Spalding Rookie Gear Provides a Lighter Ball and Better Experience

September 2, 2008 – Spalding is introducing Spalding Rookie Gear, a sporting goods line of youth-sized basketballs, footballs and soccer balls that weigh 25 percent less than standard youth products. Specifically engineered for the 40+ million kids aged 8 and under, Spalding Rookie Gear’s authentic, innovative product line is designed so kids can shoot, rebound, kick and throw more easily and successfully, and with better form.

“We want kids to enjoy, embrace and achieve early success in sports,” stated Bob Llewellyn, director of consumer marketing, Spalding. “Spalding Rookie Gear is all about keeping young athletes “in” the game because playing with a lighter ball builds confidence, enables sound fundamental skills and keeps a child active. The end result is making sports more fun to play.”

According to Llewellyn, youth products are traditionally made smaller in size but not appropriately weighted, which can lead to improper form, lack of success, and eventual frustration, which ultimately takes the fun out of play.

Spalding Rookie Gear products are constructed with competitive play, high performance composite leather materials, weigh 25 percent less than standard Youth sized product and meet all performance characteristics.

In blind tests with young athletes around the country, Spalding Rookie Gear produced amazing results.

• Spalding Rookie Gear Basketballs weigh 25 percent less than standard youth balls and kids rebounded more confidently, dribbled more successfully and shot with dramatically better form than they could before.
  
• Spalding Rookie Gear Footballs weigh 25 percent less than standard mighty mite balls and test participants were able to throw them 15 percent father and with better form and more confidence.
  
• Spalding Rookie Gear Soccer Balls weigh 25 percent less than standard size three balls and were kicked 20 percent farther.
  

 “It was immediately evident that the kids noticed a difference with the product and they were having more fun and success because Spalding Rookie Gear was easier to play with,” stated Mike Maziarz, Spalding Research & Development. “They weren’t as afraid to catch a pass or go in for a rebound, which enabled them to just focus on playing and enjoying the experience, while not having to think or worry about the ball.”

In addition to the on-field performance and enjoyment advantages, Spalding Rookie Gear products also benefit the younger players’ bodies versus the standard youth balls available today.

Spalding Rookie Gear is available in sporting goods store now. Each ball is designed for recreational Indoor/Outdoor play. The Size 5 (27.5”) youth basketballs are available in two styles (traditional brown and multi-colored), the Mitey Mite football is available in traditional brown cover and the Size 3 (Youth) soccer balls are available in two styles (yellow/multi-color and purple). Each has an SRP of $19.99.

For more information visit www.spalding.com/rookiegear

SOURCE Spalding

• Email this page
• Printer-friendly version