Rawlings Aluminum Bats Are Made to Last

For a durable bat with a lot of pop, choose a Rawlings aluminum bat.

Aluminum bats are made either from pure aluminum or with aluminum alloys and have single-wall or double-wall barrels.

New alloys and processes such as cryogenic treatment have improved the strength of aluminum bats to the point that they are virtually unbreakable.

Bat design and higher-strength materials have allowed for aluminum bats to become lighter, enabling players to record greater swing speeds.

Thinner barrel walls have created a trampoline effect, giving batted balls greater distance.

In addition, aluminum bats have a wider sweet spot, giving the hitter a larger area to get a solid hit.

Rawlings' 5150 Exogrid with Ph.D, 5150 Alloy and Plasma bats are a few of the aluminum bats Rawlings Gear carries.

Aluminum bats were introduced in the 1970s and performed similar to wood bats. Years of innovation have led aluminum bats to outperform wood bats today.

These advances in technology have led some leagues to review their use of aluminum bats. New York City, for example, has banned aluminum bats from all youth leagues.

Since many leagues have changed their certifications and testing for the 2010-11 season, 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.

Read our previous articles on bat certifications, bat series and different types of Rawlings bats in our News section at RawlingsGear.com.

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

Rawlings Composite Bats Get Better With Every Swing

Maximize your bat speed, power and control with a Rawlings' composite bat.

Composite bats are lighter than aluminum bats, which helps a hitter increase bat speed.

Their flexible handles, large barrels and large sweet spots make for better power numbers.

And, when fully broken in, composite fibers begin to loosen, helping the bats reach top performance—even outperforming aluminum bats.

Composite bats first became available in the mid-1980s, but they quickly disappeared because they didn't perform as well as aluminum and didn't produce that popular "ping" sound.

In the early 2000s, however, composite bats became the go-to bat in softball. Since then, they've become immensely popular, challenging aluminum bats in both durability and performance.

Today, there is a wide variety of composite choices, including all-composite bats, bats with composite handles and aluminum barrels, bats with composite outer shells over aluminum barrels and even some all-composite double-wall bats.

Rawlings' 5150 Composite and X-Treme Performance bats have 100 percent composite frames with multi-wall barrels.

To reach optimal performance, composite bats need to be broken in.

Here are some tips for breaking in a composite bat:

• Use real baseballs when breaking in a composite bat.
• It takes 100 to 200 hits to break in a composite bat, and some bats take longer than others.
• Hit live balls thrown at 40 mph or better for best results. A pitching machine works well if it is set up to throw leather baseballs. Hitting off a tee will not break in a composite bat very effectively.
• Each time you make good contact, turn the barrel about 1/8 so you break in the bat evenly.

Because composite bats perform better as they are broken in, some leagues have restricted their use. In addition, composite bats have a reputation for performing poorly or even breaking in weather that is cooler than 65 degrees.

Since many leagues have changed their certifications and testing for the 2010-11 season, 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.

Read our previous articles on bat certifications, bat series and different types of Rawlings bats in our News section at RawlingsGear.com.

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

Four Levels of Play for Rawlings Bats

Rawlings Gear carries the bat you need, no matter your level of play.

Rawlings bats can be divided into four levels.

Adult or High School/College bats are for ages 13 and up. They are approved for use in most high school and college leagues.

The bat barrel is 2-5/8 inches in diameter. Bat lengths range from 30 inches to 34 inches. Bat weight is measured in weight drop, which must be -3. Most leagues require an approved BESR and BBCOR bat certification.

A Rawlings Senior League bat can help your player make the transition from grade school to high school.

Also known as “big barrel” bats because of their larger barrel size, Senior League bats are made for ages 10-13. Many traveling teams use them.

The bat barrel is available in 2-5/8 inches (high school regulation) and 2-3/4 inches (big barrel). Bat lengths range from 28 inches to 32 inches. Heavier bats are about -5 weight drop; lighter bats are about -11.

