Chicago, IL, April 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wilson Sporting Goods, the world’s leading manufacturer of high performance baseball and softball equipment, announced today a new partnership with Autism Speaks, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of people with autism and their families. Under the partnership, Wilson will create a limited-edition “Love the Moment™” collection of Wilson® and Louisville Slugger® baseball products,” to raise awareness of autism and funds to support Autism Speaks resources and programs.

Inaugural products in the “Love the Moment” line include a Wilson A2000® ball glove, Wilson A200 youth ball glove, Louisville Slugger Solo™ USA Baseball bat, Louisville Slugger Solo tee ball bat, and a Louisville Slugger MLB Prime® wood bat. These and other Wilson baseball products will carry special “Love the Moment” tags indicating the company’s support of the autism community and Autism Speaks.  Wilson expects to launch this line nationwide on April 24th, 2019 at wilson.com/en-us/autism-speaks.

Wilson will donate $100,000 this year to Autism Speaks to increase advocacy and support; provide reliable information and resources, and advance research into causes and better interventions. With an estimated one in 59 children affected by autism, Autism Speaks is dedicated to enhancing lives today and accelerating a spectrum of solutions for tomorrow.

“Autism affects a great number of people in the U.S., and that includes many of the baseball and softball families that we serve,” said Michael Markovich, Global Commercial Director, Wilson Baseball and Softball. “We know that every person with autism has unique strengths and challenges, and many may feel misunderstood or excluded.  We hope that through this partnership with Autism Speaks we can play a part in creating more understanding and acceptance of people with autism.”

“We’re excited to embark on this relationship with Wilson and are truly grateful for this support,” said Autism Speaks Strategic Initiatives and Innovations Officer Lisa Goring. “This partnership will help us meet the diverse needs of people with autism, through every stage of life.”

Wilson Sporting Goods’ partnership with Autism Speaks is the latest in a history of initiatives supporting important causes. The Company’s Louisville Slugger brand created the “Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer” initiative with Major League Baseball® in 2006, an effort that will be in its 14th year during the 2019 season.

About Autism

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. We now know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, and each person with autism can have unique strengths and challenges. A combination of genetic and environmental factors influence the development of autism, and autism often is accompanied by medical issues such as GI disorders, seizures, and sleep disturbances. Autism affects an estimated 1 in 59 children.

About Wilson Sporting Goods Co.

Chicago-based Wilson Sporting Goods Co., a division of Amer Sports Corporation, is the largest baseball and softball equipment company in the world today. In these sports, Wilson manufactures high-performance gloves, bats, uniforms, apparel, protective gear, accessories, and player-development equipment through its Wilson®, DeMarini®, Louisville Slugger®, Evoshield®, and ATEC® brands. The company uses player insights to develop products that push equipment innovation into new territories and empower athletes at every level to perform at their best.

About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. To find resources, join a fundraising walk or make a donation, go to www.AutismSpeaks.org.

Attachments

• 18-2130_2020_Wood_Bat_Line_Final
• 19-0704_Wilson_Autism_Speaks_Gloves_Collab_WB_EPDP_Mobile_640x900_FNL

Sally George
Wilson Sporting Goods
502-815-3304
Sgeorge@doeanderson.com