Choose a Glove with Heart—Heart of the Hide

If you’re shopping for one of the finest gloves in baseball, look no further than Rawlings’ Heart of the Hide series of gloves.

It’s not just the glove that the pros choose, it’s the one that the best pros choose. Albert Pujols, Derek Jeter and Ryan Howard have all made an HOH glove their everyday game glove.

Rawlings began making HOH gloves in 1958, and they’ve only gotten better with time.

HOH steer hide leather tends to be the prime cut or center portion of the smaller hide and is usually thicker than other leathers. The leather from the center area of the hide typically has less stretch, resulting in a firm glove that is easier to shape. The top-grade leather allows the glove to mold to the player’s hand for a proper feel yet maintain the durability needed to play at the highest level.

Handcrafted from the top 5 percent of steer hides, this leather has made the HOH series of gloves one of the most popular on the market.

In addition to this top-quality leather, HOH gloves feature Tennessee Tanning Pro lacing and can be purchased with a variety of different webs and in different sizes.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) for more information on Heart of the Hide gloves.

Minimum Advertised Price Keeps Rawlings Standards High

Have you ever wondered why the Rawlings glove you want never seems to go on sale?

It’s an effort to keep prices uniform so that all Rawlings outlets, including Rawlings Gear, can focus on providing superior service to customers. It’s called the Minimum Advertised Price.

A MAP is an agreement between suppliers and retailers that specifies the lowest price at which an item is allowed to be advertised. If you've ever tried to shop around for an item and kept coming across the same price, you probably discovered that item’s MAP.

Rawlings performance products fall into this category. As part of the MAP policy, these performance products also are not eligible for discounts or promotions.

Rawlings performance products are
• Primo gloves
• Pro Preferred gloves
• Heart of the Hide gloves
• 5150 bats
• Custom gloves thru the Pro Glove Builder

The MAP policy also helps to support the technology and development needed for these performance products.

For more than a century, Rawlings has provided the very best baseball and softball products in the world. These quality products are the result of significant investment into the development of the latest product innovations that are designed to enhance the game for both professional and amateur athletes. Rawlings currently holds more glove patents than all other manufacturers combined, and Rawlings’ research and development efforts have led to the introduction of the relevant standards in the industry, including the original Basket-Web and Trap-Eze web gloves. As a result, Rawlings is the number one choice of professional baseball players, with more pros choosing a Rawlings glove than any other brand.

Rawlings Gear’s Customer Care representatives are pros when it comes to Rawlings’ products, and they are committed to helping customers find the equipment, apparel and accessories they need.

Visit RawlingsGear.com today to find the best in Rawlings merchandise, and contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at 866-678-GEAR(4327) with any questions.

Rawlings' Titan Pro Shoulder Pads Feature New Low Profile Design

Rawlings continues to be a forerunner in developing football pads that offer the best protection with the least bulkiness. This year, Rawlings has improved its Titan Pro shoulder pads with a new low profile design.

This lower profile increases a player’s field vision and improves arm mobility.

Titan Pro pads also feature the Air Management II padding system, which has been incorporated into four different arch designs to meet the needs of players at any position.

In addition to the new low profile design, highlights of Titan Pro shoulder pads are:

• Corrugated arches for strength and stability
• A dual curve epaulet and shoulder cap design for increased mobility
• A convoluted foam interior for comfort and protection.

Rawlings' Titan Pro shoulder pads are available in four adult designs.

Style number TTNQB is made for quarterbacks, receivers and kickers. It has an extended split back design for increased flexibility and protection. It is available in sizes S to 2XL.

Style number TTN46 is for tight ends, full backs and running backs and has removable clavicle channel pads for a customized fit. It comes in sizes S to 3XL.

Style number TTN56 is for linemen and linebackers. It is designed for bigger players who need a maximum range of motion and vision on the field. It comes in sizes L to 5XL.

Style number TTN86 is for linebackers, defensive backs, receivers, tight ends and quarterbacks. It combines the features of a heavy-hitting pad with excellent mobility. It comes in sizes M to 2XL.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) for more information on Titan Pro shoulder pads.

