MLB baseballs are made by Rawlings Sporting Goods at a dedicated factory in Costa Rica, and Rawlings has been the official ball supplier of Major League Baseball since 1977.
Rawlings is known across the sport for its gloves, bats, and helmets in addition to the official game ball used in every MLB stadium.
Rawlings is jointly owned by Seidler Equity Partners, a Los Angeles based private equity firm, and Major League Baseball itself, following a 395 million dollar deal completed in 2018.
Knowing who makes MLB baseballs and where they come from helps fans understand the craftsmanship and supply chain behind America’s pastime.
This article covers Rawlings ownership, where MLB baseballs are manufactured, and how the ball is built from the inside out.
So let’s get started.
Quick Answer: Rawlings Sporting Goods makes every official MLB baseball. The balls are hand stitched in Costa Rica, and Rawlings itself is jointly owned by Seidler Equity Partners and Major League Baseball.
Table of Contents
Who Makes MLB Baseballs and Where Are They Made?
Rawlings has held the exclusive contract to supply Major League Baseball with official game balls since 1977, when it took over from longtime supplier Spalding.
Rawlings was founded in St. Louis, Missouri in 1887 and today is headquartered in the St. Louis area, though the company also produces gear under the Easton, Miken, and Worth brand names.
Its contract with MLB was renewed in 2023 and now runs through the 2029 season.
Where Are MLB Baseballs Made?
Every official baseball used in Major League Baseball is manufactured at a dedicated Rawlings facility in Turrialba, Costa Rica.
Rawlings moved production to Costa Rica in the late 1980s after previously manufacturing baseballs in Haiti, where political instability made operations unreliable.
The Costa Rica plant employs roughly 300 workers and produces millions of baseballs a year, covering both MLB games and the broader consumer market.
Each ball takes about ten days to complete from raw materials to a finished, game ready product.
How Is an MLB Baseball Constructed?
Every MLB baseball starts with a small cork and rubber core known as the pill, which is wrapped in multiple layers of wool and cotton yarn.
The wound core is then covered in cowhide leather sourced primarily from cattle raised in the United States.
Workers hand stitch the two leather panels together using exactly 108 stitches of red waxed thread, a process that has remained largely unchanged for decades.
Who Owns Rawlings, the Company That Makes MLB Baseballs?
Rawlings changed hands several times before landing in its current ownership structure. Spalding, K2 Inc, and Newell Brands each owned the company at different points over the past century.
In 2018, Newell Brands sold Rawlings to Seidler Equity Partners and Major League Baseball for 395 million dollars, giving MLB direct input into how its official baseballs are produced.
Rawlings employs roughly 1,500 people worldwide, including about 200 at its St. Louis area headquarters.
Rawlings vs Wilson: Who Supplies Which League?
Rawlings and Wilson are the two biggest names in American ball sports, but each dominates a different league.
Rawlings supplies the official baseball for MLB, Minor League Baseball, and the NCAA, while Wilson holds the contract to make the official football used by the NFL.
Both companies rely on overseas or Central American manufacturing for their leather sporting goods, though Rawlings still produces many of its baseball gloves domestically at a Missouri factory.
Are Rawlings Baseball Gloves Also Made in Costa Rica?
Not entirely. Rawlings baseballs come exclusively from the Costa Rica plant, but the company still manufactures many of its gloves at a factory in Washington, Missouri.
Rawlings has sourced leather from the Horween Leather Company in Chicago since 1929, a partnership that continues to supply many of its premium glove lines today.
For more on how other sporting goods brands source their materials, see Where Are Titleist Golf Balls Made and Who Makes Noodle Golf Balls.
Frequently Asked Questions About Who Makes MLB Baseballs
Are MLB baseballs made in the USA?
No. All official MLB baseballs are manufactured at a Rawlings facility in Costa Rica, though the leather often comes from cattle raised in the United States.
Who makes MLB baseballs today?
Rawlings Sporting Goods makes every official MLB baseball under a contract with the league that runs through 2029.
How many stitches are on an MLB baseball?
Every official MLB baseball has exactly 108 stitches, all sewn by hand using red waxed thread.
Who owns Rawlings?
Rawlings is jointly owned by Seidler Equity Partners and Major League Baseball, following a 2018 acquisition from Newell Brands.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.