Augusta Sportswear Outfits Babe Ruth Baseball, Cal Ripken Baseball

Augusta Sportswear Brands wanted a way to connect with the baseball community, while making the game accessible to more people. They believe they’ve accomplished that goal by entering into a multi-year partnership with the Babe Ruth League as the new on-field uniform provider for both Babe Ruth Baseball and Cal Ripken Baseball.

As part of the new agreement, Augusta will outfit teams in a full uniform kit across a range of Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth leagues, including the Babe Ruth Baseball World Series. The New Jersey-based league is one of the largest youth baseball and softball programs in the United States with over one million participants from ages 4 through 18.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Babe Ruth League on so many levels,” says Mark Botterill, Augusta Sportswear Brands vice president. “Youth sports has suffered through Covid more than most industries and the protection of youth sports programs is critical. It is important, it is where friends are made for life and Babe Ruth represents all of that and we couldn’t be happier.”

Joining the two organizations together with the like-minded mission of accessible and affordable experiences, Botterill says the uniform represents a key aspect. “It is really bringing some efficiencies by building on systems and sublimation, a much more cost-effective and quicker-to-market product,” he says. The sublimation, which offers a one-piece process, speeds the creation process for dealers, improves the product for consumers and reduces the costs, he says.

As part of the Augusta brand, they offer a good, better, best program based on affordability and levels of play, a perfect fit because the Babe Ruth League has so many different avenues for players. The brand’s Augusta line represents the most affordable option, while Holloway embodies the next step up and Augusta’s licensing deal with Russell has them manufacturing the bulk of Russell’s team apparel for the highest grade of product. “It has gone very well for us,” Botterill says about the tiered system and the growing presence of Russell.

The mix will allow teams to choose stock, decorated or fully sublimated uniforms, making it easy for clubs to create their own custom uniforms. Augusta’s new FreeStyle online uniform builder will also open to Babe Ruth League teams.

The recent acquisition of Pacific Headwear offers another option for teams.

“Baseball is the hallmark of Augusta Sportswear. Baseball is our calling card, our signature sport, so it is our effort in trying to invest in the growth of the game,” Botterill says. “We can make the game an improved experience and where we can, we want to do that. We want people to consider us a trusted partner.”

Dave Elliott, Augusta Sportswear Brands CEO, says, “We are thrilled to support and partner with an organization that has both the heritage and vision to grow the game by enabling young ballplayers to play and compete in their communities.”

“Our new relationship with Augusta Sportswear Brands will allow us to provide our managers, coaches and players with the very best in custom team uniforms,” says Steven Tellefsen, Babe Ruth League president and CEO. “Our young players are eager to get back out on the field in 2021 and they deserve to have the best-quality uniform on the market. Gearing up your players with a personalized Augusta Sportswear Brands uniform will add to their excitement on the diamond and result in a more enjoyable and memorable 2021 season, especially after the many challenges we all faced in 2020.”