Rawlings Gear Features Power Balance Wristband

Take the force with you wherever you go with the new Power Balance Performance Wristband, this week’s featured item at RawlingsGear.com.

The Power Balance wristband has a hologram embedded in it that interacts with your body’s natural energy field to improve your balance, strength and flexibility.

It may sound just a little bit too easy, but this wristband’s benefits have been documented by many people, from elite athletes to those just doing everyday activities. Whether you’re looking for better balance and flexibility or need renewed strength and stamina, you can benefit from wearing the Power Balance wristband.

Wear it 24 hours a day or just when you need a little extra boost of positive energy.

Visit PowerBalance.com for testimonials.

Rawlings Gear carries the Power Balance Performance Wristband in a variety of sizes and colors. The hologram does not need to be flush against your wrist, but it should be within 1 to 3 inches of your skin for the best results.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) to purchase your Power Balance wristband.

Convertible Rawlings Hybrid Bag Improved for This Season

Improved this spring is Rawlings' Hybrid equipment bag, the only Rawlings bag that converts from a bat bag to a duffel bag.

Now 2 inches longer and wider, the Hybrid equipment bag holds up to two bats and includes a ventilated shoe pocket.

It is made of a durable 420d rip stop nylon shell with a 600d polyester bottom and comes with two metal fence clips and an adjustable padded shoulder strap.

The Hybrid bag is available in four colors and is perfect for both baseball and softball players who need a bat bag but want the convenience of a duffel bag.

In an online review, baseball dad Coach Craig of Rochester, N.Y., wrote, “I bought bags for the whole team this year and had them customized for the boys. They are going to love them.”

He was also pleased with Rawlings Gear's Customer Care: “I made a mistake with the order so I called customer service and got a REAL person, no voice prompts, and was actually helped out the first time.”

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) for great deals on all Rawlings equipment bags.

Measure Swing Speed and Improve It with Rawlings Speed Cap

Here’s an equation no hitter can ignore: A 1 mph increase in swing speed equals a 7 foot increase in hit distance.

Measure that swing speed and begin to improve it with Rawlings’ Speed Cap.

The Speed Cap is Rawlings’ patent-pending swing speed measuring device. Exclusive to the Rawlings 5150 line of bats, it is a small cap that attaches to the end of the bat and gives the hitter a digital read-out after he or she takes a full swing.

Once hitters know their swing speed, they can improve it by choosing the 5150bat that suits them best or by beginning a training program with Rawlings 5-Tool Training products designed to improve power hitting and batting average.

Rawlings knows all swings are not equal, which is why one of its missions is to develop bats that fit each unique swing style.

Rawlings’ Speed Cap and Rawlings’ Sci-Flybat fitting system are tools that help each hitter find the right bat. Get custom fit for your next bat and reach your maximum potential.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) for a great deal on the Rawlings Speed Cap.

Visit the Rawlings Custom Glove Pro Shop for a Glove Fit Just for You

Let Rawlings Gear handcraft your next glove to your exact specifications.

Start by building your glove at the Rawlings Custom Glove Pro Shop.

There, you can choose from two of Rawlings’ best leathers, Pro Preferred and Heart of the Hide. You choose the webbing and the size of the glove. Then, you choose the color combination you like best. Add options such as a finger hood or pads inside the palm and index finger.

Personalize it with a flag and your name and number, and you have a glove that was made just for you.

View your final glove design, place your order and in 8-12 weeks, your perfect glove will arrive at your door.

At the Rawlings Custom Glove Pro Shop, you can also customize a pro’s glove. Rawlings gives you the specifications for your favorite player’s glove, and you can change the design and colors to meet your needs.

Custom Rawlings gloves are $399 for Pro Preferred and $299 for Heart of the Hide.

Rawlings Gear can also personalize most of Rawlings’ stock gloves, allowing you to choose a lace color and add a flag to the index finger of the glove. You can also have your glove engraved or add a custom nameplate.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) to build a glove at the Rawlings Custom Glove Pro Shop.

