Rawlings continues international push with Chinese Baseball Association

ST. LOUIS, March 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. a subsidiary of Jarden Corporation (NYSE: JAH) today formally announced a new, 6-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.

About Rawlings
Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. is an innovative manufacturer and marketer of sporting goods worldwide.  Founded in 1887, Rawlings is an authentic global sports brand, trusted by generations of athletes of all skill levels.  Rawlings' unparalleled quality and expert craftsmanship are the fundamental reasons why more professional athletes, national governing bodies and sports leagues choose Rawlings.  Rawlings is the Official Ball Supplier and Batting Helmet of Major League Baseball®, the official baseball of Minor League Baseball™ and the NCAA®, and the approved baseball, basketball, football and softball of the National High School Federation®.  For more information, please visit Rawlings.com or by phone at (314) 819-2800.

About Jarden Corporation
Jarden Corporation is a leading provider of a diverse range of consumer products with a portfolio of over 120 trusted, quality brands sold globally. Jarden operates in three primary business segments through a number of well recognized brands, including: Outdoor Solutions: Abu Garcia®, AeroBed®, Berkley®, Campingaz® and Coleman®, ExOfficio®, Fenwick®, Gulp!®, Invicta®, K2®, Marker®, Marmot®, Mitchell®, PENN®, Rawlings®, Shakespeare®, Stearns®, Stren®, Trilene®, Völkl® and Zoot®; Consumer Solutions: Bionaire®, Breville®, Crock-Pot®, FoodSaver®, Health o meter®, Holmes®, Mr. Coffee®, Oster®, Patton®, Rival®, Seal-a-Meal®, Sunbeam®, VillaWare® and White Mountain®; and Branded Consumables: Ball®, Bee®, Bernardin®, Bicycle®, Billy Boy®, Crawford®, Diamond®, Dicon®, Fiona®, First Alert®, First Essentials®, Hoyle®, Kerr®, Lehigh®, Lifoam®, Lillo®, Loew Cornell®, Mapa®, NUK®, Pine Mountain®, Quickie®, Spontex®, Tigex® and Yankee Candle®.  Headquartered in Florida, Jarden ranks #383 on the Fortune 500 and has over 30,000 employees worldwide.  For further information about Jarden, please visit www.jarden.com.

SOURCE Rawlings