Easton to Continue Partnership with Little League Through 2028

Partnership extension also brings parent company, Rawlings, on as the Official Glove of the Little League World Series

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (March 29, 2023) – With baseball and softball season officially underway, Little League® and Easton Diamond Sports, LLC, are thrilled to announce an extension of their Official Partnership through 2028. Following the merger between Rawlings and Easton in January 2021, the extended agreement with Little League also now incorporates Rawlings as the Official Glove of the Little League World Series starting in 2023.

“Easton has been an exceptional partner for the Little League program for more than 40 years, and we are excited to be able to extend our relationship through the 2028 season,” said Liz DiLullo Brown, Little League Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “The commitment that Easton continues to show to ensuring our players and volunteers have a memorable Little League experience has been truly inspiring, and we look forward to finding new ways to enhance that experience at every level of our program.”

Over the years, Easton has been a tremendous supporter of Little League at every level of the program, from offering incentives and discount opportunities at the local league level to providing equipment distribution experiences at the Little League Baseball and Softball World Series. As part of the World Series experience, participants in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and Greenville, North Carolina, are provided with a variety of equipment including the latest bats, gloves, backpacks, batting gloves, catcher’s gear and helmets courtesy of Easton. During that distribution, players get the unique opportunity to learn more about the equipment and test out the baseball and softball bats in the Easton Hit Lab before making their decision on which one they’d like to use.

“In our ever-changing industry, one thing has remained constant and that is our long-standing, valuable partnership with Little League,” said Mike Thompson, Rawlings Chief Marketing Officer. “Little League is committed to growing amateur baseball and softball and celebrates athletes by telling their stories on a regional and national stage. We look forward to being included in their unique journeys for many more years to come.”

In addition to their efforts to support the players and volunteers of the Little League program at every level, Easton will also continue to participate in the Little League World Series Fan Zone activations, providing fun and exciting experiences for all fans in attendance at the world’s largest youth sports tournament and other Little League events.

For more than 75 years, Little League has partnered with major corporations on a national level to help keep the costs for local Little Leagues to a minimum and to provide unparalleled benefits and resources to those member leagues. Sponsors help leagues operate smoothly, provide training resources for coaches, offset expenses for educational initiatives, offer grant programs for leagues in need, assist in supporting tournament costs, and provide opportunities and knowledge in fundraising, operations, nutrition, and safety. In short, sponsors help leagues offer the best programs possible, so players and volunteers can have a fun and rewarding Little League experience.

About Little League®

Founded in 1939, Little League® is the world’s largest organized youth sports program, with approximately two million players (ages 4-16) playing baseball and softball in communities across every U.S. state and more than 80 other countries. Operated by more than one million volunteers, Little League believes in the power of youth baseball and softball to teach life lessons that build stronger individuals and communities. From professional athletes and award-winning celebrities, to public officials and other influential members of society, Little League graduates have taken the lessons they learned, both on and off the field, to create the next chapter of the Little League story. Each year, millions of people follow the hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship that Little Leaguers® display at our seven baseball and softball World Series events, the premier tournaments in youth sports. For more information, visit LittleLeague.org, and follow Little League (@LittleLeague) on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. When we all come together, we are truly One Team. One Little League.

About Easton®

Easton is one of the world's leading manufacturers of baseball and softball equipment, and an iconic brand in these sports. Easton Diamond Sports, LLC manufactures bats, ball gloves, apparel, bags, batting gloves, helmets, catcher's equipment, and related accessories. The company's commitment to innovation, propelled Easton to the No. 1 bat in College World Series® history, in Women’s College World Series® history and in Little League Baseball® World Series history. As a result of this commitment to R&D, Easton has long-standing relationships with Little League Baseball, USSSA Baseball & Softball, USA Baseball & Softball, hundreds of NCAA collegiate teams and numerous professional baseball and softball players. For more information, please visit: https://www.easton.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®. The company is headquartered in St. Louis. For more information, please visit www.Rawlings.com.