Break Down Your Swing with Rawlings 5-Tool Training Bats and Tees

Big League hitters don’t just happen; they are developed over years of practice.

Get yourself or your Little Leaguer on the right track with tees and bats from Rawlings’ 5-Tool Training Program.

Rawlings has designed two tees for hitting practice: the Pro Tee and the Travel Tee.

The Pro Tee is the most durable hitting tee on the market. It has a weight-balanced bottom for superior stability and adjusts from 21 inches to 36 inches high.

The Travel Tee is made for training on the go. It assembles and breaks down quickly and easily. Like the Pro Tee, it can be adjusted from 21 inches to 36 inches high.

Rawlings’ training bats can help you break down your swing.

The Hand Eye Bat has the same length and feel as your game bat but is made with a 1” barrel to help improve your hand-eye coordination. It is 33 inches long and balanced to give the same feel as a standard –3 bat.

The One Hand Bat Trainer is made from Northern White Ash and is designed to help you break down your swing while practicing one-hand drills. It is 22 inches long and is ideal for soft toss and tee drills.

Training tees and bats are also available as part of several bundled packages that focus on all areas of the 5-Tool Training Program.

Every 5-Tool Training product includes drills and instructions to help you improve your baseball performance. The program was developed by Rawlings and Ripken Baseball.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) for more information on training bats and tees.

Rawlings Introduces a Legendary New Gold Glove Series

Rawlings is introducing a new Gold Glove series—the Gold Glove Legend.

The Gold Glove Legend series was created from the same game-day patterns and position-specific gloves your favorite professional players use. These gloves have been designed with both style and feel in mind.

Gold Glove Legend gloves feature a new look with softer leather, which allows for an easier, quicker break-in. Additionally, PORON® XRD palm pads have been added to ease the ball’s impact on your hand.

PORON® XRD is flexible, lightweight padding that absorbs more than 90 percent of the energy generated by a sizzling hit. This padding is sewn into the palm of every Gold Glove Legend glove. A game-changing material, PORON® XRD gives athletes the power to concentrate on the next play and not be sidetracked by the previous one.

Rawlings has designed seven gloves for the Gold Glove Legend series:

• 12 ¾” outfield glove with Pro H web, style number GG302L. It is also available for the left hand as style number GG302L-RH.
• 11 ½” infield glove with Modified Trap web, style number GG204L; and 11 ½” infield glove with Pro I web, style number GGNP4L.
• 11 ½” pitcher’s glove with 2-Piece Solid web (no white lacing), style number GG209L. It is also available for the left hand as style number GG209L-RH.
• 11 ¾” infield glove with Pro H web, style number GG1175L.
• 12” first base mitt with Single Post web, style number GGTML. It is also available for the left hand as style number GGTML-RH.
• 34” catcher’s mitt with 1-Piece Solid web, style number GGCM4TL.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) to purchase your Gold Glove Legend glove.

Rawlings ST5 Football Combines Durability and Exceptional Grip

Rawlings may be known for being the official supplier of baseballs to the Major Leagues, but Rawlings footballs have earned some endorsements of their own.

Rawlings’ ST5 football is the official football of both the NAIA and NJCAA Championships, and it meets NCAA and NFHS specifications.

Footballs in the ST5 series are all made with the finest-quality materials and are available in several sizes.

The ST5 football uses center-cut Horween leather with Rawlings’ exclusive new “R2-TAC” for a great grip. Neoprene foam backing is used between the leather and the lining. As pointed out at RawlingsGear.com, the ball is easy to wrap your hand around, making it a great ball to lead the passing game.

The ST5 football is a durable, balanced football.

The ball is available in the following sizes: Official, Youth, Junior and Pee Wee.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) for more information on ST5 Pro Preferred footballs.

Rawlings 350 Series of Baseball and Softball Pants Are a Great Fit

RawlingsGear.com customers agree—Rawlings’ 350 series baseball and softball pants are a great fit.

Online reviewers had this to say:

"These are great pants. Great weight and are for sure worth the money. Good stitching and thick where they need to be. I will buy another set and have already recommended these to friends," softball player RockCrawl3r wrote about Rawlings’ Flare Relaxed Fit Pro Weight pants.

