a little arguement I had about custom gloves...

[rmiller]

I was talking gloves with some folks last evening, and they were pretty much disgusted at how much people pay for gloves. I showed them some websites, as well as things on this forum, demonstrating just how much money a really good glove can cost.

The opinion of my friends was that it makes no difference on the diamond if a player has a $70 glove from a sporting goods store, or has a $500 glove made for them- that the $70 will get to the ball, and make the play, just as well as the $500 glove would.

They know I grew up playing ball, then played softball after my baseball playing days were over- so they asked me if I ever had an expensive glove made. I never have. My gloves were always middle quality from the store. And I admitted that I think I made plays with my glove(s) that I would have made with an expensive custom made glove, and made errors that I would have made with a custom made. They reminded me that a carpenter doesn’t blame the tool!

Well, I tried to explain the different types of leather are better, will last longer, etc, and worth paying for. I’m certainly no expert, which is why I’m posting for your thoughts on this. You guys know a lot more about this than I do.

My friend informed me that he still has his store bought glove from when he was growing up, and it’s perfect, as he has taken care of it. (Rawlings RBG 36), and he knows others who have done the same, with store bought Rawlings, Wilson, Mizuno, Louisville Slugger, etc, saying that they are good old gloves, and if taken care of will last forever.

He also informed me that custom gloves are for people who have too much money, and think an expensive glove will make them play better. Now, I’m no psychologist, but I personally think there is something too that, which he disagreed.

As I said, I have never had a custom expensive glove in my life, so I ask you that have…when it comes right down to it, does it REALLY make a difference on the field? Can you make a play with a $500 glove that you would not be able to make with a store bought $70 glove?

[wjr953]

Believe me when I tell you, I'm no authority on anything, but I do know this: Professionals, regardless of their trade, always opt for the best tools because it usually gives them the best results. I believe that this also applies to sports. If the players in MLB could use a $7.99 J. C. Penny glove and get the same results as a $500 custom glove, you would think that they would opt for the inexpensive glove. Of course we all know that players in MLB do not usually pay for their own gloves and maybe that has some bearing on this discussion too. Somewhere on this forum, someone posted a link to a very interesting article about a Japanese craftsman who happens to be retiring from making custom gloves. He is the guy that made all of Ichiro Suzuki's gloves throughout his career, up to the present day. If you get a chance, read that article. I did and I firmly believe that the quality of the tool does make a real difference to the professional. Will custom gloves make the average person play better? I honestly couldn't answer that question. I would like to believe that it would give us an advantage, but then again, who knows?

br

[rmiller]

Yeah- I agree, and should have clarified at the beginning. In my discussion with this guy, we excluded professional players who make their living playing baseball.

He said that's a different story. Our "discussion" was more about average Joes playing ball, from youth leagues to softball players- pretty much everyone who does not play ball for a living.

[awarsoca]

let me analogize:
Golf
Off the rack versus custom fitted.
Its a HUGE difference when you get clubs that fit your swing style, speed, etc and fit your height and reach versus buying a store bought set. Yes you can still get the little ball down the fairway but it may not be as long or as straight. The custom bought clubs become an extension of your body

The same can be said of the glove. The article on Ichiro and Tsubota-san mentions how the glove becomes part of Ichiro. To a certain extent when you custom buy a glove it is the same.

I don't own a custom glove, although I would love to. I want one more for the fact that I can have one made like that glove I had growing up that got lost, stolen, (insert other reason)

[Cowboy7130]

Think of a custom cabinet maker using a sledgehammer to drive in finish nails ... the wrong tool for the job can be a disaster.

I think a good custom glove is worth the money if:

1. You have the money in the first place (no sense taking food off the table, in my opinion).
2. you play a lot of ball and you will get your money's worth over the long run.
3. the fit and feel of the custom glove surpasses a mass-produced model.

I for one can definitely see the need for a custom glove according to my #3 reason. I have really big hands and most gloves are uncomfortable for me to wear for any extended period of time. However, a friend of mine makes custom gloves to measure and has assured me he could fit my hand like a custom pair of boots.

Which reminds me of another illustration of my point. Lots of working cowboys here in Texas get their boots custom made, not because of vanity or an excess of money, but because they fit better, feel better and last longer. Thus, they make their work easier and more enjoyable.

Couldn't the same be said for a glove?

[dapert]

I say stay here and discuss gloves with people who appreciate but more importantly understand the passion.

I'd be curious to see what kind of cars these people drive. Or what kind of tv's they have. I would bet they don't drive Pinto's or have 13 inch B&W tv's with rabbit ears.

[Goldy the Gopher]

I for one ordered a custom glove because:

There was no stock model in an 11"
There was no stock model with a solid one piece web
There was no stock model with solid black leather and laces

the $70 gloves that I have owned either crack because the leather isn't the highest quality, get flimsy because the leather isn't the highest quality.

Having a glove with the exact specs that I chose gives me more confidence on the field. Why settle for a glove designed by someone else when you could get one that is built specifically for you.


Also unless you're using that japanese mizuno program, you aren't paying $500 for a glove.

Finally look at the amount of money hockey players spend on sticks (yes around $200, which come with a 30 day warranty because they know they'll break, or $500 skates which they're probably only going to use for at most 2 seasons.

