In recent years, Nike and Rawlings brands have emerged to dominate the baseball and softball industry. Each respective company has stayed at the top of the ladder in regards to player apparel and equipment. Ads and marketing strategies across various media forms have taken over the minds of consumers, but both Nike and Rawlings are able to ensure consumer satisfaction since their inceptions.

With apparel and equipment for all athletes and baseball or softball players at any level, wide ranges of people are constantly drawn to these two large companies. Their success is remarkable and is reflected in the highest levels of the sports industry. Rawlings reigns supreme in Major League Baseball as the most commonly used glove in the pros, sponsoring the league-wide Gold Glove Award for the best defensive players in the game.

"The quality of Rawlings apparel and equipment reflects the prices they are sold for gery accurately. The amount of material, time, and effort that goes into the product is geared toward consumer pleasure and success that is worth it to produce" says Jillian Leslie, a marketing sales representative for Rawlings in Arizona.

Nike outfits a tremendous portion of these players from before the game to on the field play. This includes the United States Softball Team, Mike Trout, and other top names in baseball and softball alike. The players that are sponsored by Rawlings and Nike are constantly featured in ads, interviews, and media platforms to be nationally recognized while also reflecting the brands they represent. Both are able to satisfy the needs of some of the top athletes in baseball and softball, allowing them to achieve success at the highest levels, and never failing to satisfy the most demanding players in the game today.

"It is a company founded upon commitment to enhancing athletic performance. If Nike didn't do it's best to create products designed to better the athlete, it would not be the global powerhouse it is today" said Katie Lantz, a Nike product manager in Oregon.

"Throughout the product creation process the product goes through multiple iterations and wear tests in order to ensure its comfort and quality" added Lantz when asked about the high quality of Nike products.

Nike and Rawlings continue to control the baseball and softball world at all levels. Their signature logos are now recognized all around the world and seemingly continue to grow.

"Nike is the #1 sports retail company in the world. On the whole, their products are much more durable, comfortable, and sports specific in comparison to other [major] companies such as Adidas or Under Armour. Especially when it comes to footwear, Nike has little competition" said Lantz. "When it comes to training attire, I believe Nike makes the best product for me and my sport".

"Even so, the company will continue to produce high quality products and thrive for many years to come" Leslie said, even though Rawlings is already widely being used and advertised in the MLB.

College baseball player, Kyle Murzyn simply said "Rawlings has the most comfortable glove I can wear and Nike has the most comfortable shoes I can wear".

The two companies seem unlikely to take a backseat to any sporting goods company any time soon.

Nike and Rawlings Story