What Tanner Tees does

Tanner Tees is a US-based manufacturer of baseball and softball batting tees, founded in 1993 by former hitting coach Joe Tanner in Sarasota, Florida. The company produces industry-standard training equipment adopted across professional (MLB), collegiate, and youth baseball/softball segments. Its product portfolio comprises three core lines—The Original ($99.99), Pro ($119.99), and Heavy ($129.99)—each available in multiple height variants (Junior 18–25", Youth 20–32", Low Ball 16–23", Adult 26–43"), plus a replacement parts and accessories ecosystem (Tee Stems, Bases, Flextop, Tee Weight, Tee Extension). All products are manufactured in the USA and built around proprietary Flextop technology and patented tee designs.

The business model is direct-to-consumer hardware sales through the e-commerce storefront at tanner.rawlings.com, supplemented by Rawlings' retail distribution network, a team/group sales program for bulk institutional purchases, and a SidelineSwap-powered secondary-market trade-in program. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware transactions with ASPs from $59.99 (Junior) to $129.99 (Heavy), with Buy Now Pay Later options (Afterpay, Klarna, Affirm) supporting conversion at higher price points. Customer segments are segmented horizontally across professional, collegiate, youth, and individual consumer use cases, each addressed by size-appropriate SKUs.

In September 2025, Tanner Tees was acquired by Rawlings Sporting Goods, integrating the brand into a portfolio that includes Rawlings, Easton, Miken, and Worth. The acquisition provided immediate access to Rawlings' global distribution, marketing, and dealer-portal infrastructure. Post-acquisition, the brand has begun international expansion: Rawlings Japan LLC commenced domestic sales in Japan in March 2026, representing the brand's first international market and a template for further Rawlings-distributed geographies.

Name

Tanner Tees

Legal name

Rawlings Sporting Goods (Parent)

Website

https://tannertees.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tanner Tees is a US manufacturer of industry-standard baseball and softball batting tees used by MLB, collegiate, and youth programs. Founded in 1993 and acquired by Rawlings Sporting Goods in 2025, the brand sells direct-to-consumer via tanner.rawlings.com and through Rawlings' global distribution network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Baseball & Softball Training Equipment

NAICS

Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (339920), Sporting Goods Retailers (45911)

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Baseball & Softball Equipment Retail (CRAMAEAA)

Keywords

• Batting tees
• Baseball training equipment
• Softball training gear
• Hitting practice equipment
• Sports training hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

Sarasota

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Batting Tee Hardware Sales: Primary revenue from direct sales of batting tees and accessories. Products are one-time purchases with no recurring subscription component. Price points range from $59.99 (Junior) to $129.99 (Heavy). Replacement parts and accessories provide additional per-transaction revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Tanner Tees manufactures and sells baseball and softball batting tees, producing industry-standard training equipment in three main lines (Original, Pro, Heavy) across multiple size variants (Junior, Youth, Low Ball, Adult). The company also offers replacement parts and accessories such as Tee Stems, Tee Bases, Flextop, Tee Weights, and Tee Extensions. All products are manufactured in the USA and distributed through the tanner.rawlings.com e-commerce site and Rawlings' retail network.

Product overview

Tanner Tees is a manufacturer of baseball and softball batting tees, the industry-standard training equipment widely used by MLB teams, youth programs, and colleges. Founded by former baseball coach Joe Tanner in Sarasota, Florida, the company produces batting tees in three main product lines: The Original (entry level), Pro (professional grade), and Heavy (enhanced stability). Each line is available in multiple size variants including Junior (18–25"), Youth (20–32"), Low Ball (16–23"), and Adult (26–43") to serve players of all ages. The product portfolio also includes replacement parts and accessories such as Tee Stems, Tee Bases, Flextop replacements, Tee Weights, and Tee Extensions. All products are manufactured in the USA. The company was acquired by Rawlings in September 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tanner Tees Pro Batting Tee (Adult 26–43") Professional-grade batting tee with adjustable height from 26 to 43 inches, designed for adult baseball and softball players seeking durable, intensive-use equipment.
• Tanner Tees The Original Batting Tee (Adult 26–43") The foundational Tanner batting tee with adjustable height from 26 to 43 inches, designed for adult baseball and softball players.
• Tanner Tees Heavy Batting Tee (Adult 26–43") Heavy-duty batting tee with enhanced weight and stability, adjustable from 26 to 43 inches, designed for intensive training environments.
• Tanner Tees The Original Batting Tee (Youth 20–32") The Original batting tee in youth sizing with adjustable height from 20 to 32 inches, designed for younger baseball and softball players.
• Tanner Tees The Original Batting Tee (Low Ball 16–23") The Original batting tee in low-ball sizing with adjustable height from 16 to 23 inches, designed for practicing low pitches.
• Tanner Tees Junior Batting Tee (18–25")

