Baseball gloves

adam2434

The "other hobbies" thread made me want to start a thread on baseball gloves to see if anyone else collected them or had any special thoughts/feelings/stories about them.

A couple years ago, I decided that I wanted to get a nice, pro-level glove to break-in and use, and eventually give to my son when his hand is big enough for an adult glove (he just turned 9, so this is still a few years away). I had my heart set on a Wilson A2000 and bought one locally - it was a 12" with an H-web (good all-around utility glove, but mainly geared towards 3rd base). I found that the Wilson was just too tight, returned it, and bought a Rawlings Heart of the Hide PROAT3TLB from the same store. I fell in love with the glove, although it was not the size I really wanted - it's 11.5", so really a middle infield glove.

Enjoying the break-in and loving the feel and play of this first Rawlings Heart of the Hide led me down the path of acquiring a couple more just for the fun of breaking-in, playing catch, and collecting. I would definitely say I'm a Rawlings guy now, but generally enjoy baseball gloves as a hobby of its own (history, design, break-in techniques, etc.). To me, a high quality glove is a thing of beauty.

Last year I bought my son a Rawlings Gold Glove 11.25" Pro Taper model, which is a vey nice glove with a pro pattern, but with softer leather and a narrower wrist opening for younger players. It should last until he's ready to move up to an adult glove.

Here are some specifics on the gloves I own.

Rawlings PROAR3TLB (Heart of the Hide):
* 11.5" with I-web, middle infield glove.
* This is a unique glove because it has a modified conventional back (also known as a notch back). The combination of black leather and brown web and laces make it look pretty unique too.
* It has oil-treated Heart of the Hide leather, which made it fairly easy to break-in, but still holds it shape and body well.

Rawlings PRO20-9JB (Heart of the Hide):
* 12" with 2-piece solid web and conventional back, primarily designed as a pitcher's glove (many pros use it), but it could be used anywhere.
* It does not have oil-treated leather, so took a lot more time and effort to break-in. In my opinion, high quality gloves should require some time and effort to break-in. Gloves that come from the factory soft and broken-in typically won't last as long or maintain the feel like a glove that is made from stiff steer hide. I'm an "old school" guy about this and feel the break-in is part of the tradition and connection to one's glove.

Rawlings PRO1000HC (Heart of the Hide):
* 12" with H-web and conventional back, probably thought of as a 3rd base glove at the pro level, but certainly could be used anywhere except 1st and catcher.
* This is another unique glove because it is a "throwback" glove make from stiff, untreated Horween leather, which many old school purists believe is the best leather for gloves because of its durability, lasting feel, and shape retention. This was the stiffest glove I have ever seen - I mean I couldn't squeeze it together when I first got it. Six months later, and it still has a long way to go, but I enjoy the process. This particular model goes back 20 years or more. These throwback Horween gloves are not part of Rawlings' official line-up and are made special for a single online retailer. They are old school cool in my opinion.

Anyone else into gloves?

bruss

I have 2 heart of the hides. One is a trap-eze and its def. my favorite. The other is an outfield glove with the H web. I have always favored rawlings for some reason.


I Had this glove restored a while ago and its what i play catch with. I found it in my grandfathers basement.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88717

hearingimpared

^^^^ I had just typed up a reply with the link you posted and just before posting it I looked up and saw yours! DUH!

adam2434

bruss wrote: »

I have 2 heart of the hides. One is a trap-eze and its def. my favorite. The other is an outfield glove with the H web. I have always favored rawlings for some reason.


I Had this glove restored a while ago and its what i play catch with. I found it in my grandfathers basement.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88717

Nice!

Looks like it's from the 1930's-1940's, based on the design characteristics.

I-SIG

I have a super nice Nokona 14" for softball outfield.

Wes

GaryZ06

I have a Rawlings ( Heart of the Hide) HOH-50BF Gold Glove Series....I know nothing about it except I like it

NJPOLKER

I bought my son a new Wilson A2000 12 1/2" w/dual hinge a couple weeks ago.

He will use it for infield duty as well as on the hill. We have been breaking it in slowly by using some oil and throwing the ball. It's breaking in nicely. School baseball season starts Monday for him so I may re-oil it a little and put it in the oven at about 200 degrees for a few minutes being sure to watch the progress closely. I spent $210. and will not ruin it.

I have a Wilson A2000 from back in the day, around 1978. It needs to be re-strung because it has seen millions of baseballs. I cherished it because it was something I really wanted and even though my Mother Father bought it for me I always appreciated it. Fast forward 30+ years and Drew Jr. has a Wilson A2000. As I see it Drew Jr. will have fond memories about his glove for many many years as I still do. Hopefully he will cherish it as I did and not take it for granted down the road.

Back "in the day" I used a magnifying glass to burn in my last name. We'll do the same thing I think with this glove.

DollarDave

Mizuno and don't look back..

http://www.mizunousa.com/equipment.nsf/group?openform&div=baseball/softball&cat=10dia1-glo

adam2434

Rawlings, Wilson, Mizuno, Kelley, Nokona, Trevino...all make some nice gloves.