Youth or Little League bats are for ages 7-12. They are used in youth leagues including Little League, Babe Ruth, Dixie Youth, PONY and AABC. All Rawlings youth bats are approved for play in all youth leagues.

The bat barrel is 2-1/4 inches in diameter. Bat lengths range from 28 inches to 32 inches. Weight drop varies. Heavier bats are about -7 weight drop; lighter bats are about -13.

T-Ball bats are for ages 5-7. They are generally used in T-ball and coach-pitch leagues.

The bat barrel is 2-1/4 inches in diameter. Bat lengths range from 25 inches to 27 inches. Weight drop is -12.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) for information on choosing the right level Rawlings bat for you or your athlete.

Rawlings’ Pro Taper Gloves Are PERFECT for Youth Athletes

If you’re looking for a new glove for your child, let Rawlings introduce you to its Pro Taper gloves in the Signature and Gold Glove Gamer series.

Pro Taper gloves are ideal for 8- to 11-year-old athletes who play at least 40 games per year.

Rawlings Gear recommends a Pro Taper glove for the player who is ready to move into a better glove, but whose hand is still too small for a Rawlings Heart of the Hide, Pro Preferred or Primo glove.

The Gold Glove Gamer Pro Taper series is new and includes three gloves:

• 10-¾” infield glove with Pro I web (model number GG1075G)
• 11” infield glove with a Single Post web (model number GG1100G)
• 11-¼” pitcher’s/infield glove with Modified Trap web (model number GG1125G). It is also available for left handers under model number GG1125G-RH.

The Signature series features gloves that are replicas of the ones Chase Utley, Derek Jeter, Torii Hunter and Pedro Martinez use. The Pro Taper design provides better control for younger players who want a pro-style glove.

Signature series gloves are:

• 11.25” baseball glove with a Pro I web (model number CU26), a game-day replica of Utley's glove.
• 11.5” baseball glove with a Basket web (model number DJ2), a game-day replica of Jeter’s glove. It is also available for left handers under model number DJ2-RH.
• 12.25” baseball glove with a Trap-Eze web (model number TH48), a game-day replica of Hunter’s glove. It is also available for left handers under model number TH48-RH.
• 11.25” baseball glove with a Modified Trap-Eze web (model number PM45), a game-day replica of Martinez’s glove. It is also available for left handers under model number PM45-RH.

These gloves are all labeled infield gloves, but they can be used in the outfield as well. Young athletes often play several positions, and the Pro Taper glove can move with them around the field.

Rawlings Gear’s Customer Care representatives are experts on Pro Taper gloves and all of Rawlings’ products, and they are committed to helping you find the right glove for your young ballplayer.

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

Start Your Game Prep with Rawlings PRO5 Practice and Rubber Footballs

Make your practices count with Rawlings' PRO5 practice footballs.

Styled from the PRO5 football series, practice footballs are identical to their in-game counterparts but have minor cosmetic blemishes.

The PRO5 football has a four-ply TPU bladder that forms a better shape, holds in air and locks out moisture. Thick, high-strength composite lacing makes for improved grip, feel and control.

Rawlings Gear carries these PRO5 practice footballs:

• Youth size practice football (model number PRO5YP)
• Junior size practice football (model number PRO5JRP)

Rawlings Gear also carries the PRO5R rubber football series. Similar to the PRO5 series, this ball is made with a molded waterproof rubber cover, ideal for playing in wet conditions.

The PRO5R rubber football also features composite laces and a butyl bladder for improved air retention.

PRO5 rubber footballs are:

• Official size rubber football (model number PRO5RB)
• Youth size rubber football (model number PRO5RYB)
• Junior size rubber football (model number PRO5RJRB)
• Pee Wee size rubber football (model number PRO5RPWB)

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) to buy your practice or rubber footballs.