“My son is 6'7" and always had trouble finding baseball pants long enough. He absolutely loves these pants, and I love they wash up great and keep their shape,” baseball mom pjf15 of Dayton, Ohio, wrote of the Pro Unhemmed pants.

350 series baseball and softball pants are made from lightweight polyester. They have a zipper fly front with belt loops and an elastic waistband. They feature an embroidered Rawlings oval “R” logo on the left back pocket.

Many styles are available, one of the reasons they have become a popular item.

Styles and style numbers are:

• Hemmed baseball/softball pants (BP350&YBP350)
• Hemmed baseball/softball pants with piping (BP350P&YBP350P)
• Unhemmed baseball/softball pants (BPU350&YBPU350)
• Relaxed Fit or Flared baseball/softball pants (PP350MR&YBP350MR)

The sizing chart can help you find the right fit for you or your ballplayer.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) to purchase baseball or softball pants.

Rawlings Offers Improved Wood Fungo Bat

New to Rawlings’ lineup is an improved wood fungo bat.

This fungo bat comes with a new pro fungo profile and an ultra-light feel. It has a 2.25-inch, hollow barrel and is 35 inches long.

In an online review, GunnersBaseball of Elk Grove, Calif., gave high marks to the new wood fungo: “I think it’s still the easiest fungo to hit with. It's hollow, so be careful if you’re He-Man. The fact that it's hollow, though, gives it great pop and makes it very lightweight!"

Rawlings’ wood fungo bat is available in a variety of team colors and can be engraved for $5.

Fungo bats are specially designed for coaches to hit grounders and pop-ups to players during practice. Because coaches hit many balls during fielding practice, the weight and length of a fungo bat allow the coach to hit balls repeatedly with high accuracy.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) for more information on fungo bats.

Rawlings Is Where Gold Gloves Begin

Rawlings gloves are your best defense on the ball field.

You won't find better quality baseball and softball gloves anywhere else. In fact, it is Rawlings' Gold Glove Award by which the best defense is measured, according to RawlingsGoldGlove.com.

Today's baseball and softball gloves have many features built in to help your game and to suit your ability. These features are customized for function and are designed to meet the needs of every position player.

To understand which glove is best for you, here is a look at the features of a Rawlings glove:

WEB:
The web is the piece that allows for secure control of the ball on impact. It connects the fingers and the thumb. Rawlings introduced the first web in 1906.

LACES:
Laces connect the fingers of the glove and provide shape to the glove. Leather is the preferred lacing material, as it allows the laces to break in as the glove breaks in.

POCKET:
The pocket serves as the primary catching area of the glove. It is the center portion of the glove. Rawlings patented the pocket in 1940 to provide better functionality in the glove. The introduction of the pocket transformed the glove from serving solely as protection to a necessary piece of equipment for fielding the ball. The position you play determines the type of pocket you need.

HEEL:
The heel is the lower portion of the glove, palm side, that provides protection and determines the break of a glove.

BACK:
The reverse palm side of the glove provides fit and shape to the glove and stabilizes your hand on ball impact. Most outfielders use a Fastback®, which provides additional size without loss of control. Most infielders prefer a Conventional back design.

HOLDSTER®:
Rawlings patented the Holdster in 1971 to save wear and tear on your index finger. It is a pear-shaped opening that offers protection for the index finger. Rawlings patented the Laceless Finger Holdster® in 2002 to make this innovation even more comfortable.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) to purchase your glove.

Evolution of Rawlings Heart of the Hide Gloves Continues

Featured this week is Rawlings Heart of the Hide series of gloves, unquestionably one of the finest glove lines in baseball.

The Rawlings HOH glove series originated in 1958, and HOH gloves have been handcrafted from the top 5 percent of steer hides ever since.

The Heart of the Hide Pro Mesh series takes a classic one step farther.

This glove’s backing is a high-end mesh that is specially designed to make it lighter and more breathable, allowing the fielder to react quicker.

