Baseball gloves provide hand protection for a baseball player. The
first glove was worn in about 1875. Before that, players were
expected to bear the pain of catching baseballs. Even though the
first gloves were rather thin, they helped protect the player's hand.
Baseball gloves are made with various types of leather. There are
four basic types of leather baseball gloves, optimally designed for
catchers, outfielders, first basemen, and other infielders. A
catcher's glove is heavily padded, and looks more like a mitten than
a glove; a first baseman's glove has a long pocket and is also heavily
padded to assist first basemen in catching hard-thrown balls. An
outfielder's glove is relatively large, to give outfielders the greatest
possible reach for catching fly balls and long grounders, whereas an
infielder's glove is relatively small, to assist infielders in reacting
quickly when retrieving and throwing balls. Infielders use a variety
of web styles, from the single patch webbing preferred by second basemen
to the I-webs and H-webs preferred at shortstop to the I and H models and
trapeze models preferred by third basemen. Pitchers often use a
glove with basket webbing while outfielders tend to prefer trapeze webbing.
Baseball gloves should be comfortable or players won't play their
best. A baseball glove should feel right. Oils or lotions
can be used to break it in, but don't overdo it; too much oil will make
the glove deteriorate more rapidly. Gloves that are treated with
oil at the factory will break in more quickly, but will not last as long
as untreated leather baseball gloves. A baseball glove should be
stored in a cool, dry place. BaseballGloves.us features convenient
access to popular baseball glove and equipment suppliers as well as
official Major League and Little League websites.
Official Major League Baseball Shop features a broad
selection of team merchandise. Here you will find team jerseys,
baseball caps, team memorabilia, baseball cards, and baseball gifts. Shop.MLB.com
This baseball organization is dedicated to preserving the history of baseball,
honoring excellence and achievements in baseball, and connecting generations of baseball players and fans. www.BaseballHall.org