Tips for Washing Your Rawlings Apparel

Keep your uniform looking like the day you got it with these tips from Rawlings:

LAUNDERING PREPARATION
• Garments should be washed separately before initial use.
• For best results and maximum wear, uniforms should be laundered immediately after each game, in cold water.
• The rinse cycle should also be set for cold water.
• Garments that cannot be cleaned promptly after wearing should be hung individually on rust-proof hangers or hooks. Perspiration fading may occur if wet garments are left in a pile.
• After a game, inspect uniforms for snags or tears and make repairs before washing to prevent further damage.
• Remove all contrast color items, such as belts, from garments before laundering and wash them separately.
• Before laundering a load of new uniforms, a sample garment should be washed according to care label instructions.
• Prior to washing, turning the garments inside out will help preserve the twill or perma-print lettering.
• Do not wash uniforms with other items, such as towels.

SOAKING
• Heavily soiled garments should be soaked in lukewarm water with a protein release agent for a maximum of 45 minutes.
• Spray on products such as Spray’n Wash® or Shout® and leave on for 15 minutes to absorb before washing.
• Products such as Stick Stain® or Shout Gel® can be rubbed on stubborn stains and left overnight for washing the next day as well.
• For blood stains, it is best to rinse in cold water as soon as possible, and if necessary, soak in cold water before washing.
• One of the above pre-treatments or an oxygen based laundry booster such as Oxy Clean® can also be used for blood stains.
• An oxygen based laundry booster such as Oxy Clean® can also be used to eliminate odor.
• For ink stains, use hair spray. Simply spray on and rub until the ink is gone, then wash as normal.
• Immediately after soaking, garments should be run through a normal wash cycle.

WASHING
• Do not overload the washer.
• Do not wash white and colored garments together.
• All garments should be washed in cold water. Rinse water temperature should not vary more than a few degrees from wash water temperature.
• Use a mild detergent (ph under 10.0) for washing uniforms.
• The water level in the washing machine should be kept high to hold down mechanical action. Only when uniforms are extremely soiled should the water level be lowered to increase mechanical action.
• Avoid overloading the machine because it can cause garments to shrink.
• Use an anti-static agent such as Bounce® dryer sheets, especially on garments to be tumble dried, to minimize lint attraction and spark discharge.

BLEACH
• Never use a chlorine bleach on any garment, as it fades colors and weakens some materials.
• Do not use bleach on any garment that contains spandex or carries braid, trim or embroidery.
• When bleach is required on all-white garments, use a light application of an oxygen based bleach.

DRYING
• For best results, garments (particularly those containing spandex) should be hung to drip dry.
• Do not dry uniforms on high heat.
• If you must use a dryer, use a damp dry or air dry setting. High heat can cause clothes to shrink, Perma-Print® ink to crack and twill to wrinkle.
• When tumble drying, use the lowest temperature or “air” setting. The uniforms will stick together, especially those with Perma-Print® ink.
• Remove garments promptly from dryer.

DRY CLEANING
• Do not dry clean any of your uniforms.

STORING
• Garments should be completely dry before storing.
• Store uniforms in a cool, dry area protected from sunlight and fluorescent light. This will prevent mildew and yellowing.

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

Rawlings' Leather Goods Will Last as Long as Your Glove

Take Rawlings' top-quality leather with you wherever you go with leather goods from Rawlings Gear.

RawlingsGear.com carries portfolios, laptop cases, wallets, card cases, luggage tags, key chains, coasters, travel kits, messenger bags, duffel bags and backpacks.

They're all made from the same Heart of the Hide and Player Preferred leather as your favorite glove.

Heart of the Hide leather is handcrafted from the top 5 percent of steer hides. It is a smooth leather and is available in tan or black, depending on the item.

Player Preferred leather is a buttery soft leather that feels like an already-broken-in glove. It is a pebble grain leather and is also available in tan or black, depending on the item.

Rawlings leather items will last as long as your glove. They get softer and comfortably weathered over time.

Limited quantities are available.

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

Rawlings Makes Official Softballs Too

Rawlings may be known for its official Major League baseballs, but it makes a pretty formidable softball too.

Rawlings' softballs are made in the official optic-yellow color of the NCAA and NAIA. Optic-yellow softballs are fast becoming the standard for all levels of play.

All Rawlings softballs have a durable polyurethane center. Official fast pitch softballs have Rawlings' patented Superstitch raised seam and Core Bond adhesive.

RawlingsGear.com carries the following softballs:

• NFHS approved 12” fast pitch softball (model number NFHS12Y47L)
• ASA approved 11” fast pitch softball (model number ASA11Y47L) and 12” softball (model number ASA12Y47L)
• Little League approved 11” fast pitch softball (model number LL11Y47L) and 12” softball (model number LL12Y47L)
• Babe Ruth Softball approved 11” fast pitch softball (model number BRO11Y47L) and 12” softball (model number BRO12Y47L)
• 11” fast pitch softball with composite cover (model number OL11Y47S) and 12” softball (model number OL12Y47S)
• 12” fast pitch softball with leather cover (model number OL12Y47LX)

RawlingsGear.com also carries the following slow pitch softballs:

• ASA Silverback 12” softball with leather cover (model number SBA12Y44L)
• ASA Silverback 12” softball with composite cover (model number SBA12Y44S)

RawlingsGear.com has three training softballs available – 10”, 11” and 12”.

Rawlings' recreational softballs are 12” white softballs (model number SB3). These are more commonly used in slow pitch competition.

Rawlings softballs can be purchased individually or by the dozen.

