New Partnerships with Baseball Superstars Bobby Witt Jr. and Paul Skenes
PHOENIX, Feb. 14, 2025 - Nokona, the iconic made-in-America baseball brand, announces its partnership with Rookie-of-the-Year pitching sensation Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Kansas City Royals' All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who wear the company's popular ShowBelts®. The highly customizable and personalized game belts are worn by many pro players, allowing them to showcase their individuality and personal style. Witt's and Skenes' unique belt designs will soon be available for purchase.
Witt Jr., entering his fourth season in the majors, made history last season becoming the first shortstop in MLB history to record multiple 30 homer/30 steal seasons in a career. He is excited about becoming the first ShowBelts® endorser, which official started at the time of his playoff debut last season, after he started wearing ShowBelts® in 2022.
"Everyone in MLB is wearing them," Witt Jr. said. "I love designing mine and am looking forward to wearing several new ones I designed for this season - I've got quite the collection going."
Skenes reports to Spring Training this week after a stellar season in 2024. In addition to winning NL Rookie of-the-Year, he was named the starting pitcher for the National League in the 2024 All-Star Game, which only four other players have done in the history of Major League Baseball as rookies. Skenes was named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player after winning the 2023 National Championship with Louisiana State University.
"When you make the Majors, you wear ShowBelts®," said Skenes. "Authenticity is important to me. I love the quality of ShowBelts® and that they are American-made. I like showing off the American flag."
ShowBelts® are easily recognizable on field with unique elements including vibrant colorful accents that contrast with the belts, special personalization features showing names, numbers, and country flags, and proprietary design features like extra-wide "Show" keepers, and "Flash" designs with multiple leather types and colors on the same belt. Nokona offers lifestyle ShowBelts® for off-the-field wear.
Jeff Beraznik, President of Nokona Ballgloves, is pleased with the growth of ShowBelts® and proud of the partnerships with Witt Jr. and Skenes.
"Not only are Bobby and Paul exceptional players, but they are perfect representatives of the Nokona ShowBelts® brand – their uniqueness as athletes is reflected in the highly customizable game belts they personally design, giving them the chance to show their originality. It's always fun to see how the pros customize their gear, and exciting that our customers can go through the same design process to create their own belts – and be inspired by greats like Witt Jr. and Skenes."
Nokona started its ShowBelts® division in 2017, presenting customizable belts to Major League Clubhouse Managers who initially had mixed reactions. During the first Spring Training visits, players spontaneously referred to these belts as ShowBelts®, alluding to the high quality and attention to detail inherent in making it to the top of the game. ShowBelts® have since become an essential part of the professional uniform, with most players owning a variety that they alternate throughout the season. Their surge in popularity led What Pros Wear to call ShowBelts® "the unofficial belt of MLB." Sandy Alomar Jr.'s ShowBelt® that he gave to Oscar Gonzalez just before his famous walk-off home run in the 2022 playoffs is on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
ABOUT NOKONA
Nokona was founded in 1926, producing leather goods in Texas along the famed Chisholm Trail. Since 1934, Nokona has been handcrafting ballgloves in the USA, using its legendary leathers, and drawing from generations of proud tradition combined with cutting-edge innovation. Nokona is built around exceptional quality and classic American craftsmanship, using techniques developed for close to 100 years, and celebrating the timelessness of baseball.
SOURCE Nokona American Ballgloves