New to the Pro Mesh series this spring is model number PRO12VHPM, a 12” pitcher’s glove with a Vertical Hinge Basket web that professional pitchers are starting to use. It’s also available for the left hand under model number PRO12VHPM-RH.

Existing gloves that will stay in the HOH Pro Mesh Series are model numbers PRONP5PM, PRO200-4PM, PRO217-2PM and PROJP2002PM.

Rawlings’ classic line of HOH gloves is the Heart of the Hide series.

This spring, model number PROTB24B has been reinvented. It’s still a 12 ¾” outfielder’s glove with a Trap-Eze web, but the color of the web and laces have changed to make it an all-black glove. It is also available for the left hand under model number PROTB24B-RH.

Existing gloves that will stay in the Heart of the Hide series are model numbers PRO20-9JB, PRODJ2, PROCMHCB2 and PROSCM41B.

Last but not least is the Heart of the Hide Dual Core series.

The HOH leather is tanned softer for a game-ready feel with the durability and consistency that is expected from Rawlings. These gloves feature Rawlings’ Dual Core Technology.

Model number PRO302DC has been added this spring. It is a 12 ¾” outfielder’s glove with a Pro H web. It’s also available for the left hand under model number PRO302DC-RH.

Existing gloves that will stay in the HOH Dual Core series are model numbers PRO12MTDC, PRO17HDC, PRO1175DC, PRO204DC, PRO202DC, PRONP3DC, PRODCTDC and PROJP20DC.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) to purchase your Heart of the Hide glove.

Rawlings’ 5-Tool Training Baseballs for Fielding, Throwing and Hitting

At the core of Rawlings’ 5-Tool Training Program are the baseballs used to improve your game.

Whether you’re focused on your fielding, throwing or hitting, 5-Tool Training baseballs can help you take your game to the next level. Maybe that’s why Rawlings’ 5-Tool Training baseballs are the official training baseball for Major League Baseball.

From leather to plastic to foam, a variety of training baseballs are available at Rawlings Gear.

Among the most popular leather balls are the Big Break Curve, Medium Curve and Fastball training balls. Great for use in the batting cage, these balls are specially designed for the player to work on hitting a specific type of pitch.

Also available are Rawlings’ Reaction Ball, which looks and feels like a regular baseball but has an off-center weight that makes the ball bounce erratically, and the Triple Play Trainer for hitting, fielding and throwing practice.

Pitching machine balls are also available.

Rawlings’ plastic training balls are perfect for soft toss or hitting off a tee to improve hand-eye coordination.

Foam Hit/Curve Trainers are made to practice hitting a variety of breaking pitches.

Training baseballs are sold individually and by the dozen and are also available as part of several bundled packages that focus on all areas of the 5-Tool Training Program.

Every 5-Tool Training product includes drills and instructions to help you improve your baseball performance. The program was developed by Rawlings and Ripken Baseball.

Visit http://www.rawlingsgear.com/baseball/baseball-training/ or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) to purchase your next dozen 5-Tool Training baseballs. (Make sure the link remains a hyperlink.)

Air Management II Pad Technology Featured in Titan Shoulder Pads

Rawlings has long been ahead of the rest in using technologies that provide better protection for football players.

One such technology is the Air Management II padding system, available in Rawlings’ Titan shoulder pads.

Air Management II technology provides improved impact absorption while maintaining a lightweight and comfortable fit. This is done by laminating a layer of closed-cell EVA foam between layers of softer open-cell form and then laminating and sealing it all in an air-tight coated nylon covering.

Parents have been satisfied with the protection the Air Management II system gives their children:

“I searched for weeks trying to find shoulder pads that would give my 8-year-old son a better range for his throwing arm. The youth football pads didn't have much protection near his rib cage or his back. ... I am very impressed with the padding and design of these pads,” Jmac of Winthrop, Mass., wrote in an online review. “You can't put a price on your kid’s safety.”

Titan pads with the Air Management II padding system are available in six arch designs. They come in adult and youth sizes.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) for more information on Titan shoulder pads and the Air Management II padding system.

