Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, a subsidiary of Jarden Corporation, announced new 3-year pacts with the Australian Baseball League (ABL) and Baseball Australia, establishing Rawlings as the official baseball, batting helmet and catchers' gear Provider for both organizations. Both deals run through the 2016-17 baseball season.
ADVERTISEMENT "Australia continues to be a robust growth market for Rawlings," said Kurt Hunzeker, senior director of global brand marketing for St. Louis, Missouri-based Rawlings. "As a proud partner of the ABL since its inaugural year in 2010, Rawlings is committed to doing everything we can to help grow the game across the continent. Coupled with Major League Baseball opening the 2014 Championship Season in Australia, Rawlings' new partnership with Baseball Australia provides us a great opportunity to engage would-be Australian players of all ages and skill levels and introduce them to Rawlings' legendary baseball product lines."
Rawlings' agreements with Baseball Australia and the ABL join its expansive roster of equipment adoptions and official designations by baseball organizations worldwide. Rawlings is the Official Ball Supplier and Batting Helmet of Major League Baseball?and the World Baseball Classic(TM), the Official Baseball of Minor League Baseball(TM), and the Official Bat, Baseball and Batting Helmet of Baseball Canada(TM).
The partnership with Rawlings exemplifies the all-of-sport approach baseball in Australia has adopted by securing joint partners for its professional league and government association.
"Rawlings has stood by our side since the inception of the ABL," said Peter Wermuth, chief executive officer of Sydney-based ABL. "The opportunity to align with a company with such a storied sports history such as Rawlings is a great win for our league, and demonstrates that global companies are taking notice of the growth of baseball in Australia."
Baseball Australia began using Rawlings baseballs during its national tournaments this month, with Rawlings also becoming the title sponsor of Baseball Australia's U14 and U16 national championships as part of the agreement.
"Baseball Australia is proud to announce their new partnership with Rawlings," said Brett Pickett, chief executive officer of Gold Coast, Queensland-based Baseball Australia. "To have the support of one of the premier sporting good providers for baseball is not only significant, but continues to validate that we are on the right track for the evolution of the sport."
In an effort to introduce the game of baseball to more Australians, Hunzeker also announced the launch of Rawlings National Play Catch Month(TM). The month-long, #RawlingsPlayCatch campaign beginning in March 2014 celebrates the game of baseball in its simplest form - a game of catch between family and friends.