Glovesmith and Akadema make some nice gloves too.

You see a lot of Nike and TPX gloves being used by MLB pitchers, but not so much by position players. Rawlings, Wilson, and Mizuno dominate with position players...with a few Akadema thrown in.

NJPOLKER

I may have missed it but................ Did anyone say the player makes the glove? If not I just did

I do understand what this thread is all about but just could not resist saying that.

Roy Munson

I only have one glove, it's a Ted Williams Field Master I got around 1962.

NJPOLKER

DSkip wrote: »

The player doesn't exactly make the glove. They definitely give it the form, but if its not comfortable from the get-go it usually won't be after its broken in. Craftsmanship also goes a long way. I always hoped to find a Nokona I liked, because I think they have great build quality, but I could never find one (for any position) that felt the least bit comfortable. Half of them I couldn't even get my hand in.

I played a lot of baseball and can't remember one error I made because of my A2000. By the way I did make a few errors over the years :rolleyes: My A2000 still fit my hand like a glove

adam2434

It seems to me, based on the gloves I own and have tried on, that the high-end Rawlings, Wilson, and Mizuno (the three I’m most familiar with) are all very high quality in terms of the leather used, fit and finish, etc. I’m talking Rawlings Heart of the Hide and Pro Preferred Series, Wilson A2000 and A2K Series, and Mizuno in the same price range ($200-275).

Once you get into this range of quality, I think it comes down to preference, fit, brand loyalty (and endorsements at the pro level).

Like most things, once you get used to a high level of quality, it’s hard to think of going back to lesser. When I put my hand in the typical $50-75 glove at the local sporting goods store, I think “yuck”…overly-processed mushy leather, synthetic interior, and generally lower quality materials. I know this is a bit silly – it’s not like I play competitively and “need” a professional quality glove(s). I just like them and figure the gloves I own will last and get handed down to the next generation.

I really wanted an A2000 to work for me, but within a couple hours of owning one, I knew that it was just going to be too tight at the pinky knuckles. I tried to loosen the wrist, but that didn’t help. I was literally getting a blister just from squeezing the glove together repeatedly. Other A2000s I’ve tried on have the same issue for me. It seems that Rawlings designs in a roomier wrist/hand opening.

I-SIG

DSkip wrote: »

The player doesn't exactly make the glove. They definitely give it the form, but if its not comfortable from the get-go it usually won't be after its broken in. Craftsmanship also goes a long way. I always hoped to find a Nokona I liked, because I think they have great build quality, but I could never find one (for any position) that felt the least bit comfortable. Half of them I couldn't even get my hand in.

I guess I got lucky in a sense. A very knowledgeable baseball friend recommended Nokona, so I took a chance and it turned out great. I wish the pinky would wrap around a little more rather than flatten out for a better grip around the ball, but I'd rather have a super wide-open pocket than a glove I have to hold open to make a catch.

Wes

Nicjedi

Hey there adam I love the gloves. I just ordered my PRO1000HC and I have never used a glove with this type of tough leather so I was wondering how you broke it in and if you had used any treatment on it! It looks great. I noticed that it was more of a golden brown then the light tan that it's like when you buy it. How did you get it like this? Any tips on conditioning the glove or how to break it in/get that great tone would be amazing thank you!

[Deleted User]

Two years ago I was able to buy a Nokona AMG-175k at play it again sports, a used equipment shop. The glove was marked $59.00 and I asked if that price was for real. The guy said it was and that it was traded in by a little kid who got it as a birthday gift and didn't like it. Oh well, his loss. It took me a while to break it in but it is very soft now and a great glove for infield. :cool:

adam2434

Nicjedi, got your PM too, but I'll just reply here to your question above.

That Horween PRO1000HC was a **** to break in.

I used several very light applications of Glovolium and Wilson Pro Stock conditioner, which darkened the leather a bit to give it that honey brown color. I also conditioned the inside of the glove and finger stalls.

To break it in and form the pocket, I went to a batting cage and caught a few dollars worth of balls early on, played catch with my son and while coaching, and slammed a baseball into the pocket and worked the fingers and hinge quite a bit while watching TV. Also, I always keep a ball tied up in the pocket when not in use (I like to use Mitre velcro soccer sock straps from Walmart for glove wraps/ties).

Unfortunately, the PRO1000HC developed some premature cracking in the interior palm area. The glove was less than a year old and had not seen much use at all. Rawlings provides a 1 year warranty, replaced it, and actually upgraded me to a Pro Preferred because they didn't stock the PRO1000HC (I think only Don Morton Sports stocks it). Rawlings customer service was great...reminding me of Polk's customer service.

tk42one

@adam2434 I've been looking for your PROAR3TLB for years. Mine was stolen right off my front porch. This was the last glove my father bought me. I willing to pay whatever. Or if anyone else has this exact glove let me know and I WILL BUY IT!!!