A legendary name in baseball equipment, Rawlings is currently the official supplier of baseballs to Major League Baseball (MLB) and the unofficial, though dominant, supplier of gloves and related gear to both MLB and Minor League Baseball.
Founded by the Rawlings brothers of Saint Louis in 1897, Rawlings is now a joint venture of the private equity firm, the Seidler Group and MLB Properties which is interesting only because MLB has complete control over the construction of the official balls used in MLB games and has feigned ignorance when questioned about their role in altering the design to either promote or discourage home runs.
Independent tests of the balls have routinely shown that during periods of enhanced offense, the balls have been wrapped significantly tighter to enhance their velocity off the bat.
The balls themselves are manufactured in a closely guarded facility in Costa Rica and despite being synonymous with "horsehide" over the years, cowhide has traditionally been the cover of choice.
All that to say that Rawlings remains a venerable name around the grand old game as my 30 y/o outfielders glove and messenger bag can attest. Tight ball or not, I still can't hit. Five cowhide stars. read more
