Rawlings Hits a Home Run with Its New Immersive Experience at Westport Plaza

Batter up! Rawlings Sporting Goods has opened a new immersive baseball experience at Westport Plaza in St. Louis.

The 14,000-square-foot Rawlings Experience features commemorative baseballs, a glove vault, a glove bar, batting cages and a pro room for player appearances – plus, fascinating memorabilia and archival objects.

“A lot of people don’t know that Rawlings’ world headquarters have been in St. Louis since its inception in 1887,” senior director of brand marketing Lindsey Naber says. “This is a unique way to put us on the map and carve out a special place for baseball fans from near and far.”

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or not, you’ll find something that sparks your interest at the Rawlings Experience.

One of the biggest draws is the glove vault, which holds Gold Glove Awards from the Rawlings Gold Glove Hall of Fame. The area is lined with lockers decked out with memorabilia from the players, alongside their awards. Imagine an ode to the history of the Gold Glove Award, which Rawlings – not Major League Baseball – created in 1957.

At the glove bar, players of all ages and abilities can work with a Rawlings master craftsperson to customize their gloves from beginning to end. “With different leathers, laces, welting, binding and more, they can craft their own creations,” Naber says. “They’ll get the same treatment as the pros.”

In the batting cages, athletes can swing various bats, and depending on how long it takes to find the right one, they could be there for hours! The space houses the entire line of Rawlings products, so you can shop for the game’s hottest equipment, as well.

If you’re more interested in the artifacts, don’t miss the timeline that marks the most important moments in the history of Rawlings Sporting Goods – and, of course, baseball. The exhibit spotlights the Bill Doak glove, which was the precursor of modern glove design. Rawlings has dabbled in other sports, including hockey, tennis and golf, and it developed the first pair of football shoulder pads, which will be on display, too.

Throughout the experience, you’ll also find fantastic photo opportunities with statues such as a 10-foot Gold Glove and a mega baseball that shows its inner layers.

“St. Louis is a sports town, and we love our baseball,” Naber says. “Whether you’re here to see your first or 40th Cardinals game, it just makes sense to stop by the Rawlings Experience during your stay.”

Bookend your visit to the Rawlings Experience with a meal at Soda Fountain Express, a dressed-up diner offering grilled eats, old-time sweets and over-the-top treats, and a drink at 360 Westport, which boasts panoramic views, craft cocktails and elevated dishes in a swanky setting.