Vintage Baseball Glove Forum

Do you think a certain web design has the best function, looks, or shape?

Post your thoughts. Pictures are welcome.

My favorite web designs are variations of the open, I-bar, Double-I-bar, or "H-web," and the Trap-Eze and Modified Trap-Eze webs.

Some of my favorite players have worn the I-bar or H-web style, including Brooks Robinson, Cal Ripken Jr., and others. Both of those HOF-ers have said that the H-web style gave them some room for adjustment in their gloves; sometimes they needed loosening, sometimes they needed tightening, and the Rawlings H-webs and I-webs were more adjustable than other types of webs. (Both played for the O's ... coincidence?? I think not ... )

For the outfield, it seems a lot of players prefer the Trap-Eze webs, like Junior and Ichiro. I like the lacing pattern of Traps and Modified Traps; that just looks really cool, in addition to being a good pocket with which to catch a ball!

... didn't mean to post yet, as I just had another thought ...

The Rawlings Basket Web is also a favorite of mine. Of course, it is the most common pocket on the most common department-store gloves out there today, but I think it is a good design. It is strong with lots of crossed leather straps, but also very pliable and flexible, kind of cradling the ball as it is caught.

Hi- I like the I webs and recently I found one even better. Akadema has the Professional ARS 30.

It's a very sturdy 12.5 inch glove with an I web with a V web below it.

Of the 150 plus LEFTY gloves that I have- this is one of the most unusual and one of the best surprises. I know all I've been mentioning is Akadema but they DO make a great high-end glove.

Don't waste your time/money on the almost fingerless models. They feel terrible and function as poorly as they look.

Cheers,

Mr. Moose aka Mark

I have to go with the Dual Hinge Web, like the original ones on the Wilson A2000's. Sturdy, yet with just the right amount of "give" to securely trap the ball on impact.

Classic web, quintessential baseball glove design.

Here is a version of that popular web design on a former MLB player's glove.

[img][img]http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x4/GloveGypsy/IMG_0155.jpg[/img]
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Without getting too specific with an actual web type, the real debate is a "open" or "closed" web.

If I am a pitcher, that is a no-brainer...it has to be a closed web.

If I am an infielder, it has to be on open web...no-brainer again.

If I am an outfielder, it is either a trap or a large open web glove.

I think most professional ball players these days stick to these rules. The only exceptions that come to mind are Derek Jeter using a basket web, or players such as Omar Vizquel, or Craig Biggio using panel web gloves. I am sure that you all can come up with other examples, but if you look around the "rule" will be pretty obvious.

As for me...

At first base I prefer the old DCT type of web.

In the infield it is probably an "I" web of some sort.

In the outfield it is a trap or big open web without question.

WW,
Agreed about infield and open webs, although I still have my x-laced panel web Rawlings LB-15 from high school.

Question: When did the I-Web or center-post webs become popular?

Worldwin: Is the DCT type the same as a 'panel web'? I have a DCT-7 that has an extension of the pocket leather with two panels above. I also have a DC with the pocket extension and a basket. They both seem to 'grab' the ball, especially the basket.

I don't really know what to call the 'pocket extension' except that the leather of the pocket continues up into the lower portion of the web. The DCT has two horizontal panels forming the upper portion while the DC has the basket on the upper portion.

jackwhale,

Here is a good example of the DCT from a site in Japan:

http://thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp/s/?@0_gold/baseman/image/05-02-r-dct.jpg

I have this same model in a vintage, near mint, GFB-7 Mizuno WW from Japan, as well as a Japanese made Zett. I used to play with a USA made A2800, but I really like this pattern better.

GG, I am not sure when the I-Web or center-post gloves took off. I am sure someone with more knowledge on gloves can chime in on this one.

For me it was the A2000 XLO that really got my juices flowing.

But, I have to say my TSU-3 and TSU-III World Win's are hard to beat if you are into single post gloves.

thanks worldwin. My DCT-7 has the same web.

modified trap, because i think it's the most flexible when it comes to positions. good in the middle infield, 3rd, definitely pitcher, and even the outfield. i know that the size differes at each position, but the web itself is very flexible.

I am a Trapeze person all day long. They have a very forgiving pocket while playing and IMO are as pretty a style as there is.

For me, it's the single-post web. I was an outfielder, and on sunny days, you could put the glove up and block the sun and still see the ball through the open web if you did it right. An example would be the A2000 XLO.