Dave AndersonBaseballs2 products
The Rawlings Official MLB Baseball is the premium pick for collectors and keepsakes, with authentic regulation specs and traditional red stitching that looks sharp on a shelf. The Franklin Sports All Team Logo Ball costs about two bucks less, features all 30 team logos in one ball, and has a soft core that's gentler for casual backyard play or tee ball. Pick Rawlings if you want one ball per team for your collection; pick Franklin if you want all teams and actually want to throw it around.
Collectors and gift-givers
Casual players and budget-minded fans
| Feature | Rawlings Official MLB | Franklin Sports All Team Logo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | CA$10.99 | CA$7.99 |
| Cover MaterialFaux leather feels more like a real game ball and looks premium for display, while PVC is more durable and forgiving for actual play. | Faux leather (winner) | Gloss PVC |
| Team GraphicsThis is a tie because it depends on what you want: Rawlings gives you a dedicated ball for each team you collect, while Franklin gives you all teams in one. | One team logo per ball | All 30 MLB teams on one ball |
| Core DesignFranklin's soft core is safer for younger players and casual tee ball; Rawlings specs don't detail the core, suggesting it's built more for show than go. | Not listed | Soft sponge core (winner) |
| PriceFranklin costs about three dollars less, which adds up if you're collecting multiple balls or buying for a group. | 10.99 CAD | 7.99 CAD (winner) |
| Stitching & AuthenticityRawlings includes the commissioner's signature and authentic red stitching, making it feel like the real deal for collectors. | Traditional red stitching, commissioner's signature (winner) | PVC construction, no signature detail |
| Intended UseFranklin is marketed for actual play; Rawlings buyers report using theirs as keepsakes and trophies, not on the field. | Display and keepsakes | Recreational play and display (winner) |
| Customer RatingRawlings has a slightly higher rating and way more reviews, suggesting wider appeal and consistent quality over time. | 4.7 stars (14,133 reviews) (winner) | 4.5 stars (968 reviews) |
Collectors and gift-givers
This is the premium team logo ball, built to look sharp on a shelf or in a display case. It ships as a single ball per team, so you can collect one for each squad you love.
Casual players and budget-minded fans
This ball features all 30 MLB team logos under a gloss PVC cover and comes with a soft sponge core that's forgiving for tee ball and backyard tossing. It costs less and is gentler on younger hands.
Here's where these two really split personality. The Rawlings Official MLB rocks a faux leather cover that feels closer to a real game ball, with that traditional red stitching and the commissioner's signature printed right there on top. It's designed to make you feel like you're holding something special, and based on over 14,000 reviews, most people agree. The Franklin Sports All Team Logo Ball, meanwhile, goes full PVC plastic with a gloss laminate. It's tougher and shinier, which makes it bounce back from scuffs better, but it doesn't have that premium feel.
If you're displaying it on a shelf next to your team jersey, the Rawlings wins the looks department every time. But if your kid is gonna grab it, throw it, and maybe drop it on concrete a few times, the Franklin's PVC is actually your friend. Faux leather can show wear fast with real use, while plastic basically laughs in the face of a backyard beating.
The Rawlings wants to be one ball per team, so you build a collection over time and keep each one as a keepsake or seasonal memory. That's a nice touch if you've got kids playing organized ball, or if you're a serious fan building a shrine. The Franklin hands you all 30 teams on a single ball, which is wild and convenient, but also means you're not really collecting anything except one cool novelty.
Here's the dad truth: Rawlings buyers don't throw these. Franklin buyers do. Check the reviews. Rawlings folks talk about display and gifts; Franklin folks mention their kids actually playing with them. If that's your endgame, Franklin's soft core and PVC construction make way more sense. You're not paying extra for a trophy if you're gonna use it as a toy.
Go Rawlings Official MLB if you're building a collection, buying a gift for a serious fan, or want that premium keepsake feeling. Yes, it costs a couple bucks more, but the faux leather, red stitching, and commissioner's signature make it feel like the real deal. Pick one ball per team and watch your collection grow over the years.
Go Franklin Sports All Team Logo if you've got a younger player, a tight budget, or you actually want to throw this thing around. The soft sponge core is safer, the PVC cover can take a beating, and all 30 teams on one ball is a fun conversation starter. At 7.99 CAD, it's the smarter play for casual backyard ball.
Prices on amazon.ca as of September 17, 2026. Prices may change.
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