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

RawlingsGear.com Has Your Youth League Ball

It's hard to find a youth league for which Rawlings doesn't provide the official baseballs.

Rawlings supplies official tournament grade and competition grade balls to the USSSA, AAU, Little League, Senior Little League, Babe Ruth Baseball, Cal Ripken Baseball, Pony League, Dixie Baseball League (Boys Majors and Youth), Dizzy Dean Baseball and Nations Baseball.

Tournament grade baseballs are high quality. They are made with the same cushioned cork center technology as Major League baseballs.

Competition grade baseballs are made with a composite cork and rubber center. They have a full-grain leather cover for durability and raised seams for improved grip.

RawlingsGear.com carries the following model numbers for each league:

League Model Numbers
USSSA R200USSSA, ROLBUSSSA and ROLB1USSSA

AAU AAU2 and AAU3

Little League Baseball and Softball RLLB, RLLB1, RSLL and RSLL1

Cal Ripken Baseball RCAL and RCAL1

Babe Ruth League RBRO and RBRO1

Pony League RPLB and RPLB1

Dixie Baseball League RDYB and RDYB1

Dixie Boys & Majors RDBM and RDBM1

Dizzy Dean Baseball RDZY and RDZY1

Nations Baseball RNBTA


Rawlings official league baseballs can be purchased individually or by the dozen.

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

Personalize Your Next Glove With Laser Engraving From Rawlings Gear

Personalizing your Rawlings' glove doesn't have to cost a lot.

RawlingsGear.com offers custom laser engraving for $15.

Purchase your glove and have your name, your team's name or your number engraved on it. Laser engraved gloves can be shipped in 12-14 business days.

Choose script or block letters, and use up to 15 characters. View samples of laser engraved gloves.

"I purchased this glove for my 8-year-old son. He loves it, and it was soft and flexible right out of the box. Now he can retire his old glove! I had it laser engraved—well worth the extra for that as well," wrote D9SMOM of Middleburg, Fla., in an online review. She purchased a Gold Glove Legend 11.50 inch baseball glove (model number GGNP4L) for her son.

Note that laser engraving on black leather will result in a tone-on-tone effect, creating a subtle, embossed look. If it is important that the engraving stand out, consider purchasing a tan or brown glove.

Engraving can be done only at the time of purchase.

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

How to Choose a Shortstop's Glove

Command the infield with the right shortstop's glove.

Here are some tips for selecting your Rawlings shortstop's glove:

• Control is the key for a shortstop glove. Shortstops need quicker hand movement than any other fielder.
• Go with a smaller/mid-size glove with a shallow pocket. A shallow pocket allows you to find the ball quicker and turn two.
• Demand an open web. It will help you get the ball out of your glove quicker on double plays.

One of RawlingsGear.com's most popular shortstop's gloves is the Heart of the Hide 11.5 inch Baseball Glove (model number PRODJ2), a glove developed by shortstop Derek Jeter.

The glove is built to Jeter's personal preferences.

Mickeyd of Utica, N.Y., recently wrote at online review of his PRODJ2: "Been playing baseball and softball (slow and fast pitch) as an infielder for 45 years. This is the best glove that I have owned. This is an outstanding fielder's glove for the price."

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

New Rawlings' Football Pants Now Available

Several new styles of football pants are now available at RawlingsGear.com.

Whether your player needs integrated or slotted pants, RawlingsGear.com has the right football apparel to meet your needs. Integrated pants have the pads built in; slotted pants have up to 14 slots for hip, thigh and knee pads to be inserted.

RawlingsGear.com carries these integrated football pants:

• Adult Integrated Game Football Pants (model number F4500P) have an elastic waist and a built-in belt. They are 92 percent nylon/8 percent Lycra and include hip, spine, thigh and knee pads. The pants are washable and are available in six colors and in sizes XS to 3XL. This style also comes in a youth version (model number F2500P) in sizes S to 2XL.
• Youth Integrated Practice Football Pants (model number F1500P) also have an elastic waist with a built-in belt, but are 100 percent polyester. They include hip, spine, thigh and knee pads. The pants are washable and are available in black and white and in sizes X to 2XL.

RawlingsGear.com carries these slotted football pants:

• Performance Grade Adult Slotted Game Football Pants (model number F45NF) are Lycra and have 12 slots. They are available in six colors and in sizes XS to 3XL.
• Premium Adult Slotted Game Football Pants (model number F4535) are 92 percent nylon/8 percent Lycra and have 14 slots. They are available in 12 colors and in sizes XS to 3XL.
• Adult Slotted Game or Practice Pants (model number TITANIUM) are made from a soft touch mechanical stretch fabric and have 14 slots. They are available in black and white and in sizes XS to 3XL.
• Adult Slotted Game or Practice Pants (model number F45014) are 100 percent polyester and have 14 slots. They are available in white and in sizes XS to 3XL.
• Premium Youth Slotted Game Football Pants (model number F2540) are 92 percent nylon/8 percent Lycra and have 10 slots. They are available in 12 colors and in sizes XS to XL. Pee wee pads may be necessary for XS, S and M sizes.

Rawlings also offers adult girdles (model number FGP) and youth girdles (model number YFGP) with built-in pads. They are 82 percent polyester/18 percent Lycra. These girdles are washable and include two pads for the hip and one for the spine. They are available in white only and come in adult sizes XS to 3XL and youth sizes S to XL.

Also, check out Rawlings' Zoombang compression shirts and girdles, which absorb 80 percent of impact and are constructed from Pro-Dri fabric. Read more about Zoombang compression shirts and girdles.

Don’t forget your belt! Rawlings has one-size fits all belts (model number FBELT) in 10 colors.

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