Rawlings Heart of Gold Award Celebrates Greatness Off the Diamond

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Postseason awards typically honor achievements on the field, but in 2011, Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc., a subsidiary of Jarden Corporation JAH, established the Rawlings Heart of Gold™ Award to honor the altruistic, off-the-field efforts of the game's greatest ambassadors.

While the recent dark shadow cast over the entire sports industry may portray athletes in a collectively negative light, the overwhelming majority of athletes unselfishly give back in so many ways.

"Professional athletes understand that they live under constant scrutiny for their actions whether on- or off-the-field," said Robert Parish, President & General Manager of St. Louis-based Rawlings. "Professional athletes bring joy to fans both on the field as well as off-the-field with their passionate dedication, tireless work, and uncompromising commitment to enhance our communities. This drive to lead by example serves as the cornerstone as to why we first established the Rawlings Heart of Gold Award."

The 2014 recipient of Rawlings' highest honor for players who demonstrate personal accountability and ethical leadership in every aspect of their lives will be announced at the 2014 Rawlings Gold Glove Award Ceremony in New York on Friday, November 7, 2014. This year's honoree will join two of baseball's most beloved and iconic leaders, Tommy Lasorda and Cal Ripken, Jr., as Rawlings Heart of Gold Award winners.

As one of the baseball's most beloved leaders and a champion for the growth of amateur baseball around the world, Lasorda continues to speak at hundreds of fundraisers for high school and collegiate baseball programs across the country each year.

Ripken's legacy in the game of baseball extends beyond his on-field achievements and is synonymous with his drive to enable participation and to teach all facets of the game in communities across the globe. Ripken's leadership and personal involvement in Ripken Baseball and its various divisions is a natural extension of this mission and his passion for the game.

The 2014 Rawlings Heart of Gold honoree's mission is to "strengthen families through his works, deeds and examples," while generating significant awareness and financial resources "to help those living with Down syndrome" in the U.S. and "to improve the lives of the impoverished" in his native Dominican Republic."

"We are proud of the positive influence sports have on young athletes and equally proud to honor those who are doing the right thing," Parish said.

About Rawlings
Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. is an innovative manufacturer and marketer of sporting goods worldwide. Founded in 1887, Rawlings is an authentic global sports brand, trusted by generations of athletes of all skill levels. Rawlings' unparalleled quality and expert craftsmanship are the fundamental reasons why more professional athletes, national governing bodies and sports leagues choose Rawlings. Rawlings is the Official Ball Supplier and Batting Helmet of Major League Baseball®, the official baseball of Minor League Baseball™ and the NCAA®, and the approved baseball, basketball, football and softball of the National High School Federation®. For more information, please visit Rawlings.com or by phone at (314) 819-2800.

About Jarden Corporation
Jarden Corporation is a leading provider of a diverse range of consumer products with a portfolio of over 120 trusted, quality brands sold globally. Jarden operates in three primary business segments through a number of well recognized brands, including: Outdoor Solutions: Abu Garcia®, AeroBed®, Berkley®, Campingaz® and Coleman®, ExOfficio®, Fenwick®, Gulp!®, Invicta®, K2®, Marker®, Marmot®, Mitchell®, PENN®, Rawlings®, Shakespeare®, Stearns®, Stren®, Trilene®, Völkl® and Zoot®; Consumer Solutions: Bionaire®, Breville®, Crock-Pot®, FoodSaver®, Health o meter®, Holmes®, Mr. Coffee®, Oster®, Patton®, Rival®, Seal-a-Meal®, Sunbeam®, VillaWare® and White Mountain®; and Branded Consumables: Ball®, Bee®, Bernardin®, Bicycle®, Billy Boy®, Crawford®, Diamond®, Dicon®, Fiona®, First Alert®, First Essentials®, Hoyle®, Kerr®, Lehigh®, Lifoam®, Lillo®, Loew Cornell®, Mapa®, NUK®, Pine Mountain®, Quickie®, Spontex®, Tigex® and Yankee Candle®.  Headquartered in Florida, Jarden ranks #356 on the Fortune 500 and has over 30,000 employees worldwide.  For further information about Jarden, please visit www.jarden.com.

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SOURCE Rawlings