Sports central: Local companies fill a lively niche.

Pro Athlete Inc. is an e-commerce company located just south of Kansas City International Airport. The web-based business specializes in selling baseball bats, softball bats and gloves. “We don’t manufacture anything, (but) in our warehouse we have every bat and every glove that’s made,” says chief executive Scott Hedrick. “We are the largest online dealer of bats. We sell Louisville sluggers, Rawlings.” The company is at 10800 N. Pomona Ave. in Kansas City, North. Photo By: Keith Myers kmyers@kcstar.com

Note: This blog post is an excerpt from the Kansas City Star and KansasCity.com

Kansas City is a sports town, and it’s also chock-full of businesses that make the sports world tick. Some of those companies are recognized instantly for their expertise and excellence in the sports world. Architectural firms such as Populous, HOK and HNTB build facilities, and companies like Garmin and Bushnell provide products.

But there are many names that are not at the forefront, though some of their creations are highly recognizable, such as the Hy-Vee Fan Zone at Arrowhead Stadium. Other companies aren’t well-known locally, but their work appears on the national and international sports stage including the revamped Bowl Championship Series for NCAA Division I football and the Olympics. Then there are managers and agents who help professional athletes with money management and business opportunities. Despite their behind-the-scenes roles, many companies are flourishing by supporting various aspects of the sports world.

Full Article: http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/community/joco-913/article104170046.html