Rawlings Announces Executive Leadership Team Updates

Mike Zlaket to Transition to Vice Chairman of Rawlings' Board of Directors

Ron Ostrowski Promoted to President and CEO

ST. LOUIS, MO – Oct. 1, 2024 – Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc., the creator of the iconic Rawlings Gold Glove Award® and official glove, baseball, helmet, face guard and base of Major League Baseball®, announced two structural changes to its executive leadership staff. Mike Zlaket, Rawlings’ current Chief Executive Officer, will transition to the role of Vice Chairman of the company’s board of directors, while Ron Ostrowski’s current role as President has been expanded to President and CEO. Ostrowski will assume his new duties effective Jan. 1, 2025. 

“Ron has done a wonderful job as President over the past two years and I’m confident he is the right choice to lead the company into the future,” said Zlaket. “Ron has demonstrated passion, energy, and most notably strong leadership while integrating the acquisition of Easton Diamond Sports® into our business model. Ron exhibits an excellent all-around knowledge of our company and industry that has only strengthened with time.”

In 2020, Ostrowski joined Rawlings as the Chief Financial Officer and was appointed to the role of President in 2022. During his tenure with the company, Rawlings was named the official glove and base of Major League Baseball, expanded its distribution facilities, and opened the ‘Rawlings Experience’, an immersive, interactive flagship destination near its newly constructed world headquarters in St. Louis. 

“The future of our company is as bright as ever, with an innovative product pipeline, an unmatched lineup of endorsers and strong partnerships with our retailers,” said Ostrowski. “I’m grateful to work alongside the best team in the industry to continually build on the momentum of our legendary brands as they grow in demand with our consumer base.”

About Rawlings

Established in 1887, Rawlings is an innovative leading global brand and manufacturer of premium baseball and softball equipment, including gloves, balls, and protective headwear. Rawlings' unparalleled quality, innovative engineering and expert craftsmanship are the fundamental reasons why more professional athletes, national governing bodies and sports leagues choose Rawlings. 

Rawlings is the official glove, baseball, helmet and faceguard, and base of Major League Baseball, the official baseball of Minor League Baseball and the official baseball and softball of the NCAA and NAIA, and the official softball of the NJCAA. 

Rawlings acquired Easton Diamond Sports®, the official equipment supplier of Little League® Baseball and Softball, Team USA Softball®, and USSSA® Softball, in 2020. Rawlings is a portfolio company of Seidler Equity Partners. For more information, please visit www.Rawlings.com.