Quantifiable outcome

• Widely used across MLB, youth programs, and colleges - establishing industry-standard status

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rawlings Sporting GoodscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Rawlings acquired TANNER TEES in September 2025, bringing the batting tee brand under the Rawlings portfolio of sports equipment brands (including Rawlings, Easton, Miken, and Worth). This acquisition marks Rawlings' entry into the diamond sports training equipment market and provides Tanner Tees access to Rawlings' global distribution network and marketing infrastructure.
• AfterpayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancing partnership allowing customers to make monthly payments with no late fees. Enhances product accessibility for consumers preferring installment payments.
• KlarnaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancing partnership offering flexible payment options for customers. Integrated into checkout experience on tanner.rawlings.com.
• AffirmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancing partnership providing transparent payment options for customers. Alternative to traditional credit for purchasing batting equipment.
• SidelineSwapminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBat Trade-In program partnership enabling customers to exchange used bats and equipment. Powered by SidelineSwap marketplace platform, driving customer retention and secondary market engagement.
• Rawlings Japan LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRawlings Japan LLC announced domestic sales of Tanner Tees in Japan beginning early March 2026, marking the first international market expansion for the brand. Rawlings Japan will distribute the product line with three initial models priced between 8,580 and 33,000 yen.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• SKLZ: SKLZ is a direct competitor in athletic training equipment, selling batting, hitting, and swing training aids to the same baseball/softball consumer base. Both companies occupy the "training aid" shelf, sell directly through e-commerce, and target individual athletes and parents.
• Franklin Sports: Franklin Sports manufactures and distributes baseball/softball training equipment and accessories, including batting tees. Competes head-to-head with Tanner Tees in the baseball/softball training retail channel, including big-box retail and online.
• Jugs Sports: Jugs Sports specializes in baseball and softball pitching, hitting, and fielding training equipment. Its product line overlaps with Tanner Tees in batting practice equipment, particularly for serious athletes and coaching facilities.
• Champro Sports: Champro Sports manufactures team sports equipment including baseball/softball training aids, batting tees, and field equipment. Competes on price-performance in the team/group and institutional buyer segment.
• ATEC (Athletic Training Equipment Company): ATEC manufactures baseball and softball training equipment for professional and amateur athletes, including pitching machines, batting tees, and hitting aids. Direct competitor in the diamond sports training equipment category now part of the same Rawlings portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Easton: Easton is a sibling brand under the Rawlings portfolio that sells broader baseball/softball equipment (bats, gloves, batting accessories). The two are now co-distributed, share the team sales portal, and overlap in hitting training accessories like hitting mats and nets.
• Louisville Slugger (Wilson Sporting Goods): Louisville Slugger is a brand of Wilson Sporting Goods and serves the same baseball customer base across bats, gloves, and accessories. It is comparable as an established sporting goods incumbent with overlapping distribution in training and equipment categories.
• Mizuno USA: Mizuno is a global sporting goods manufacturer with a strong baseball/softball equipment line, including gloves, bats, and training gear. Compares as a broad incumbent selling into the same customer segments including MLB, college, and youth.
• Wilson Sporting Goods: Wilson is a broad sporting goods incumbent with deep baseball/softball equipment lines (including Louisville Slugger). Comparable as a multi-category competitor that owns premium positioning across gloves, bats, and training gear.

Others

• Rawlings Sporting Goods: Rawlings is the parent company that acquired Tanner Tees in September 2025. Included here as the umbrella brand now controlling distribution, marketing, and product strategy for Tanner Tees' products across North America and Japan.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TannerTees
• Facebookfacebook.com/tannertees
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tanner-tees-tanner

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tanner Tees