Majestic Athletic, a leading provider of authentic team uniforms, athletic apparel and sports-licensed apparel, has announced a partnership to manufacture on-field uniforms, outerwear, authentic t-shirts and fleece for 11 of the 16 teams participating in the inaugural World Baseball Classic(TM). These fully outfitted teams include Australia, Canada, Dominican Republic, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Venezuela and the United States. In addition to the on-field uniforms, Majestic Athletic will manufacture batting practice jerseys for those teams and four additional teams participating in the tournament, which include China, Chinese Taipei, Japan and Korea.
The inaugural World Baseball Classic is an unprecedented baseball event that will bring the best players in the world, including Major League players, together to compete for their home countries. The tournament will run concurrent with Major League Baseball Spring Training, from March 3-20, 2006.
As part of the global agreement with the World Baseball Classic, Majestic Athletic will be an exclusive supplier of replica game jerseys along with a full assortment of championship and authentic locker-room products including t-shirts, fleece and outerwear.
Beginning in early 2006, baseball fans will have the chance to get in the action and show their support for their team and country when apparel will be available for purchase at select retail locations and online at http://www.worldbaseballclassic.com. Through Majestic Athletic’s Internet- based jersey customization program, consumers will also be able to place orders online to customize their jerseys.
“For more than two decades Majestic Athletic has manufactured high-quality Major League Baseball apparel, including the uniforms for all 30 Clubs beginning this past season,” said Tim Brosnan, Executive Vice President of Business for MLB. “The World Baseball Classic is an exciting new endeavor, one that will captivate baseball fans around the globe, and it seems only appropriate to have a valued partner like Majestic on board.”
“The World Baseball Classic will celebrate the sport of baseball and its growth around the world,” said Faust Capobianco IV, president of Majestic Athletic. “This program is a tremendous opportunity for Majestic Athletic as we strive to be not only the premier apparel brand of Major League Baseball, but a premier athletic brand on a global level as well.”
The second World Baseball Classic is scheduled for 2009 and will be held every four years thereafter.
About Majestic Athletic
Headquartered in Bangor, Pa., Majestic Athletic designs, markets and manufactures athletic team uniforms, performance apparel, outerwear and licensed athletic wear. The company is licensed by Major League Baseball and currently holds on-field uniform rights for all 30 Major League Baseball Clubs, in addition to exclusively supplying each Club with on-field MLB Authentic Collection(TM) outerwear, batting practice jerseys, t-shirts, shorts and fleece. Majestic Athletic is also licensed by the Major League Baseball Players’ Association, National Basketball Association, Arena Football League, National Pro Fastpitch and many major colleges and universities to provide a wide variety of apparel products. For more information, please visit http://www.majesticathletic.com.
After nearly three months of rest, New York Mets starting pitcher Pedro Martinez’s right toe is still hurting and influence his throwing program, but he still hopes to pitch the inaugural World Baseball Classic next March.