[rmiller]

I hope you guys understand I am with you. I plan to have my own custom glove at some point, and I use this forum as part of my research for that eventual glove. I was just presenting the discussion I had to get your takes on it.

Just wanted make that perfectly clear.

[wjr953]

dapert,
If they're not driving a Pinto, then definitely an AMC Gremlin (one of the ugliest cars ever made, followed close behind by the AMC Matador), or maybe even a Yugo, that would be my guess. These are the same people that think Ron Popeil is an American genius. (The guy that invented spray paint for people that are balding!) Wait a minute, is one of the guys you're talking to Mike Greenberg? (from ESPN's Mike & Mike in the morning) That would sure explain a lot.

[Thudhugger]

I have a friend that is an avid softball player. He is on multiple city league teams and when not playing is coaching. His take when I asked, is that he uses high end gloves because if he were to buy mid range off the shelf glove, by the end of one or two seasons he would need to be looking to replace it. So for him the cost is a push: buy one glove for $250.00 that will last for 5+ years or buy 5 $50.00 gloves over the next five years and have to break each one in before the beginning of the season. For him it just makes sense to get the high end glove, break it in and play ball.


Thud

[JC]

This is a great topic. I am sure there will be plenty more responses on this one.

I have about 80 gloves on hand right now. Many are "shelf queens" but I also have about 15 "gamers" that are used by me or my son.

I agree that a top-of-the line glove will last longer, and, in my opinion, perform better. That being said, I think that you will play your best with a glove that you are comfortable with, be it a custom made model, a stock high-end model, or a cheapie.

I currently use a Glovesmith Elite glove for infield. I like a stiff glove, with plastic inserts in the thumb and pinkie, and the Glovesmith fits the bill for me. I am not comfortable with a soft, or "floppy" glove.


I always like to buy top of the line equipment.

My son and I both play hockey, so I can appreciate Goldy's comments about sticks. My son plays High School hockey, and I spend $600 to $800 a year on sticks. He tried a new model (RBK O-stick) recently, and he is just not comfortable with it, so that is another $240 out the window!


I play goalie. I could write 5 paragraphs on the benefits (real or perceived) of having custom made goalie equipment. I currently use a set of custom made pads and gloves, and it is really nice to have gear that is exactly what you want. I have a custom made goalie mask that is made by a local guy who makes masks for NHL goalies. There are plenty of "off the shelf" goaliemasks that sell for $300 to $500, but I chose to have one custom made from a mold of my head for $1500. I guess I would compare it to buying a sportcoat at a local discount store vs. having one custom made by a tailor. The off-the shelf unit will fit pretty good, but there is no substitute for something that is custom made to your preferences.


I would argue that the people who believe that you should buy cheap gloves have never played with a top-of-the-line glove. They do not know what they are missing!

[Hrking4675]

I like to think of it like you would cars. I could drive a Prius or a BMW M6. Both are going to get me where I need. However the BMW is going to have more options and better features. With a store glove vs a custom, theyre both going to catch the ball, not doubt. With a custom though, you will get something that will fit your hand better and have the options that you want to fit your style of play. You can get a store glove thats an 11 1/2, but the pocket is too deep to play mid inf. If you order a custom, you get a shallow pocket. In this case, play is affected. Also, the shape of a custom glove for $300+ will keep much better and last longer. Eventually store gloves will lose their shape and become floppy. (For the purpose of this I keep thinking of a Rawlings GG series glove). Maybe you would be able to make the same plays as far as getting to the ball, but what you can do with it from there in many cases can do with the glove. I can field the same ball in the hole with my 12 3/4 inch of glove as I can with my 11 1/2 inch glove, but there's no way im throwing him out with the of one. You are just going to get a more durable hand picked glove if you go custom. It's really about preference I think. Some people can just go out with any store bough glove and be fine, but those of us who are picky just cant go out there and feel comfortable in their equipment.

[Cowboy7130]

*nodding nodding nodding NODDING*

One of my biggest disappointments when I coached at a little country high school was the number of kids who showed up with their big sisters' hand-me-down softball gloves at baseball tryouts, gloves that could be folded in four directions and stowed in jeans pockets, and then they tell me they want to play second base ... When they got to the ball and gloved it it took them 15 minutes to find it in that big pocket!

[spedrunr]

does it REALLY make a difference on the field? Can you make a play with a $500 glove that you would not be able to make with a store bought $70 glove?

$64k question i suppose

if my job depended on my making a catch and million$ a year. i'd go with custom. since i'm only a hack, i probably would benefit from the custom (which i probably will never buy) b/c i'd much rather have a semi-broken in pro issue "code 5" horween

in our "because we can" economy, we can pretty justify anything nowadays. the hardest part is convincing the warden (wife)

on that note, here's a + for the custom argument: i believe that was a rawlings


http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/med ... 3&c_id=ari

[splinters]

some people like the toyota, some like the lexus...basically the same car but you are paying for the status, name and a few more bells and whistles.......I love the Rawlings Primos, however I don't use them to play with and there is a reason why I do not and no pro players use them....the weigh a ton...But they are beautiful!

Ask Roger Clemens.......He used a piece of crap glove made of mesh etc...but he got a sweet endorsement contract to wear the gloves...I don't think it affected his pitching/fielding.