Author: Tim Dierkes

Iconic Baseball Brand Releases Limited-Edition Gloves Highlighting Legendary Rock Band

Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc., is the official game ball, glove, helmet, face guard and base of Major League Baseball® and the creator of the renowned Rawlings Gold GloveAward®.

In a highly anticipated collaboration with the Grateful Dead, Rawlings has announced the creation of three limited-edition glove models bearing the widely-recognized logos and designs associated with the generation-spanning musical group.

The gloves dropped exclusively on Rawlings.com at 11am EST on June 6th and are also available at the “Rawlings Experience,” the brand’s flagship location in St. Louis, MO.

“Our partnership with the Grateful Dead appealed to us given we both have a long history of innovation which we’ve tapped into to attract new fans over the course of several decades,” said Eric Reinsfelder, vice-president of brand and sports marketing for Rawlings.

“Our new glove collection with the Grateful Dead is the perfect blend of pioneering design mixed with nostalgic elements of two iconic American brands.”

Fans can select from three models: either the “Skull and Roses,” “Dancing Bears,” or “Steal Your Face” logos made popular through the years by the Grateful Dead’s loyal fans, also fondly referred to as “Dead Heads.”

Click here for more info!

These REV1X™ series gloves are marked by a synthetic back infused with unique technology that yields a sturdy, 3D shape with a Heart of the Hide® leather palm for added durability and quality. Additionally, each glove is constructed with an optimized lattice structure that provides variable stiffness in the pinky and thumb area significantly reducing weight. A lace-less web design combined with an adaptive fit system ensures ultimate fielding ability and a custom, tailored fit. Further, each glove within the collection is individually numbered.

The gloves retail for $449.95 with 120 of each of the three models available for purchase on Rawlings.com.

About Rawlings
Established in 1887, Rawlings is an innovative leading global brand and manufacturer of premium baseball and softball equipment, including gloves, balls, and protective headwear. Rawlings’ unparalleled quality, innovative engineering and expert craftsmanship are the fundamental reasons why more professional athletes, national governing bodies and sports leagues choose Rawlings. Rawlings is the official baseball, glove, helmet, face guard and base of Major League Baseball®, the official baseball of Minor League Baseball® and the official baseball and softball of the NCAA® and the NAIA®.

Rawlings acquired Easton Diamond Sports®, the official equipment supplier of Little League® Baseball and Softball, Team USA Softball®, and USSSA® Softball, in 2020. The company is headquartered in St. Louis. For more information, please visit www.Rawlings.com.

About the Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead is a social and musical phenomenon that grew into a genuine American treasure. In 1965, an entire generation was linked together by common ideals, gathering by the hundreds and thousands. This movement created a seamless connection between the band and its fans. As the band toured, Dead Heads would follow. Not because it was a part of popular culture but because it is a true counterculture that exists to this very day – one that earnestly believes in the value of its beliefs.

By 1995, the Grateful Dead had attracted the most concertgoers in the history of the music business, and today remains one of the all-time leaders in concert ticket sales. Eventually, the caravan evolved into a community with various artists, craftsmen and entrepreneurs supplying a growing demand for merchandise that connected them to the music. Today, the connection is as strong as ever. The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and received a GRAMMY® Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. Their final tally of 2,318 total concerts remains a world record. The Grateful Dead recently celebrated their 60th Top 40 album on the Billboard chart, a feat no other group has achieved.

The following is a paid advertisement from Rapsodo. Rapsodo is the leading provider of baseball analytics technology, offering simulators that combine high-speed cameras and radar to capture and analyze athlete performance metrics. From pitch velocity and spin rate to launch angle and exit velocity, Rapsodo’s products provide comprehensive data to help pitchers refine their mechanics, hitters improve their swings, and coaches make data-driven decisions to enhance team performance.

Rapsodo Introduces Newest Product: PRO 2.0

Rapsodo is on a mission to provide athletes everywhere the tools they need to play like never before. From Shohei Ohtani and the best prospects in this year’s MLB Draft to athletes playing at the youth level, Rapsodo continues to push the boundaries of player development.

The industry leaders in baseball technology have announced their newest product: PRO 2.0. PRO 2.0 Ball Flight Monitor is a versatile, user-friendly solution that empowers coaches to see the game differently, unlock player potential, and lead their programs to new heights.

With 2 cameras and radar to track full-ball flight, coaches and athletes have the power to track pitching metrics, hitting metrics, or both. Meticulously designed to help coaches benchmark, track, and transform how players perform, PRO 2.0 is equipped with everything you need to round out your entire coaching arsenal.

The newest product in Rapsodo’s lineup combines their older HITTING 2.0 and PITCHING 2.0 units into one, while allowing teams to only pay for what they need.

