Chicago, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/08/2010 -- The American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC) announced the development of a new age division. The division is called the Rod Carew Division, which will be comprised of players six years-old and under. The AABC is recommending the use of Rod Carew Baseball’s (RCB) hitting aid, the GAPHitter, to be used in the division rather than the traditional, stationary batting tee, which is normally used for this age group.

Founded in 1935, the American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC) is the largest amateur baseball organization in the United States for players above junior baseball age and the only amateur baseball program that provides progressive and continuous organized competition - sub teens through adults. It is coordinated with other programs through USA Baseball and the American Baseball Coaches Association.

“We’re extremely pleased to be partnering with the AABC and authorizing the Rod Carew name for the division” stated Gil Vieira, president of Rod Carew Baseball. “The AABC has been a leader in youth baseball for 75-years, so who better to help introduce the GAPHitter to youth baseball for league game play.”

National Baseball Hall of Fame legend and RCB chairman Rod Carew was the guest speaker at the recent 75th Annual AABC Meeting banquet held in San Antonio, TX on October 30th. He graciously thanked the AABC for using his name for the new division and promoting the use of the GAPHitter. Carew also mingled with members, told great baseball stories, and answered numerous questions.

Carew stated, “It has been a pleasure working with AABC president Richard Neely developing the Rod Carew Division and introducing our company and product to its members. The AABC does a great job working with our youth and we look forward to a long, mutually beneficial relationship with them.”

“The AABC is pleased to have Rod Carew share his name for our new six year-old division,” stated AABC president Richard Neely.  “He joins such great names as Roberto Clemente, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle, and we are honored to have Rod in our family.”
 
At the banquet, Carew touted the GAPHitter as a hitting aid that will revolutionize youth baseball – replacing the traditional, stationary batting tee. “The GAPHitter provides young players the fun, excitement, and benefits of hitting a moving ball,” commented Carew. “By providing children the ability to hit a moving ball it will greatly improve their eye-hand coordination at an early age, and better prepare them for the next level of play. Also, with the ability of the GAPHitter to control the ball’s movement through the hitting zone, a young player has no fear of being hit by a pitched ball, as every pitch is a strike.”

The AABC Rod Carew Division will begin play in 2011. For more information about the AABC visit www.aabc.us. For more information about Rod Carew Baseball visit www.rodcarewbaseball.com.

About Rod Carew Baseball
Rod Carew Baseball (RCB) was founded in 2010 and is committed to being the premier baseball/softball company dedicated to the art and science of hitting. The Company develops, manufactures, and markets the finest hitting and training tools to improve a player’s hitting skills. RCB's flagship product is the GAPHitter - the ultimate hitting aid. The Company’s corporate offices are located in Chicago, IL, with satellite offices in Boston and Los Angeles. For more information about the company, please visit www.rodcarewbaseball.com. You can follow the company on www.facebook.com/rodcarewbaseball or on Twitter@rodcarewbball.

About the GAPHitter
The GAPHitter is a patented hitting aid system using a special Rod Carew Baseball ball. The hitting aid is placed behind home plate in the umpire’s position. The ball is secured by Velcro-like material to a patented ball attachment and tether, which is attached to a pendulum on the hitting aid. The ball hangs over home plate (like a suspended tee) and is pulled back by a person standing in the umpire’s position. The ball is then released and swings toward the playing field. When the ball returns through the hitting zone it is hit with the bat and the ball releases on contact, initiating game play. Pitch location can be varied up and down, inside and outside. Multiple types of balls can be used, including: baseballs, softballs and low-compression balls.

About the American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC)
Founded in 1935, the American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC) is the largest amateur baseball organization in the United States for players above junior baseball age and the only amateur baseball program that provides progressive and continuous organized competition - sub teens through adults. It is coordinated with other programs through USA Baseball and the American Baseball Coaches Association.

Contact :
Amy Chilla
Rod Carew Baseball
Chicago, IL
+1 949-218-0312
achilla@rodcarewbaseball.com
http://www.rodcarewbaseball.com