Rawlings Introduces New Chest Protectors, Leg Guards

Catchers, keep the ball in front of you and control rebounds better with Rawlings' new catcher's equipment.

RawlingsGear.com is carrying three new catching series: 950X, XRD and Titan.

The 950X Series features a new chest protector and new leg guards with a three-dimensional style.

• The 950X Chest Protector (model number CP950X) incorporates PORON® XRD™ to provide the best ball control. Power Balance technology is embedded into the back harness. Rawlings' Dynamic Fit System creates a custom fit, with removable shoulder caps and an adjustable back harness. Yadier Molina and Geovany Soto wear this style chest protector.
• The 950X Leg Guards (model number LG950X) incorporate PORON® XRD™ in the knee for impact absorption. These leg guards feature reinforced shin pad inserts and Pro-Dri covered adjustable internal padding for moisture management and comfort.

The XRD Series features a new chest protector and new leg guards with a Pro look and feel.

• The XRD Chest Protector (model number XRDCP) also incorporates PORON® XRD™ for unbeatable ball control. Power Balance technology is also embedded in this chest protector. Rawlings' Dynamic Fit System provides optimal fit, with a customizable neck roll, removable shoulder caps and an adjustable back harness.
• The XRD Leg Guards (model number XRDLG) feature the Advanced Impact Management System (AIMS) for added protection and incorporate PORON® XRD™ in the knee for impact absorption. These leg guards feature reinforced shin pad inserts and Pro-Dri covered adjustable internal padding for moisture management and comfort.

The Coolflo Highlight Hockey Style Catcher’s Helmet is the perfect complement to the 950X and XRD series. Adult (model number HLCH1S) and youth (model number HLCH2S) helmets are available.

The Titan Series features a new chest protector and leg guards.

• The Titan Chest Protector (model number TTNCP) features Rawlings' Dynamic Fit System for optimal fit with a flat front to keep ball rebounds close and in front of the body. Removable shoulder caps and an adjustable back harness make for a custom fit.
• The Titan Leg Guards (model number TTNLG) have a conforming full shin design for comfort and mobility and Pro-Dri covered adjustable internal padding for moisture management and comfort.

These new series come in adult, intermediate, and youth sizes and are available in eight new colors: black, cardinal red, dark green, maroon, navy blue, purple, royal blue and scarlet.

RawlingsGear.com can personalize your 950X or XRD chest protector with your name. Just choose the personalization option when adding to your cart.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) to special order your Rawlings catcher’s equipment.

The Next Great Players Use Rawlings' Professional Wood Bats

Rawlings reserves the top 15 percent of wood for its bats labeled “Professional.” These bats are used in the Minor Leagues.

Like Rawlings' Pro Preferred wood bats, Professional bats have a high-gloss, ultra-protective clear finish.

They are made with a flared knob and a cupped end. The Pro cupped end takes weight out of the bat, making it lighter and moving the balance point toward the hands.

Also like Pro Preferred bats, Professional bats use assorted Major League profiles.

A new bat it the Professional model series is an ash wood bat with a 2-½” barrel and a Pro cupped end. It is the same profile and shape as the bat Joe Mauer swings. Find it at RawlingsGear.com under model number JM77AP.

Other Professional wood bats in the series are: model number 271MAP (maple), 460MAP (maple), 271BAP (ash), 460AP (ash), 288RJAP (ash), 143BAP (ash), 350BKAP (ash), 155BAP (ash) and 433AP (ash).

The 155BAP ash wood bat and is great for wood bat tournaments.

For safety, all maple bats carry the Pro Ink Dot Test on the handle.

Major League Baseball requires this test because of the way maple bats shatter when they break. The ink dot bleeds in the direction of the wood grain, allowing the straightness of the grain to be measured. According to MLB, the straighter the grain, the stronger the bat. These bats should be hit on face of grain.

When you order through Rawlings Gear, you can have your name and number engraved on select wood bats.

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