1. Why so Many Gloves? By: Shane King Trent Wray

2. Why We Care “…it’s just that a baseball glove is personal.” – Yogi Berra “It is impossible to overestimate the effect gloves have had on the game of baseball. Perhaps no innovation has changed the game more.” – Noah Liberman

3. How gloves have changed Baseball Overhand Pitching Fielding Percentage Easier Catches One-handed Fielding Live ball Era Tags and Putouts Photo taken from National Baseball Hall of Fame

4. History of the Baseball Glove Began with Bare Hands – Real Men didn’t Wear Gloves Fielding style was two-handed “springbox” technique – Similar to Cricket – Very hard for catchers and first basemen, who often broke their hands.

5. Timeline for first gloves Doug Allison (1870)– Cincinatti Red Stockings – First recorded use of a glove (catcher) – Used buckskin mittens – Ridiculed for being “soft” Charles Wiatt (1875) – St. Louis Brown Stockings – First fielder to use a glove (flesh colored) at first base Albert Spalding (1877) – Chicago White Stockings – Made gloves popular Bid McPhee – Cincinatti Red Stockings 2 nd baseman – Last Holdout – Began using a glove in 1896. – Error total dropped by two thirds

6. First Fielding Gloves 1884 – rules change that allowed pitchers to throw overhand 1870’s-1880’s – Gloves were only sometimes worn by fielders – Worn on Both Hands – Fielding style was “springbox” technique

7. First Fielding Gloves 1880’s – Early 1900’s – Gloves resembled “work gloves” – Worn on both hands – Fielding technique still “springbox” (knocked ball down) – Catchers caught with mittens (“Catcher’s Mitt”) 1900’s – 1919 – True, Padded gloves were introduced – First attempt at webbing

8. Bill Doak Model 1919 – Bill Doak Model – Pocket – Padding around the palm and in thumb – 2-piece leather web – “Fingerless” – Still caught ball in palm – Style held until 1950’s, although webbing and finger lacing improved.

9. The Wilson A2000 Modern Glove – Full “Basket” Webbing – Stiffer thumb – Larger pocket – Stiff, tightly laced fingers – Could close fingers around the ball – Made one-handed catch possible – Still modified versions today

10. General Components of a Modern Baseball Glove A. Shell B. Webbing C. Lacing D. Lining (inside glove)

11. Some General Functional Uses of The Modern Glove Shield the hands from high-velocity impact – Move point of contact from palm to webbing – Provide more padding where impact is highest Provide maximum surface area for contact with the ball Close on and hold the ball once contact is made Allow the player to get the ball out of the glove quickly Be light and movable Often a compromise between one or more of the above Position Specific!

12. Gloves By Position: Middle Infield Small (10.5-12”) Pocket more in palm Light Less Padding Less Surface Area of shell Stiff, Curved fingers Closed or Open Webbing

13. Gloves By Position: Third Base Slightly Larger (11-12.5”) “Hot Corner” Bigger, more padded middle infield glove Many third basemen use middle infield gloves

14. Gloves By Position: Outfield Large (12.5-13.5”) High Shell and Webbing Surface Area Long, stiff, straight fingers (for “snowcone” catches) Longer pocket Exchange and weight are compromised

15. Gloves By Position: First Base Large (12.5-13.5”) High shell surface area Long, wide pocket Highly suited to catch a thrown ball Long, stiff, straight fingers to dig or field ground balls Exchange and weight are compromised

16. Gloves By Position Catcher Measured by circumference (30-35”) – Highly Variable Highly padded, but stiff fingers Large Pocket, but little webbing Need to: – Pad – Receive (frame) – Exchange – Provide Target – Move Quickly

17. Gloves By Position Pitcher Size is Highly Variable (but 12-13” is good) Closed Webbing Ideally, closed back with finger sleeve Need to: – All the things an infielder does – Hide pitches

18. Quick Rundown on Brands Spalding, Rawlings, and Wilson were “originals” (Nokona) Louisville Slugger, Easton, Mizuno, Worth, SSK Nike, Akadema, Kelley, Zett

19. Guidelines For Selection FEEL!!! Function Durability Cost (endorsement?) Break in time Look If possible, try it out Photo from National Baseball Hall of Fame

20. Conclusion The function of baseball gloves has changed since their initial use The function of gloves today depend on the position for which they are used Although recent innovations have been tried, little has changed in fielding gloves since the Wilson A2000 When selecting a glove, feel is most important

21. “All-Star or Little Leaguer, a player's relationship with his glove is personal. Some players go through gloves and girlfriends at the same brisk rate. Others are together for the long haul. Some players treat gloves like leased cars, replacing them annually. Others clearly remember the first glove they owned.” - Lew Freedman, Chicago Tribune

22. Questions?