Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. has entered a new, six-year agreement with the Chinese Baseball Association (CBA), establishing Rawlings as the Official Apparel and Equipment Sponsor for the national governing body. The new partnership covers all players, coaches, trainers and management staff of the National Team of China and National Youth Team of China.
“Rawlings is proud to partner with the Chinese Baseball Association to enhance and improve the level of play for Chinese players of all skill levels,” said Brian Josephson, General Manager of Emerging Markets for St. Louis, Missouri-based Rawlings. “China has proven to have the skills and discipline necessary to be a contender on the world stage of baseball, and we look forward to working with them in this endeavor as we promote healthy activities, teamwork and discipline throughout the world through the great game of baseball.”
Rawlings' agreement with the CBA joins 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, the Official Baseball of Minor League Baseball, the Official Bat, Baseball and Batting Helmet of Baseball Canada, and the Official Baseball, Batting Helmet and Catcher's Gear Provider of Baseball Australia and the Australian Baseball League.
The partnership with Rawlings connects the CBA with an authentic baseball brand committed to growing the game of baseball throughout China. In recent years, China's national team started moving up the world rankings and currently sits as one of the top 20 international teams. With its third-place finish in the 2013 World Baseball Classic Pool A, China received an automatic qualifier into the 2017 World Baseball Classic tournament.
Rawlings will begin activating the new partnership immediately with the creation of the national team's new uniform design in advance of international competitions later this year.
