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Rawlings is an American company that manufactures sports equipment. It was founded in 1887, and is a subsidiary of K2 Sports. It specializes in baseball but also manufactures softball, basketball, football, and golf products.

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• 1887: George and Alfred Rawlings announce opening of retail sporting goods store in downtown St. Louis.
• 1920: Rawlings introduces historic Bill Doak glove. This revolutionary glove featured a multi-thong web laced into the first finger and thumb with a natural formed deep pocket. Becomes the prototype for all-purpose gloves of the future.
• 1941: Rawlings hears fielders' plea. Develops the Trapper-a three-fingered, deep-well pocket glove that changes the design of first base mitts and sets the standard for Major League specifications.
• 1946: The Rawlings glove line expands to include a glove for each position - with a name, position and number.
• 1947: Rawlings introduces The Playmaker, a new three-fingered glove.
• 1957: Rawlings establishes the Rawlings Gold Glove Award to recognize fielding excellence.
• 1959: The Trap-Eze, or so-called "six-finger" glove, is introduced by Rawlings and quickly becomes a favorite of many major league players.
• 1970: Rawlings joins with Adirondack to supply the Major League bats with the distinct Pro Ring design.
• 1971: Fastback glove is introduced, featuring a closed-back design for a snug fit, greater extension and better glove control.
• 1976: Rawlings is awarded the contract as exclusive supplier of baseballs to the American League and National League.
• 1985: Rawlings awarded the contract to become the "Official Uniform Supplier to Major League Baseball" and named an "Official Sponsor of Major League Baseball".
• 1986: Rawlings selected as Official Football for NCAA Championships and Official Basketball for NCAA Men's and Women's Championships including The Final Four.
• 1994: Rawlings becomes public company, traded on the NASDAQ, symbol: RAWL.
• 2006: Rawlings is celebrated for becoming the longest lasting baseball in Major League Baseball.

Rawlings has 4 different types of professional gloves: Primo, Pro Preferred, Heart of the Hide, and Gold Glove.

Rawlings makes many professional webs for gloves including Trap Eze, Modified Trap Eze, Basket Web, H Web, and I Web. Rawlings is the most used glove in Major League baseball with over 70% of all Major League Baseball players using a Rawlings glove. Some pro players currently using their gloves include: Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon, Albert Pujols, Torii Hunter, Barry Zito, Mark Teixeira,and Carl Crawford,.

Rawlings has also historically had an involvement in ice hockey: in fact, the first goaltender's catch glove was a Rawlings first baseman's glove with a "cheater" leather wrist guard sewn onto it. The company made player's gloves well into the 1990s, although its heyday making gloves ended in the 1970s and 80s when the style of glove changed from the long-cuff "gauntlet" style Rawlings was proficient in to the short-cuff style seen today.

Author Troy Soos baseball playing detective Mickey Rawlings gets his name from the company.

Principal Subsidiaries

Rawlings Canada, Inc.; Rawlings de Costa Rica; Rawlings Sporting Goods Company of Missouri.

Further Reading

Cedrone, Lisa, "Rawlings Scores with New Lineup," Bobbin, March 1995, pp. 42, 44, 46-49.

LaMarre, Thomas E., "Squeeze Play," Nation's Business, November 1985, p. 87R.

Marshall, Christy, "Rawlings' Baseball Line Hits Grand Slam," Advertising Age, April 16, 1979, pp. 22, 62.

"Playing to Win," St. Louis Commerce, September 1991, p. 6.

Sanford, Robert, "Glove Affair," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 8, 1994, pp. E1, E5.

Stamborski, Al, "Challenges Force Rawlings To Learn How To Innovate," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 22, 1998, pp. E1, E8.

Stichnoth, Matthew M., "Baseball and Beyond," New York Times, March 15, 1998, Sec. 3, p. 4.

Wessling, Jack, "Rawlings Re-Enters Athletic Footwear After 22 Years," Footwear News, September 4, 1989, p. 26.

Wulf, Steve, and Kaplan, Jim, "Glove Story," Sports Illustrated, May 7, 1990, pp. 73-76.

• Rawlings corporate site
• Rawlings blog
• Rawlings Fusion Bat site
• Rawlings leather goods and sports accessories