Baseballs, Baseballs, Baseballs

The 2009 World Series starts tonight at Yankee Stadium and Rawlings is the official baseballs for Major League Baseball (MLB). Rawlings uses proprietary materials and processes to make these official MLB baseballs. The Extra Innings Technology (EIT) gives Rawlings baseballs greater hardness, liveliness, and durability that you won't find in any other baseballs.
Some cool facts:

• There are 2,420 Rawlings MLB baseball games played during the regular season
• Over 10 dozen Rawlings MLB baseballs are used during each MLB game.
• In total, 24,000+ Rawlings MLB baseballs are used during the regular MLB season.
• A Rawlings MLB baseball is thrown on average of 7 pitches.
• Each Rawlings MLB baseball has 108 hand-sewn stitches.
• MLB and MiLB baseballs have a flat seam as opposed to a raised seam.
• Rawlings has been the official MLB baseball since 1977.
• You can get the official 2009 World Series baseball at RawlingsGear.com
• The 2009 Dueling and Champions World Series baseballs will be in stock over the next couple of weeks.

You can go to RawlingsGear.com and get yourself one or a dozen baseballs today + get an additional 15% off thru October 31st!

Rawlings 5-Tool Training Equipment

Rawlings® has teamed up with Ripken Baseball to offer a complete line of training equipment focused on improving the “5 tools” of baseball performance. The “5 tools” of baseball performance include: Fielding, Throwing, Hitting for Average, Hitting for Power, and Speed. Every 5-Tool Training product includes drills and instructions to help you improve your baseball performance.

Fielding
Good defense wins ballgames. Great defense wins the Rawlings Gold Glove Award®. You need to be consistent on routine plays but also make the spectacular catches. Use products with the fielding icon to develop hand eye coordination, quick reflexes, and great hands.
5-Tool Training equipment for Fielding:
• Quick Hands Glove (QUIKHANDS)
• Pro Trainer Glove (PROTRAIN)
• Reaction Ball (REACTBALL)
• Pitching Machine Training Baseball (5TROTBPM)

Throwing
Whether through pitching or fielding assists, great throwing is associated with great defense. While it’s important at all positions, having a strong arm is especially important for outfielders, pitchers and catchers. You need to have arm strength, accuracy and endurance to be truly effective. Use products with the throwing icon to develop a stronger, healthier arm built for the long run.
5-Tool Training equipment for Throwing:
• Fielding Net (PROPITCH)
• Hitting Net (POPNET)
• Resistance Band (RESBANHAND)
• Resistance Ball (RESBANBALL)
• Pitching /Fielding Net (TRAVLPITCH)
• Pitching Machine Training Baseball (5TROTBPM)

Hitting for Average
A high average hitter puts the ball in play, gets on base and moves runners around to score. You need a balanced swing, a good eye at the plate and great hand eye coordination. Look for the average icon on products and spend as much time as possible using them to fine tune your swing.
5-Tool Training equipment for Average:
• Fielding Net (PROPITCH)
• One Hand Wood Training Bat (ONEHANDBAT)
• Hand Eye Bat (HANDIBAT)
• Hitting Net (POPNET)
• Pitching /Fielding Net (TRAVLPITCH)
• Pro Hitting Tee (PROTEE)
• Rubber Hitting Tee (TRAVLTEE)
• Pitching Machine Training Baseball (5TROTBPM)
• Plastic 5” MLB Training Balls (5TROPT5PK12)
• Plastic 9” MLB Training Balls (5TROT9PK6)
• Bucket of 9” MLB Training Balls (5TBUCKPT30PK)
• MLB Hit Training Baseball (ROTBHT3PK6)
• MLB Curve Training Ball (ROTBCT3PK6)
• Hitters Eye Training Baseball (5THITATP)

Hitting for Power
Hitting for power represents one of the most sought after capabilities in baseball: the ability to change the course of a game with a single swing. You need to be strong physically, but also have a great swing to consistently get extra base hits. Using products with the power icon will build your strength, bat speed and help you develop a powerful swing, turning you into a threat at the plate.
5-Tool Training equipment for Average:
• Fielding Net (PROPITCH)
• One Hand Wood Training Bat (ONEHANDBAT)
• Hand Eye Bat (HANDIBAT)
• Hitting Net (POPNET)
• Pitching /Fielding Net (TRAVLPITCH)
• Pro Hitting Tee (PROTEE)
• Rubber Hitting Tee (TRAVLTEE)
• Pitching Machine Training Baseball (5TROTBPM)
• Plastic 5” MLB Training Balls (5TROPT5PK12)
• Plastic 9” MLB Training Balls (5TROT9PK6)
• Bucket of 9” MLB Training Balls (5TBUCKPT30PK)
• MLB Hit Training Baseball (ROTBHT3PK6)
• MLB Curve Training Ball (ROTBCT3PK6)
• Hitters Eye Training Baseball (5THITATP)

