AABC recommending use of GAPHitter in division rather than stationary batting tee.

Chicago, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/08/2010 -- The American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC) announced the development of a new age division. The division is called the Rod Carew Division, which will be comprised of players six years-old and under. The AABC is recommending the use of Rod Carew Baseball's (RCB) hitting aid, the GAPHitter, to be used in the division rather than the traditional, stationary batting tee, which is normally used for this age group.

Founded in 1935, the American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC) is the largest amateur baseball organization in the United States for players above junior baseball age and the only amateur baseball program that provides progressive and continuous organized competition - sub teens through adults. It is coordinated with other programs through USA Baseball and the American Baseball Coaches Association.

"We're extremely pleased to be partnering with the AABC and authorizing the Rod Carew name for the division" stated Gil Vieira, president of Rod Carew Baseball. "The AABC has been a leader in youth baseball for 75-years, so who better to help introduce the GAPHitter to youth baseball for league game play."

National Baseball Hall of Fame legend and RCB chairman Rod Carew was the guest speaker at the recent 75th Annual AABC Meeting banquet held in San Antonio, TX on October 30th. He graciously thanked the AABC for using his name for the new division and promoting the use of the GAPHitter. Carew also mingled with members, told great baseball stories, and answered numerous questions.

Carew stated, "It has been a pleasure working with AABC president Richard Neely developing the Rod Carew Division and introducing our company and product to its members. The AABC does a great job working with our youth and we look forward to a long, mutually beneficial relationship with them."

"The AABC is pleased to have Rod Carew share his name for our new six year-old division," stated AABC president Richard Neely.  "He joins such great names as Roberto Clemente, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle, and we are honored to have Rod in our family."
 
At the banquet, Carew touted the GAPHitter as a hitting aid that will revolutionize youth baseball – replacing the traditional, stationary batting tee. "The GAPHitter provides young players the fun, excitement, and benefits of hitting a moving ball," commented Carew. "By providing children the ability to hit a moving ball it will greatly improve their eye-hand coordination at an early age, and better prepare them for the next level of play. Also, with the ability of the GAPHitter to control the ball's movement through the hitting zone, a young player has no fear of being hit by a pitched ball, as every pitch is a strike."

The AABC Rod Carew Division will begin play in 2011. For more information about the AABC visit www.aabc.us. For more information about Rod Carew Baseball visit www.rodcarewbaseball.com.

About Rod Carew Baseball
Rod Carew Baseball (RCB) was founded in 2010 and is committed to being the premier baseball/softball company dedicated to the art and science of hitting. The Company develops, manufactures, and markets the finest hitting and training tools to improve a player's hitting skills. RCB's flagship product is the GAPHitter - the ultimate hitting aid. The Company's corporate offices are located in Chicago, IL, with satellite offices in Boston and Los Angeles. For more information about the company, please visit www.rodcarewbaseball.com. You can follow the company on www.facebook.com/rodcarewbaseball or on Twitter@rodcarewbball.

About the GAPHitter
The GAPHitter is a patented hitting aid system using a special Rod Carew Baseball ball. The hitting aid is placed behind home plate in the umpire's position. The ball is secured by Velcro-like material to a patented ball attachment and tether, which is attached to a pendulum on the hitting aid. The ball hangs over home plate (like a suspended tee) and is pulled back by a person standing in the umpire's position. The ball is then released and swings toward the playing field. When the ball returns through the hitting zone it is hit with the bat and the ball releases on contact, initiating game play. Pitch location can be varied up and down, inside and outside. Multiple types of balls can be used, including: baseballs, softballs and low-compression balls.

About the American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC)
Founded in 1935, the American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC) is the largest amateur baseball organization in the United States for players above junior baseball age and the only amateur baseball program that provides progressive and continuous organized competition - sub teens through adults. It is coordinated with other programs through USA Baseball and the American Baseball Coaches Association.

Contact :
Amy Chilla
Rod Carew Baseball
Chicago, IL
+1 949-218-0312
achilla@rodcarewbaseball.com
http://www.rodcarewbaseball.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The 2010 NYBC is the third annual championship tournament of its kind, which was developed through the efforts of the Major Youth Baseball Alliance, LLC (MYBA).

Chicago, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/23/2010 -- Baseball Hall of Fame legend Rod Carew will throw out the first pitch at the 2010 National Youth Baseball Championships (NYBC) on Sunday, August 29th. The finals will be aired nationally on the MLB Network. Carew will also make an appearance in the broadcast booth.

Carew's company, Rod Carew Baseball (RCB), is one of the official sponsors of the tournament held at Gameday Baseball's First Tennessee Fields in Memphis, TN. RCB will be demonstrating its unique hitting aid, the GAPHitter, at the event.

The 2010 NYBC is the third annual championship tournament of its kind, which was developed through the efforts of the Major Youth Baseball Alliance, LLC (MYBA).

The MYBA is comprised of eight major youth organizations, including AABC (American Amateur Baseball Congress), AAU (Amateur Athletic Union of the United States), Babe Ruth Baseball, Dixie Youth Baseball, NABF (National Amateur Baseball Federation), Pony Baseball, Super Series Baseball of America and USSA (United States Specialty Sports Association).

The tournament will crown national champions in the 10-under and 12-under divisions of the eight participating organizations, which include more than 100,000 teams.

