Players Get "Game Ready" With Mizuno Team Sports During "National Glove Steaming Week" At Dick's Sporting Goods

NORCROSS, Ga., March 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- With an estimated 4.5 million baseball gloves sold in the U.S. each year, many in the spring, Mizuno Team Sports and DICK'S Sporting Goods have teamed up to celebrate and simplify the age-old process of breaking in a new glove. Tapping into the innovative Mizuno Glove Steamer, players are invited to take part in "National Glove Steaming Week" presented by The PROS at DICK'S Sporting Goods from March 9 – 15 to get their new gloves in prime shape for the season.

"The busy schedules of today's youth make it difficult to ensure a properly primed glove for the start of the baseball and softball seasons," said Tim Rumer, Director of Product Management, Ball Gloves, Mizuno Team Sports. "The Mizuno Glove Steamer innovates the breaking-in process to leverage steam and a patented leather solution, Magic Soft, to shorten the process, yet still give players a competitive edge of performing with a well-conditioned glove immediately upon purchase."

Mizuno's patented process breaks in new, stiff off the shelf leather ball gloves, and instantly transforms them into "game-ready" condition through a steaming method and leather molding system. A select team of DICK'S Sporting Goods associates at glove steaming locations nationwide must complete a Glove Steaming Certification process to learn correct steaming methods. During the inaugural "National Glove Steaming Week" presented by The PROS at DICK'S Sporting Goods, any Mizuno glove purchased at a participating DICK'S Sporting Goods location nationwide will receive a free in-store glove steaming.

"The Mizuno Glove Steamer is an incredible tool I wish I had access to when I started playing baseball," said Adam Wainwright, Mizuno Brand Ambassador and national spokesperson for the National Glove Steamer Week promotion. "Breaking in my old glove was always such a painstakingly long process that seemingly took weeks, but with the glove steamer, it literally takes minutes to make a glove game-ready."

In addition, feature appearances by Mizuno Brand Ambassador Pro Athletes are scheduled for select DICK'S store locations in Arizona and Florida. The list of appearances* include:

*Additional player appearances pending. All dates and times subject to change. Check DICK'S Sporting Goods and Mizuno Facebook page for updates.  

"In addition to players' and parents' excitement coming in during this time of year, it's also exciting for our team of certified glove steaming pros in our Baseball Shops," said Zack Duncan, Director of Marketing Planning, DICK'S Sporting Goods. "This is when they put their skill to the test and showcase how the Mizuno Glove Steamer is truly a game-changer, allowing players to leave our store with a brand new glove that is absolutely game-ready, versus having to spend the time and energy in breaking it in by hand."

More information regarding the Mizuno Glove Steamer and services is available online at www.mizunousa.com and DICK'S Sporting Goods The PROS Shop.  

Follow Mizuno Baseball on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with Mizuno Ambassador Pro athletes' news, updates and Mizuno product news.

About Mizuno USA
Mizuno USA, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mizuno Corporation, one of the largest specialty sporting goods manufacturers in the world. Mizuno USA, Inc. manufactures and distributes golf, baseball, softball, running, track & field, soccer, and volleyball equipment, apparel, and footwear for North America.  Mizuno USA, Inc. is based in Norcross, Georgia.

SOURCE Mizuno USA