USA Softball, Franklin Partner On Batting Glove Deal Ahead Of Olympics

By Tim Newcomb
on September 27, 2019

USA Softball has a new partner ahead of the 2020 Olympics, agreeing to a multi-year agreement with Franklin Sports to become the official batting glove of the organization.

The timing of bringing softball back into the Olympics for summer 2020 in Tokyo certainly played into the deal.

“Franklin Sports is thrilled to become the official batting glove of USA Softball and partner with such a prestigious organization,” says Adam Franklin, a third-generation president of Franklin Sports. “With the re-introduction of softball into the 2020 Summer Olympics, this is a historic time for the sport and aligns perfectly with our continued expansion within softball.”

Franklin, which was created by Irving Franklin in 1946 and is headquartered in Massachusetts, says that as the industry leader in the batting gloves category, the company promises to bring the same technology, quality and service to all levels of softball players, from those “competing at the highest level on the USA Softball National Teams to those purchasing their first pair at retail.”

As the nation’s governing body for softball, USA Softball, headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, handles training, equipping and promoting the six USA Softball National Teams that compete in events such as the Olympics, Pan-American Games, World Championships and other international and domestic events. In addition to the National Team Program, USAS offers recreational, league, tournament and competitive play for various styles of softball play.

Craig Cress, USA Softball CEO says that with over three decades of producing batting gloves for Major League Baseball players, he’s thrilled to have Franklin Sports and their “reputation for design” joining USA Softball.

“This partnership allows USA Softball athletes, whether they’re participating in a local recreation league or representing their country on the international stage, to have a high-quality product to perform at the highest level,” he says.

With the Olympics on the horizon, Franklin has secured additional exposure for the brand in the form of USA Softball.

Tim Newcomb covers gear and business for Softball America. Follow him on Twitter at @tdnewcomb.