Rawlings Helmets Meet or Exceed NOCSAE Safety Standards

Rawlings designs its equipment with protection in mind.

Rawlings' baseball and softball batting helmets, face guards, catcher's helmets and catcher's face masks meet or exceed safety standards set by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE).

All certified equipment bears the NOCSAE seal. On batting helmets, this appears on the outside rear portion of the shell.

According to NOCSAE.org, these standards are voluntary and have been adopted by most regulatory bodies, including the NCAA and NFHS. Rawlings is committed to meeting these standards.

The NOCSAE is a nonprofit group that seeks to reduce sports-related injuries by improving athletic equipment. The NOCSAE develops performance standards for protective equipment used in baseball, softball, football, hockey, lacrosse, polo and soccer.

While no helmet or mask can prevent all head or neck injuries, equipment that bears the NOCSAE seal has been tested to withstand the impact of a baseball or softball at different angles and at different speeds. Do not use a helmet if the shell is cracked or deformed or if the interior padding is deteriorated.

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

Play by the Rules with Rawlings Baseball and Softball Bats

Knowing which Rawlings bats are certified for the baseball or softball league you play in can make all the difference–It can help you maximize your performance while still falling within the guidelines of your league.

The best way to ensure your Rawlings bat is legal for your league is to review the rule book of the governing body for your league.

The following certifications are for the largest governing bodies in baseball and softball.

BESR Certification for NCAA and NFHS
The Baseball Research Center serves as the official certification center for all baseball bats used by the NCAA and NFHS. Each bat must pass testing in the Baseball Research Center at the University of Massachusetts–Lowell. This certification is known as the Baseball Exit Speed Ratio (BESR) certification. Refer to the NFHS Baseball Rule Book for Rule 1-3-2 and Rule 1-3-4, which pertain to the use of bats for high school play.

USSSA Certification
The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) has different rules regarding approved bats based on age. Refer to the official USSSA Rule Book (Rule 8.02.E) for the appropriate standard for your age group.

ASA Certification
The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) certification for bats must follow Rule 3, Section 1 to be certified by the ASA for play and signify this by bearing a stamp on the bat.

ISA Certification
The Independent Softball Association (ISA) has different rules for bats for slow pitch and fast pitch softball. Refer to the official ISA Rule Book for standards and certifications.

NSA Certification
The National Softball Association (NSA) publishes a list of approved bats and ball manufacturers on its website. Refer to the NSA’s list of approved equipment.

ISF Certification
The International Softball Federation (ISF) uses the ASTM high-speed batted ball test to determine which bats are allowed to be used in ISF World Championships, World Cups, the Olympic Games and qualifying tournaments. Refer to the ISF’s Rules and Standards for a list of certified bats.

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

It's Easy to Choose the Right Rawlings Glove

Rawlings Gear is here to help you choose the right Rawlings glove for your needs. Just remember three important components: fit, feel and style.

FIT:
Your glove should slide on and off your hand easily, without being loose. Look for a close, snug fit that’s comfortable but not tight.

FEEL:
The more you play, the more you’ll determine what feels best to you. As a general rule, your glove should be stiff enough to give strength and flexible enough to give control and agility. The glove should provide freedom of motion without being floppy. Some players prefer a stiffer glove they can break in to their liking, whereas other players want a glove that’s game-ready off the shelf. Don’t be afraid to try on several different Rawlings gloves to see what feels right to you!

STYLE:
The position you play will determine the style of glove you need. If you are an infielder, look for a glove that is smaller, between 10-1/2 and 11-1/2 inches. If you are an outfielder, look for a glove between 12 and 12-1/2 inches with deeper pockets. Catchers and first basemen use unique styles with more padding to catch the ball.

All Rawlings gloves are made from the best leather and in patterns that show you are a serious player.

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

Embroidery on Equipment Bags

We have added another way to personalize your baseball equipment - equipment bags. It only costs an extra $10 to add your name or number to the SIDEKICK equipment bag. As an introductory offer today thru 1/26, you can buy the SIDEKICK equipment bag for only $19.99 and get the Personalization FREE. That means the bat bag ends up costing you $9.99 - its a sweet deal! We will be adding personalization to other equipment bags over the next couple of weeks. Order a SIDEKICK bag for you or the whole team today!

Glove Blowout - Up to 50% Off

We are clearing out inventory of gloves to make room for the new 2011 Rawlings gloves that will be introduced in April 2010. We have Gold Gloves, youth gloves, fast pitch gloves, and more with savings up to 50%. You can only get this price on select gloves while supplies last. Start Shopping Now!

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)