Rawlings S100 Batting Helmet: Safety up to 100 mph

When Rawlings introduced its S100 batting helmet, which can withstand the impact of a baseball thrown at 100 mph, it didn’t take long to get noticed.

The S100 is the only batting helmet on the market that provides that kind of protection, and because of that, it has been made the official helmet for the Minor Leagues.

Rawlings created this breakthrough in helmet safety when it developed its Advanced Impact Management System (AIMS).

AIMS technology gives the S100 helmet four independent layers of protection.

S100 sizing is designed to provide a snug fit. Players may want to move up a size if they prefer a less snug fit, but a batting helmet should always be worn so that it stays in the correct position as all times.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) for more information on the S100 batting helmet.

Take the Sure Bat by Knowing Your Drop Ratio

There are several ways to choose the baseball or softball bat that’s the right size for you or your athlete. One of these ways is to look at the drop ratio of the bat.

The drop ratio is the bat’s weight in ounces minus its length in inches. The larger the ratio, the easier the bat is to swing. For example, a 28-ounce bat that is 34 inches long has a drop of –6.

A popular drop at the high school and collegiate levels is –3.

Baseball coach boomer40 recently wrote an online review about the 5150 bat with a –3 drop: “This bat is perfect, it looks great, is well balanced and has great feel for the hitter. I coach a 13-14 year old AA team, and this year they transition to a –3 bat from using lighter bats. It is important to make this transition as the rules get tougher.”

Each league has different rules concerning the drop ratio, so it is important to check your league’s rule book when purchasing a bat.

In addition, Rawlings has tools to help you choose your ideal bat. Sci-Fly and SpeedCap technology have turned selecting a bat into science.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) for more information on Rawlings bats and drop ratios.

Six New Models Introduced in Rawlings Pro Preferred Glove Series

Rawlings has created six new models in the Pro Preferred glove series this spring.

• Model number PROS12MTKB is an all-black, 12” pitcher’s/third base glove with a Modified Trap web. It is also available for the left hand under model number PROS12MTKB-RH.

• Model number PROS20BR is a 2-tone, 12” pitcher’s glove with a Basket web. It is also available for the left hand under model number PROS20BR-RH.

• Model number PROS17ICBR is a 2-tone, 11 ¾” infielder’s glove with Pro I web.

• Model number PROS15ICB is an all-black, 11 ½” infield glove with Pro I web.

• Model number PROS15MTBR is a 2-tone, 11 ½” pitcher’s/infielder’s glove with a Modified Trap web. It is also available for the left hand under PROS15MTBR-RH.

• Model number PROSCM20BR is a 2-tone, 32 ½” catcher’s glove with a 1-Piece Closed web.

Rawlings’ Pro Preferred gloves are made from the finest leather—Kip skin leather. This supple leather allows players to break in the glove to their preference, and the glove will keep its shape.

With the introduction of these six new models in the Pro Preferred series, many gloves from last year are being discontinued. If you have been looking at a Pro Preferred glove for a while, now is the time to purchase one. Rawlings Gear has a good supply of last year’s Pro Preferred models.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) for more information on the new Rawlings’ Pro Preferred gloves.

How to Choose a Pitcher’s Glove

As a pitcher, the game is in your hands—Walk confidently to the mound or circle with a top-quality Rawlings glove.

Rawlings has more than 100 gloves perfectly made for pitchers, so use the following tips to find the one that’s just right for you or the pitcher in your family:

• Most importantly, make sure the glove is comfortable on your hand. Its size doesn’t matter as long as you can focus on your pitches.

• Choose a glove with a closed web to hide the ball and your pitching hand. Rawlings Modified Trap webs are tailor-made for this purpose. Other popular web styles for pitchers are the Basket, Basket Connector and Two-Piece Solid webs.

• Consider getting a finger hood to conceal your index finger.

• If you’re a softball player, look for a glove that is a little larger in the pocket and longer in length for betting ball handling.

Jc43 of Ojai, Calif., is happy he choose Rawlings’ Heart of the Hide 12-inch glove: “If you are looking for a glove for pitcher or infielder, this is gonna be a great choice for you. It has a really good web, palm pad, index finger pad and a good look. Once you break in this glove, you are going to find out how amazing it is,” he wrote in an online review.

