Help me design a custom glove...

[RedSoxFan81]

I am looking at getting a Rawlings custom glove made. I am trying to decide what pattern/web/model to go with. I had a Rawlings PRO 12 2JB , I liked the overall size of it (length) but had some other areas I didn't like as much. I have a PRO 1000H that I like, but use it more at 3rd base because it has a deep pocket/web. I'm trying to design something I will use at SS/2b for softball. I want something with a little length for range and a little margin for error so I don't have to field every ball in the perfect spot like when I use an 11 1/4" out there. I want something that will be shallow and easy to get the ball out when turning double plays or when I field a ground ball and have to get the ball out as quick as possible. I figure you guys have had so many models that you should have plenty of input. I recently had a PRO NP5 infield glove and that felt too wide across the bottom of the palm area. I don't have small hands, but I don't have overly large hands either. I figure once I compile the input/ suggestions I'll end up putting in the order.Thanks guys, I appreciate any help and look forward to your replies.

[offsidewing]

You will love a PRO-1000HC at two bag for softball. I do the same thing. Pro-1000HC at third for Hardball and at second for fast/slow softball.

If you can't get a 11 or 12 inch ball out of the pocket of a PRO-1000 to start a 4-6-3, you probably have more problems that the glove.

[RedSoxFan81]

haha, that's funny. To be honest I guess there's some plays where I will not transfer and flip the ball directly from the glove, and I just like shallow gloves because the ball doesn't tend to want to stay put and not come out out when you are making a play like that. Someone where I live said they will not let you go into our batting cages with a glove, but I may try anyways because that's the only way my horween 1000HC is gonna get broken in quick enough. I guess every person kinda has their own feel when it comes to gloves that they like, so it's a hit and miss game till you find that glove.

[RedSoxFan81]

I know usually almost everyone on here sticks with the main brands, but I have honestly been kicking around an 11 3/4" TPX PRO Flare glove.here is a link to it below.

http://www.softballfans.com/shop/produc ... ductid=443


I always flare the fingers out on my rawlings glove in this manner anyways. Figure it may be worth a shot.Someone I spoke to a while back said they were really pleased with the craftsmanship of the TPX PRO Flare they had. Just a possible consideration.

[Mike_2007]

That TPX looks really nice and it appears to be very functional as well. Probably will break in real quick too...

[RedSoxFan81]

on a side note, how long should it take my PRO 1000H horween glove to break in? I don't have anyone to play catch with, so right now it basically gets used 3-4 times a week for my warmups and games. I'm starting to wonder if I will fall in the glove more so when it's 100% broken in. Maybe that could be part of it.

[offsidewing]

Advice on the 1000's, keep the finger's stiff. Just break-in the palm. Once that palm breaks in, and the fingers stay stiff and curved, oh it's beautiful. To break them in (and I LOVE deep pockets) start with a 12" softball for a few weeks, then move to an 11", then a baseball. This keeps the pocket nice and deep, and prevents the pinky from turning out as you break in the pocket.

I would imagine a pitching machine would toss chewed up balls into your lucious horween pocket. Always suppliment catch with tossing a ball in the pocket while watching a little TV in the evening.

[RedSoxFan81]

I have some newer HOH gloves that are fully broken in, I wonder if my PRO 1000H horween glove will ever get remotely close in softness/ as broken in as them. I've hammered on the palm a TON. I'm curious to see how much softer/broken it'll get or if it's always gonna have that noticeable firmness to it.

[docglov]

if its any good it will never get completely soft. If you had a chance to try on some players 10 year old HOH you be suprised at the firmness but also at the feeling when you catsh a ball. It just seems to me that the ball just sort of sticks without stiching ( doesn't make sense does it ha)
Doc

[RedSoxFan81]

Haha, I do know what you mean Doc, it's just kinda hard to explain in words though. My glove does do that, anything in the palm usually sticks pretty good even though it has the firmness to it. Maybe I will spend some more time working the hinge so that it takes less effort to close the glove. Or I may very well just need more catch sessions. I remember some of you guys saying that the true horween gloves take a good amount of time before they are 100% broken in.

[docglov]

Redsoxfan. have you ever considered unlaceing the heel and removeing the harder 1/2 of the pad up to your bottom thumb joint? I have seriously
done that to probably 100 Pro Prefered gloves along with getting a pair of needle nose plyers and pulling out that terribly thick piece piece of plastic from the big part of the pad ( don't forget to unlace the pad first ha) Then I either just throw it away or cut it down to nothing. It serves no purpose what so ever.

Doc

[RedSoxFan81]

That's an interesting tip doc. haha I won't lie, i'm kinda scared to unlace any part of a glove. I've never done it before so i'm kinda nervous I'll not be able to put it back right after I undo it. I've actually never opened up a glove to see the inside. So do you mean removing the stuff that's lower than 4 inches below the very end of the thumb finger stall? I can feel the plastic finger stall insert and even see part of it through the small opening that the lace goes through.It goes all the way down to the left side of the circular R patch on the exterior of the thumb stall.