Speed
Speed makes you a threat on the bases and gives you range in the field. Improving your foot speed, quickness and agility will take you to the next level and set you apart from the crowd. Look for products with the speed icon and dedicate plenty of practice time to improving this tool.
5-Tool Training equipment for Speed:
• Running Bases (THROWBASE)
• Agility Hurdles (AGILHURD)
• Agility Ladder (AGILLAD)

What's New for the 2009 Season?

All Maple Bats used at the pro level must have an ink dot on the handle. The dot bleeds in the direction of the grain allowing the straightness to be measured. The straighter the grain, the stronger the bat. The following Rawlings Wood Bats display the ink dot on the handle: P460M, P302M, 271MAP, 460MAP, 350FMAP, 155FMAP, 252JMAP. You can add your number to most of Rawlings Wood Bats for only $5. Select your wood bat and click Engrave it.

Protect Your Melon! Rawlings S100 Helmet

The New York Times published an article on August 12, 2009, titled "New Batting Helmet Is Safer, but Players Hate Look." This article gives several view points from MLB players. Check out the New York Times article and take a look at the S100 Helmet from Rawlings.

The Rawlings Gear Custom Shop Is Open - 4 Ways 2 Make It Yours!

Here at Rawlings Gear we want everybody to be an individual and we want our customers to feel the same way. That's why we offer 4 ways for you to customize your next Rawlings baseball glove.

1 - Rawlings Custom Glove Pro Shop
For those of you looking for the most options, you need not look further than the Rawlings Custom Glove Pro Shop. You can start with a blank Pro Preferred™ or Heart of the Hide® glove and customize until your heart is content. Anything from lace color, to shell and palm leather color and welting can be changed. Try out the Rawlings Custom Glove Pro Shop builder here.

2 - Rawlings Personalized Pro Program
If you're looking for not quite so many choices, but still want a true "Custom" look, this is the option for you. Pick an eligible glove for this program and you can add your name, change the lace color and add a flag. This option is available on select gloves in the: Primo, Pro Preferred™, Heart of the Hide®, Gold Glove® Limited and Gold Glove® Series. Start shopping for eligible gloves here.

3 - Custom Laser Engraving
If you're looking for that "Custom" look without the "Custom" price tag, then this is the choice for you. Select gloves are available for custom laser engraving done right here at Rawlings Gear. The turnaround is quick on these gloves so there is no need to wait 6-8 weeks like with the Custom Pro Shop and Personalized Pro gloves. Start shopping for eligible gloves here.

4 - Custom Nameplate
Our last option brings that "Custom" element and a splash of color. The Rawlings RCS Series has a set of tabs on the back side of the glove web that allows you to attach a Custom Nameplate.The glove comes stock with a black nameplate with the Rawlings® name, but for an additional charge you can order a custom nameplate in a variety of colors. This makes a great add-on to these gloves. Start shopping for eligible gloves here.

Gear Up for the Football Season

Get stocked up for football season with Rawlings Gear. Get $10 off every $100 of football equipment purchased, plus get FREE ground shipping. This includes all of the great new Rawlings powered by Zoombang performance apparel. Offer is good from July 24th through August 2nd. Start Shopping Now!
*Offer good on in-stock items only.

Rawlings/Zoombang Compression Shirts & Girdles

Rawlings has partnered with Zoombang to produce a new line of football compression shirts and girdles. Originally designed to bend, twist, and flow through tight airplane spaces, this visco-elastic polymer has been re-engineered for the contact sports world, and is trusted by the top pro football players and teams. Zoombang protective gear is currently worn by over 200 pro football players and trusted by 23 NFL teams.

Why Zoombang?

• Currently worn by hundreds of pro athletes
• Better protection than EVA foam
• Reduces injury, bolsters muscle support
• Absorbs up to 80% of impact forces 50% lighter than most gels

Get your compression shirts and girdles today, Shop Now!