SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) October 24, 1997
RAWLINGS SPORTING GOODS COMPANY, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Missouri 0-24450 43-1674348
(State or other (Commission File (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of Number) Identification No.)
Incorporation)
1859 Intertech Drive, Fenton, Missouri 63026
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (314) 349-5000
_________________________________________________________________
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
<PAGE>
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.
Effective October 22, 1997, Carl J. Shields resigned
from his positions as Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief
Executive Officer and President of Rawlings Sporting Goods
Company, Inc. (the "Company"). The Board of Directors has named
Howard B. Keene as acting President and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company and Andrew N. Baur as the acting Chairman of the
Board.
The Company issued a press release on October 22, 1997,
announcing the resignation of Carl J. Shields as Chairman, CEO
and President, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit
99.1.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(c) Exhibits. The following Exhibits are filed with
this report:
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
99.1 Press Release, issued
October 22, 1997.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
RAWLINGS SPORTING GOODS COMPANY, INC.
By: /s/ Paul E. Martin
Paul E. Martin,
Chief Financial Officer
Date: October 24, 1997
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.1
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Paul E. Martin
Chief Financial Officer
(314) 349-3506
RAWLINGS ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION
OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CARL J. SHIELDS
ST. LOUIS, October 22, 1997 -- Rawlings Sporting Goods Company,
Inc. (NASDAQ:RAWL) announced today that Carl J. Shields resigned
as Chief Executive Officer and President of Rawlings and as
Chairman of the Board of Directors and as a Director in order to
pursue other opportunities. Mr. Shields has been Chairman of the
Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rawlings since
July, 1994.
The Board of Directors has appointed Howard B. Keene as acting
President and Chief Executive Officer of Rawlings and Andrew N.
Baur as the acting Chairman of the Board. Heading the search for
a new Chief Executive Officer and Chairman will be a special
committee of the Board of Directors.
Rawlings is a leading supplier of team sports equipment and
apparel.
