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It really comes down to broader market access, operational simplicity and stronger EBIT margins.

Didn't Smitty used to sell direct? Seems to me I had bought some items direct from them several years ago, including some great closeouts (navy "MLB style" convertible pullover that I wear, since Illinois is still stuck in the age of jive). It doesn't always make sense to run the front-end for your own product. It is a lot more involved and detailed than most people realize. When is the last time you went to your local Coca-Cola or Pepsi plant to buy soda? Grocery shopped at a farm? EDIT: Maybe they only run that outlet store.

Others (like @DerekGDS ) can speak specifically to Smitty better than I can but in general it's simply a business decision of where to focus your attention. Direct sales comes with a variety of headaches that some don't want to deal with plus it can give them easier access to a broader market. This is common in the electronics components (as in 40%-80% of the value of the computer you are using).

Correct about the outlet store. Don’t forget dealers are established businesses with relationships with customers. Most of us have vendors we go to if we are casually shopping. Most officials wouldn’t think to google Smitty and order from them. The dealers have an “in” in the marketplace. A big part too is having a good relationship with dealers who sell and push your product. Selling direct destroys that.

I've never seen it except in Evan's balk video but in the past some pitchers would have the free foot with the heel up. I guess the heel coming down was the start of the pitch.