UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-98,010

RAWLINGS SPORTING GOODS COMPANY INC.

MIKEN SPORTS DIVISION

CALEDONIA, MINNESOTA

Certification Regarding Eligibility

To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and

Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended (the Act), 19 U.S.C. § 2273, the Department of Labor
(Department) herein presents the results of an investigation
regarding certification of eligibility to apply for Trade
Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for workers.

The group eligibility requirements for workers of a firm
under Section 222(a) of the Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2272(a), are
satisfied if the following criteria are met:

(1) a significant number or proportion of the workers in
such workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision of the
firm, have become totally or partially separated, or are
threatened to become totally or partially separated;

(2)(B)(i) there has been a shift in production by such
workers' firm or subdivision to a foreign country of
articles like or directly competitive with articles which
are produced by such firm or subdivision; and

(ii)(I) the country to which the workers' firm has
shifted production of the articles is a party to a free
trade agreement with the United States;

(II) the country to which the workers' firm has
shifted production of the articles is a beneficiary under
the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or the Caribbean
Basin Economic Act; or

(III) there has been or is likely to be an increase
in imports of articles that are like or directly
competitive with articles which are or were produced by
such firm or subdivision

The investigation was initiated in response to a Trade
Adjustment Assistance for Workers (TAA) and Alternative Trade
Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) petition dated July 19, 2021, and
filed on July 20, 2021 on behalf of former workers of Rawlings
Sporting Goods Company Inc., Miken Sports Division, Caledonia,
Minnesota (Rawlings/Miken-Caledonia). In accordance with 20 C.F.R.
618.110 a worker group is defined as, ""¦inclusive of teleworkers
and staffed workers."

Rawlings/Miken-Caledonia is engaged in activities related to
the production of softball bats, baseball bats, and batters'
helmets, and are not separately identifiable by product.

The petition alleges that worker separations, or threats
thereof, were due to a shift in production to a foreign country.

During the course of the investigation, the Department
collected information from the petitioner(s), the workers' firm,
and other relevant sources.

Section 222(a)(1) has been met because a significant number
or proportion of the workers in Rawlings/Miken-Caledonia have
become totally or partially separated, or are threatened to become
totally or partially separated.

Section 222(a)(2)(B) has been met because a shift in
production by the workers' firm to a foreign country has occurred
and there has been or is likely to be an increase in imports of
articles like or directly competitive with the articles which are
or were produced by Rawlings/Miken-Caledonia.

ALTERNATIVE TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE

In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended (the Act), 19 U.S.C. § 2813, the Department herein presents
the results of its investigation regarding certification of
eligibility to apply for Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance
(ATAA) for older workers.

The group eligibility requirements for workers of a firm
under Section 246 (a)(3)(A)(ii) of the Trade Act are satisfied if
the following criteria are met:

(I) Whether a significant number of workers in the
workers' firm are 50 years of age or older;
(II) Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess
skills that are not easily transferable; and
(III) The competitive conditions within the workers'
industry (i.e., conditions within the industry are
adverse).

Section 246(a)(3)(A)(ii)(I) has been met because a
significant number of workers in Rawlings/Miken-Caledonia are 50
years of age or older.

Section 246(a)(3)(A)(ii)(II) has been met because the workers
in the workers' firm possess skills that are not easily
transferrable.

Section 246(a)(3)(A)(ii)(III) has been met because conditions
within the workers' industry are adverse.

Conclusion

After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that workers of Rawlings/Miken-
Caledonia, who are engaged in activities related to the production
of softball bats, baseball bats, and batters' helmets, meet the
worker group certification criteria under Section 222(a) of the
Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2272(a). In accordance with Section 223 of the
Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2273, I make the following certification:

"All workers of Rawlings Sporting Goods Company Inc., Miken
Sports Division, Caledonia, Minnesota, who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after July 19,
2020, through two years from the date of certification, are
eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Chapter 2
of Title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, and are
also eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment
assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended."

Signed in Washington, D.C. this 14th day of September, 2021


/s/ Del-Min Amy Chen
_______________________
DEL-MIN AMY CHEN

Certifying Officer, Office of

Trade Adjustment Assistance