has a story behind it — whether that’s a forgotten local team, a historic ballpark, or a connection to the broader baseball world.

What sets us apart is that we’re not just making “baseball merch.” We’re preserving and reimagining local sports history through thoughtful design. Each release is heavily researched and designed with care to feel like something that could’ve existed back then — but with modern quality and comfort.

I think what I’m most proud of is seeing people connect with the stories. When someone tells me they remember watching the Kekiongas or that their grandpa played in a local league we featured, that’s what makes it worth it. It means we’re helping people rediscover and take pride in their city’s history.

For anyone new to the brand, I’d want them to know that Old Fort Baseball Co. isn’t just about baseball — it’s about Fort Wayne. It’s about remembering where we’ve been, finding community through shared stories, and making things that mean something to the people who wear them.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think it’s been a mix of consistency, authenticity, and storytelling. From the beginning, I’ve tried to build Old Fort Baseball Co. around real history and genuine passion. I love the stuff I create and am genuine about wanting to partner with teams and organizations for the better of the baseball community.

I go out of my way to work with teams and organizations who might not get the recognition they deserve which has helped grow our customer base through largely organic means because we are genuinely invested within the baseball community.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Honestly, it’s been a slow and steady process built around storytelling and connection. From day one, I didn’t want our social media to feel like advertising — I wanted it to feel like a place where people could discover pieces of Fort Wayne’s baseball history in a fun, authentic way.

A lot of our growth has come from simply sharing the stories behind the designs — old photos, newspaper clippings, forgotten teams — and pairing that with clean, nostalgic design work. People started following because they weren’t just seeing products; they were learning something about their hometown. That connection keeps them coming back.

I also was very intentional about tagging the right people in the posts I was making. It helped to bring attention to what we were doing with the right people, many of whom bought in early and have become partners or even close friends in some instances.

For anyone starting out, my best advice is: don’t chase trends or likes. Focus on telling stories that matter to you and to your audience. Be patient, be consistent, and be yourself. When your content reflects what you genuinely care about, people pick up on that — and the right audience will find you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://oldfortbaseballco.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/oldfortbaseballco
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/oldfortbaseballco
• Twitter: https://x.com/OldFortBBallCo

Image Credits

Nikeshia Young