Ebbets Field Flannels has a new minority investor, as 7th Inning Stretch, LLC has made an investment in the Seattle-based apparel company. Currently 7th Inning Stretch owns the Stockton Ports (High A; California League), Delmarva Shorebirds (Low A; Sally League), and the Everett AquaSox (Short Season A; Northwest League).
Established in 1988 by Jerry Cohen and Lisa Cooper, Ebbets Field Flannels specializes in bringing the quality, beauty, and craftsmanship of traditional authentic garments from the late 19th to mid 20th century to the present day public. Items made by EFF include flannel jerseys, baseball caps, jackets, knitwear and casual wear, and each piece is historically accurate and handcrafted with authentic fabrics. All products are made entirely in the United States at the company’s Seattle factory.
“We are very excited to invest in such a unique company,” said 7th Inning Stretch, LLC Chairman and C.E.O. Tom Volpe, who will take a seat on EFF’s Board of Directors. “This investment gives us the opportunity to create a new partnership based on the history of baseball. We share in the mission of continuing the legacy of the sport with new generations of fans.”
Ebbets Field Flannels has had uniforms and apparel appear in the 2013 Warner Bros. film “42: The Jackie Robinson Story” and has been featured in Sports Illustrated and at numerous “Turn Back the Clock” games and events. Their products are a popular fashion choice for a number of celebrity fans including David Letterman and Spike Lee.
“Ebbets Field Flannels is delighted about 7th Inning Stretch’s investment and our new partnership,” said Jerry Cohen President of EFF. “We share the same passion for the historical values of baseball and feel confident that our partnership will result in even more products, services and opportunities for our customers.”
This marks the first non-team related investment by 7th Inning Stretch, which owns the Stockton Ports, an Oakland Athletics affiliate, in the California League, the Delmarva Shorebirds, a Baltimore Orioles affiliate, in the South Atlantic League, and the Everett AquaSox, a Seattle Mariners affiliate, in the Northwest League.
“With this investment 7th Inning Stretch is looking forward to assisting Ebbets Field Flannels in growing their business utilizing our experience and infrastructure in the baseball industry,” said Pat Filippone President of 7th Inning Stretch. “We also look forward to investigating and implementing unique opportunities for our current patrons via our new partnership.”