Pitch Hit & Run delivered one of April’s biggest moments

The MLB Pitch Hit & Run competition on April 18 added one of the strongest community moments of the month. Ninety-nine players competed, and eight age-group winners hope to advance to the Team Championship round hosted at American Family Field! The indoor turf does more than support practice and rentals. It gives local athletes a place to compete, train, and build baseball memories inside a true sports-focused environment.

Events like Pitch Hit & Run also help connect retail, performance, and community in a way that a standard store experience cannot. Families step into a facility built around participation, not just product. That kind of energy keeps the New Berlin location moving in a direction that feels bigger than a traditional shopping trip.

Breaking down the April glove releases

Wilson Love the Moment, the Wilson Spring Collection, and the Rawlings Spring Collection all speak to what the baseball glove market has become in recent seasons. Performance still drives the category, but color, story, texture, and special-edition identity now matter just as much on the wall and on the field.

Wilson Love the Moment glove

The Wilson Love the Moment glove deserves attention because it goes beyond a standard special-edition release. Wilson built the Love the Moment line in collaboration with Autism Speaks, using the organization’s signature blue and distinct Love the Moment branding to turn a premium A2000 platform into a glove with a visible cause behind it. The most recognizable version in the series is the A2000 1786, an 11.5-inch infield model with Pro Stock leather, Wilson’s signature H-Web, and a shallow pocket. Wilson states that 10% of the purchase price of Love the Moment products goes to Autism Speaks, giving the glove real purpose in addition to premium fielding utility.

Wilson Spring Collection

The current Wilson spring story on the live Burghardt glove wall centers on bright A2000 infield models that keep performance front and center while leaning hard into seasonal color. Instead of treating the collection as a single item, the better way to read it is as a group of premium A2000 patterns that each serve a slightly different infield preference.

Wilson A2000 1786 Spring 2026 11.5-inch infield glove

The Spring 2026 A2000 1786 is the cleanest example of Wilson’s classic infield formula with a seasonal visual refresh. This model pairs Sky Blue Pro Stock leather with Navy Blue SuperSkin, then layers in optic yellow and pink accent work for a look that immediately reads as a spring drop rather than a standard catalog glove. Performance remains the real reason the glove matters. The 1786 pattern is Wilson’s iconic 11.5-inch infield shape, and the shallow pocket with H-Web design is built for quick exchange and clean transfer speed. SuperSkin reduces weight and adds moisture resistance, while Pro Stock leather keeps the glove in premium territory for durability and long-term structure. For middle infielders and quick-handed third basemen, this is a sharp blend of proven shape and fresh presentation.

Wilson A2000 Zach Neto Spring 2026 11.75-inch infield glove

The Zach Neto Spring 2026 A2000 expands the spring collection into a slightly larger infield profile. At 11.75 inches, this glove gives players a bit more reach while still staying well within true infield territory. The glove uses bright red Pro Stock leather in the palm and an H-Web that helps move the ball through the pocket quickly, but the identity of the glove really shifts with the cloud-style SuperSnakeSkin on the back. That material reduces weight, repels moisture, and creates a more modern visual finish than a fully traditional leather-backed glove. The result is a glove that feels built for players who like the idea of a little extra length without giving up a quick exchange profile. Shortstops who want a touch more range and third basemen who like a firmer, larger target should immediately understand the appeal.

Wilson A2000 José Ramírez Spring 2026 12-inch infield glove

The José Ramírez Spring 2026 A2000 is the loudest glove in the Wilson spring group, both in color and in on-field intention. Designed with a 12-inch DW5-style profile and Dual Post Web, the glove is built more for third base reaction plays and extended reach than for a compact middle-infield exchange pattern. Flamingo pink Pro Stock leather gives the glove an unmistakable look, while neon green SuperSkin trims weight and helps repel moisture. The 12-inch size, deeper pocket behavior, and sturdy Dual Post Web make this glove feel substantial in the hand, which is exactly the point. It is a spring collection glove with star-player visual energy, but it still sits on a performance build that serious corner infielders can trust.

Rawlings Spring Collection

The Rawlings spring glove story shows up a little differently. Rawlings is not asking players to choose between style and substance. The brand is using elite Heart of the Hide leather and proven gamer patterns as the platform for the visual shift.

Rawlings Heart of the Hide ColorSync 9.0 3039-6CPU 12.75-inch outfield glove

The ColorSync 9.0 3039-6CPU is one of the cleanest examples of what a spring glove drop can look like when an established brand fully commits to color. This 12.75-inch outfield glove uses camel and purple leather, then adds mint laces and mint welting to push the palette even further. The purple foil stamp and coordinated patch finish the look without taking away from the fact that this is still a Heart of the Hide outfield glove at its core. The 3039 pattern is a strong outfield shape for players who want length, reach, and a pocket that can control the ball on the move. In a spring collection context, this glove works because the cosmetic execution is bold, but the pattern underneath still reads as a serious gamer.

Rawlings Heart of the Hide Vibrant Series Camel/Purple 11.5-inch infield glove

The Vibrant Series camel and purple infield glove takes a more compact route than the ColorSync outfield model, but it may be even more appealing for players who want a flashy glove that still feels rooted in classic infield DNA. This glove uses Rawlings’ traditional 93 pattern and Pro-I web, which immediately places it in the conversation for fast-handed infield play. At 11.5 inches, the glove is built for confident pickups, quick funnels, and smooth transfer work. The Vibrant Series label fits the release well because the glove succeeds by pairing bold color with one of the most recognizable Rawlings style formulas. For infielders who want a glove that pops in the dirt without giving up familiar Rawlings structure, this is one of the best spring options on the wall.

Rawlings Heart of the Hide Funburst collection

The Funburst release may be the most important Rawlings spring story from a performance standpoint because the line blends visual energy with Rawlings R2G construction. Current Burghardt listings include Funburst 11.5-inch infield models such as the 2PUO and 2PUP, both built on the trusted 204 pattern. That pattern gives players a deeper pocket and standard palm width, making it a dependable infield shape for players who want secure control with strong transfer potential. The major technical advantage is the R2G break-in concept, which uses extra factory softening and a re-engineered heel pad to cut down on break-in time. Rawlings still pairs that easier path to game-readiness with Heart of the Hide leather from the brand’s top 5% steerhide selection, plus pro-grade leather laces and thermoformed wrist padding. In other words, Funburst does not just look like a spring release. It also solves one of the biggest premium glove pain points by getting players onto the field faster.

Upcoming community events to keep on the calendar

The community side of the month was not limited to April. The Burghardt Sporting Goods Blood Drive is scheduled for July 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the multipurpose room. Blood drives continue to be one of the clearest examples of how the New Berlin location serves more than retail. The space regularly supports activity that reaches beyond equipment and directly into community need.

The 145th Anniversary Sale was also teased as another major upcoming moment. Anniversary promotions at Burghardt Sporting Goods usually carry more than discount language. They create a reason to celebrate the store’s long history, local reputation, and place in Wisconsin sports culture. That kind of event keeps the brand story moving forward while staying rooted in what made the business matter in the first place.