Baseball Express Acquires Softball Sales; Acquisition Creates the World's Largest Baseball and Softball Direct Retailer.

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 21, 1999--

Locally-based Baseball Express Inc., the nation's leading direct retailer of brand name baseball equipment and apparel, today announced that the Company is acquiring Houston-based Softball Sales, the top direct retailer of brand name softball equipment and apparel.

The transaction is scheduled to be completed June 30.

Rich Covyeau, president and CEO of Baseball Express Inc., said the acquisition of Softball Sales will make Baseball Express the world's largest baseball and softball direct retailer. He added that the acquisition will benefit customers by providing increased convenience and greater product selection. Baseball Express will increase the number of catalogs distributed from 2.5 million to 4 million worldwide, and will add over 1,000 new products to its current line-up.

"Ball players here in the United States and worldwide now have the best selection of baseball and softball equipment and apparel all in one centralized location," Covyeau said. "Through our extensive call center operations and Web site, we're able to provide 'fanatical' customer service. Customers can place orders and ask about things such as the status of their order or product availability, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. No matter what side of the globe you're on, you will always be able to reach us."

Founded in 1990, Baseball Express provides gloves, bats, balls, shoes, apparel, training equipment and related accessories to ball players of all ages throughout the world. In addition to the San Antonio location, the company has sales operations in Germany, Italy, Austria, France, Spain, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Belgium, Ireland and Scotland, including a major ordering center in the Czech Republic and a distribution center in Germany.

Mike Speck, president and CEO of Softball Sales, said he and his family are excited about the expansion of products and services that will benefit their customers. Speck, his two brothers, David and Stephen, and his brother-in-law, Randy Jatzlau, founded the company in 1973 with a storefront in Houston.

"Being a family business, we think of our customers as family, too. It has always been our mission to provide quality products and services to our customers for the best price around. The Speck family has a 25-year track record in the softball industry, and we're looking forward to the new initiatives planned with Baseball Express," Speck said.

Speck will become a member of Baseball Express Inc.'s board of directors and Stephen Speck will manage vendor relations. In addition, the Speck family will receive stock in the combined company as a result of the transaction.

Covyeau said Baseball Express' acquisition of Softball Sales will also help the Company better service the growing fast-pitch softball market.

"We've seen the popularity of fast-pitch softball increase over the past few years, and we're dedicated to providing those players the same great selection our baseball customers enjoy," he said.

Baseball Express and Softball Sales offer products from well-known manufacturers such as Easton, Rawlings, Worth, Wilson, Reebok, Mizuno, Louisville Slugger and Nike.

Marty Archer, president of Louisville Slugger, said the acquisition is good news for the baseball and softball manufacturing community, and is reflective of the two companies' progressive vision and commitment to the game.

"Baseball Express and Softball Sales have distinguished themselves with outstanding product, value and service. The coming together of these two companies is highly complementary and will create synergies that will benefit not only the baseball and softball manufacturing community, but more importantly, the players of the game as well," Archer said.

As part of the transition, Baseball Express will be moving all of Softball Sales' Houston operations, including its distribution and call centers, to San Antonio, adding approximately 30 new jobs. In addition, Softball Sales employees have the opportunity to make the move to San Antonio with the Company, Covyeau said.

"One of the greatest services to our customers is our knowledge of the market and product. The folks at Softball Sales have been in the softball industry for a quarter of a century, and their expertise will be a great asset to our company," he said.

Headquartered in San Antonio, Baseball Express Inc. is the nation's leading direct retailer of brand name baseball equipment, apparel, footwear and related accessories, and employs approximately 70 people.