Player Development

Train your whole squad with a single device and seamlessly switch between Pitching and Hitting modes without missing a beat.

PRO 2.0 lets you analyze pitch dynamics and perfect swings all in the same training session. Take your players from Hitting Mode to Pitching Mode to Beast Mode.

The real-time insights from PRO 2.0 helps you break down each player’s hitting or pitching performance to see what’s working, where to improve, and how to transform their game.

Whether it’s tweaking a grip or fine-tuning a stance, PRO 2.0’s instant video replay provides immediate and accurate feedback on every pitch or hit.

The versatile views for basic or advanced data lets coaches choose the metrics that matter most. Dive deep into the data with over 17 hitting and pitching metrics or keep things simple by picking only the data points most important to you.

Competitive Play

PRO 2.0 takes competitive play to a new level, turning every practice into a highlight reel. For the most ambitious players, it’s not about measuring up against others; it’s about beating yesterday’s benchmarks.

With PRO 2.0, everyone can see progress made in real time-from coaches to teammates and potential scouts. When every moment is a chance for players to prove themselves, PRO 2.0 ensures not a single pitch or swing goes unnoticed.

Taking the competition one step farther, PRO 2.0 brings the field to your cage with enhanced 3D simulation that lets you analyze spray charts and pitch tunnel visuals with unparalleled accuracy.

See a player’s pitch from the eyes of the hitter or watch the ball fly off the bat and over the fences. With PRO 2.0, the game is always in session, wherever you are.

Recruitment

Data is the new currency. Now, more than ever, players can get noticed by coaches without having to attend showcases or spend money traveling around the country.

Get the robust data you need to propel every player forward and turn their hard work into tangible opportunities. PRO 2.0’s auto-generated single or multi-session reports provide the detailed data dashboards you need for immediate review or in-depth analysis later. Plus, it’s quick and easy to share with players, parents, and future scouts.

Track an athlete’s journey to greatness with PRO 2.0’s Lifetime Stats Database. Every pitch, every swing, and every milestone is captured and uploaded to the Rapsodo Cloud, providing coaches, players, and parents with immediate access to a comprehensive performance history-from session to session, season to season-with improvements made over time.

The path to the Pro has never been more clear.

Some additional features of PRO 2.0 include:

• Reinforced cage to protect against high speed impact
• Bolt down capability for anti-movement
• Enhanced wi-fi and ethernet options for seamless connectivity
• 2 cameras + radar for full-ball flight tracking
• Rugged, weather-resistant shell for use indoor or outdoors
• Quick start QR code for easy setup
• Faster processing and 6+ hour battery life

Existing Rapsodo HITTING & PITCHING 2.0 users can upgrade their existing unit(s) for a credit towards the purchase of a new PRO 2.0.

Rapsodo also offers preferred pricing for MLB players and agencies who represent pro athletes. If you fall in this category, reach out to dillon.saffle@rapsodo.com to learn more. Rapsodo also offers discounts for high school programs.

Greatness awaits. Your players are ready to take their game to the next level. Are you?

Shop now for PRO 2.0 or contact playerdevelopment@rapsodo.com to learn more about adding PRO 2.0 to your player development program.

The following is a sponsored post from Dugout Mugs.

Baseball dads are the unsung heroes of the ballpark, and deserve more than just a pat on the back for their unwavering support. They’re the real MVPs, juggling schedules, cheering from the stands, being a human snack dispenser, and playing catch until the mosquitos come out. So, when it comes to gifts, let’s ditch the clichés (ties, gift cards, and stretched out polos) and step up to the plate with something truly unique.

Enter Dugout Mugs. Now, I know what you’re thinking. “A mug? Really?” But picture this: a hollowed-out baseball bat barrel, transformed into a one-of-a-kind drinking vessel. YES, we’re serious…it’s the perfect blend of form and function, just like that one kid on the team who’s surprisingly good at bunting.

But wait, there’s more! The Dugout Mug isn’t just a drinking apparatus; it’s a conversation starter. With customizable options galore, you can slap on a team logo (MLB, travel ball, etc) a custom message, or even a picture. This is DEFINITELY a home run in the nostalgia department!

“Shut up and take my money,” right? Not just yet. We haven’t even told you about the rest of their roster. We’re talking bottle openers made from baseballs and bat handles, wine glasses that are more bat than glass, shot glasses made from bat knobs, whiskey mugs, and more.

But perhaps the best part of all is the sense of community that comes with each Dugout Mug. Don’t believe us? Just ask any of of their 3 million (plus) followers online, or read some of their 50,000+ 5-star reviews they have online (yes, seriously).

So, there you have it, folks. The guys over at Dugout Mugs have your back this Father’s Day, so give them the nod and have them come out of the bullpen to close the deal!