Ajb2 of Southern California stands by his Sandlot 12-inch glove: “Great glove for pitchers. I play 3-6 games every two weeks, and this glove always performs.”

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) for more information on pitcher’s gloves.

Rawlings ‘AIMS’ for Perfect Protection with Latest Technology

You’ve heard about Rawlings’ AIMS technology, but what does it all mean?

For starters, it means increased protection, comfort and light-weight fit.

AIMS stands for Advanced Impact Management System, and it is used in the new Rawlings S100 batting helmet and in Rawlings football shoulder pads.

AIMS technology makes use of four independent layers of protection. Each layer builds on the previous layer to better protect the athlete.

The layers of protection are:

1. The outer shell
2. A composite insert in critical impact areas
3. The multiple-impact expanded polypropylene (EPP) liner, which spreads out the load on impact, gives increased protection and can take many hits without breaking down
4. ProDri material for superior comfort and moisture management

In baseball and softball, AIMS technology helps the S100 batting helmet withstand the impact of a ball thrown at 100 mph.

In football, AIMS technology allows for a lighter, more flexible shoulder pad that holds up against repeated blows.

It’s just the latest way Rawlings protects you and your children in the games you both play.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) for more information.

Rawlings 5-Tool Training Nets Improved to Better Assist Developing Fielders and Pitchers

New and improved in the Rawlings catalog this spring are three nets to use in practice.

Used in conjunction with other equipment in the 5-Tool Training Program, these nets can help you improve your game, whether your focus is fielding, throwing or hitting.

Rawlings’ Pop Up Net instantly provides a large catching target with an extra-deep net that prevents balls from bouncing out.

It has a 7’ x 7’ steel square frame that is easy to set up and easy to tear down and pack up in its 36” carry bag.

The Pop Up Net is also available as part of a bundled package that focuses on all areas of the 5-Tool Training Program.

Rawlings’ Pro Comebacker net features a Y-shaped design that gives the fielder the choice of practicing ground balls or pop-ups, no adjustment necessary.

It is made with a 48” x 68” tournament-grade pitchback net and a heavy-duty steel frame, which are easy to assemble.

Rawlings’ Comebacker and Pitching Target net has a built-in realistic pitching target that’s perfect for athletes who want to practice their pitching. It also features an easy-to-adjust frame for athletes to practice fielding grounders and fly balls.

Made with a 44” x 61” pitchback net, this net comes with durable, easy-to-adjust elastic clips and assembles quickly.

Every 5-Tool Training product includes drills and instructions to help you improve your baseball performance. The program was developed by Rawlings and Ripken Baseball.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) for more information on 5-Tool Training nets.

Rawlings' Spartan Shoulder Pads Keep a Low Profile

Rawlings' Spartan shoulder pads give a new look to traditional shoulder pads and provide the increased range of motion and flexibility that football players need.

These shoulder pads use a low-profile flat pad construction for excellent field vision and mobility.

Highlights of Spartan series shoulder pads are:

• Durable polyester mesh fabric that provides for a lightweight outer covering
• Perforated EVA foam that allows for air dispersion on contact and provides added impact absorption
• Air impermeable material that forces air around the interior of the pad to increase air dispersion on contact and improve impact absorption
• A strong polyethylene interior arch that serves as the load spreader on impact and is designed to provide a reduction in weight and improved flexibility
• Open cell foam that serves as the final layer of protection and provides a soft, comfortable fit
• Pro Dri Plus anti-microbial moisture-wicking fabric on the interior of the pad that is soft to the touch and provides maximum heat and moisture transfer as well as air circulation

To meet the needs of players of all ages, Rawlings' Spartan series is available in two adult flat-pad arch designs and one youth flat-pad arch design.

For adults, the Skill Position Shoulder Pads are made for corner backs, safeties, quarterbacks, receivers and kickers. The Multi-Purpose Shoulder Pads are made for defensive and offensive linemen, linebackers, tight ends, full backs and running backs.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) for more information on Spartan shoulder pads.