I.S.C. Press Release re Schutt Sports

The International Softball Congress has announced that Schutt Sports of Litchfield, Illinois, has agreed to continue a sponsorship arrangement that will benefit both the men's and boys' fastball programs.

According to ISC Executive Director, Ken Hackmeister, Schutt Sports became the ISC's first sponsor in 2000 under their Corporate Sponsorship Program (CSP). This CSP provides free equipment to newly formed boys' teams. As in past years, five boys' teams that are newly formed in 2002 will receive an equipment package from Schutt Sports that will include batting helmets, all catchers' gear, and team equipment bags. The retail value of each team package is approximately $600.

Schutt Sports has also agreed to provide the "Game MVP" award at the ISC Men's World Tournament in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, August 917, 2002. A total of 22 such awards will be given, with one being presented to a player from the winning team of each tournament game in the "two-lives" bracket. 

Schutt Sports has been on the cutting edge of sports equipment production since the early 1900s, when it first came on the scene selling basketball products and football face masks. Schutt Sports President Julie Nimmons has steered the company very aggressively the past few years to the point that it is now considered one of the top sporting-goods manufacturers in the United States.

A long-time ISC Developmental Program supporter, Schutt Sports is the industry leader in catcher's protective equipment, batting helmets, and softball accessories. In recent years, Schutt acquired Hollywood Bases, a brand familiar to softball and baseball players. Additionally, Schutt Sports manufactures a line of basketball backboards and standards, and football coaches, players, and fans may be familiar with another well known Schutt product the "Air" football helmet. 

The ISC extends its thanks to Schutt Sports for their continued support and their belief in the future of male fastpitch softball by making this generous offer to newly formed boys' teams. Without the generous contribution by Schutt Sports, the ISC could not make the offer to defray start-up costs for new boys' teams.

We encourage all men's and boys' fastpitch teams to consider Schutt products when looking for catcher's protective gear and helmets. The support of Schutt products by fastpitch players will go a long way toward having this becoming a continuing relationship, which will result in the creation of more men's and boys' fastpitch teams over the coming years.

Boys' teams interested in applying for the Schutt Sports equipment package should contact ISC Developmental Vice President, Wayne Fisher wpfisher@mchsi.com.

03/26/02

By: Gordon Wise - - - ISC Information officer
mailto:sgwise@woh.rr.com
http://www.iscfastpitch.com