Innovative, Next Generation Equipment Designed For the Next Generation Athlete

SPRINGFIELD, MA (July 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 Spalding Youth sized product 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 Pee Wee balls and test participants were able to throw them 15 percent farther 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."

Spalding Rookie Gear will be available in sporting goods store beginning in early July. 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 Pee Wee 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

About Spalding

A Division of Russell Corporation, the Spalding Group consists of two business units; Spalding in Springfield, MA and American Athletic (AAI) in Jefferson, IA. The combined Spalding Group is now the largest basketball equipment supplier in the world. Spalding is the official basketball of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the official backboard of the NBA and NCAA, the official volleyball of the King of the Beach Volleyball Tour and the official football of the Arena Football League (AFL) and Pop Warner. In addition to being the leading producer and marketer of basketballs, footballs, volleyballs and soccer balls, Springfield, MA-based Spalding produces softballs under the Dudley® brand. For more information, visit www.spalding.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Product images and video (footage) of blind tests are available upon request.