Carew, Chairman of Rod Carew Baseball, stated, "I'm delighted to be directly involved in this great event for youth baseball. At Rod Carew Baseball, we're committed to America's youth and extremely pleased with our partnership with the Major Youth Baseball Alliance. Each organization in the Alliance is an excellent ambassador of the game, and we look forward to working with them and their young players."

Richard Neely, member of the Major Youth Baseball Alliance Board of Directors and president of the American Amateur Baseball Congress stated, "We're honored to have Rod Carew participate at the National Youth Baseball Championships and throw out the first pitch of the finals. Rod is not only one of the greatest hitters in the history of baseball; he's also a great ambassador of the game. To have his company, Rod Carew Baseball, actively support the NYBC and youth baseball, in general, is exciting."

To learn more, visit http://www.rodcarew.com and http://www.rodcarewbaseball.com. For high resolution images, contact RCB media relations at: media@rodcarewbaseball.com.

About Rod Carew
Rod Carew was voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991. He won seven American League batting titles and retired with 3,053 career hits. One of baseball's most sought-after hitting instructors, Carew has seen players such as Jim Edmonds, Garrett Anderson, Troy Glaus, Darin Erstad and Torii Hunter blossom under his watchful eye.

About Rod Carew Baseball
Rod Carew Baseball (RCB) was founded in 2010 and is committed to being the premier baseball/softball company dedicated to the art and science of hitting. The Company develops, manufactures, and markets the finest hitting and training tools to improve a player's hitting skills. RCB's flagship product is the GAPHitter - the ultimate hitting aid. The Company's corporate offices are located in Chicago, IL, with satellite offices in Boston and Los Angeles. For more information about the company, please visit http://www.rodcarewbaseball.com. You can follow the company on http://www.facebook.com/rodcarewbaseball or on Twitter @rodcarewbball.

Contact:
Amy Chilla
Rod Carew Baseball
Chicago, IL
949-218-0312
media@rodcarewbaseball.com
http://www.rodcarewbaseball.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Baseball Hall of Famer’s Company Partners with Top Sporting Goods Manufacturer.

Chicago, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/05/2010 -- Rod Carew Baseball (RCB), a company dedicated to the art and science of hitting, today announced it has teamed up with industry legend Diamond Sports. As the company's official ball-supplier, Diamond Sports will provide baseballs and softballs for RCB's flagship product, the GAPHitter. 

The GAPHitter is a lightweight, steel hitting aid, which sets up behind home plate. A special GAPHitter ball is attached by a patented ball attachment. The ball attachment is connected to a tether on a suspended pendulum. The ball is pulled back to the catcher's position and released. When the ball returns through the strike zone it is struck by the batter…and the ball releases on contact.

When asked why Diamond was selected as the official RCB ball-supplier, Gil Vieira, President of Rod Carew Baseball responded, "The partnership with Diamond Sports is a testament to the mission of Rod Carew Baseball to provide high-quality products. We believe Diamond provides the best ball on the market."

"Diamond Sports is very excited to partner up with Rod Carew Baseball and the GAPHitter," said Andrea Gordon, President of Diamond Sports. "We feel this great hitting aid is the future of hitting from the youth level all the way up.  Mr. Carew and his team have created a genuine practical hitting tool for which we are proud to supply the baseballs and softballs."

Rod Carew Baseball is committed to being the premier baseball/softball company dedicated to the art and science of hitting. The Company develops, manufactures, and markets the finest hitting and training tools to improve a player's hitting skills.

Vieira continued, "We are extremely pleased to be working with a world class organization such as Diamond. Their commitment to the industry and professionalism is second to none."

"It has been a pleasure working with the RCB team, as we partner on bringing a sound training tool to the market," said Chris Coffing, Sr. VP of Diamond Sports. "The quality of the GAPHitter is instantly seen once you get your hands on it – everything from the poles and hitting system to the Diamond ball and easy carrying bag."

Vieira, who has been involved in the sporting goods industry for over 25 years, plans to work with Diamond Sports beyond being a ball-supplier. He sees great opportunity for the two companies to work together promoting the game.

"New tools and devices come out all the time to help hitters get to the next level. Rod Carew Baseball and the GAPHitter really have taken it to the next level with this duel sport device that is changing the way hitters develop their skills," said Dave Pherrin, Team Promotions Manager for Diamond Sports. "I have seen the practicality and desire for this device first hand and we are very proud to be a part of the GAPHitter."

To learn more about Rod Carew Baseball, its products, and TeamCarew, visit http://www.rodcarewbaseball.com. For high resolution images, contact RCB media relations at: media@rodcarewbaseball.com.

About Rod Carew Baseball
Rod Carew Baseball (RCB) was founded in 2010 and is committed to being the premier baseball/softball company dedicated to the art and science of hitting. The Company develops, manufactures, and markets the finest hitting and training tools to improve a player's hitting skills. RCB's flagship product is the GAPHitter - the ultimate hitting aid. The Company's corporate offices are located in Chicago, IL, with satellite offices in Boston and Los Angeles. For more information about the company, please visit http://www.rodcarewbaseball.com. You can follow the company on http://www.facebook.com/rodcarewbaseball or on Twitter @rodcarewbball.

About Diamond Sports
Diamond Sports is a leading manufacturer of sporting goods equipment with a focus on promoting the advancement of competitive sports on all levels by delivering high performance products with unbeatable customer service.  For more information about the company, visit http://www.diamond-sports.com.

Contact:
Melissa Gillespie
Rod Carew Baseball
Chicago, Illinois
+1 760-522-4362
media@rodcarewbaseball.com
http://www.rodcarewbaseball.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm