So excited! Nokona AMG1275BF-MT!

[r205maple]

Nakona's seem like great gloves & ironically, unlike all the u.s. makers, this canadian company is probably the only major brand still making gloves in the u.s.a.

ANYWAY, has anyone else wondered why no Pros use Nakona? If they are so great, you'd think at least a few players would use them, sponsorhips be damned? Just makes me think there is something keeping pros from using them; the assumption being that the pros use the best in pursuit of their craft.

[bs]

Canadian Company? Explain

[NokonaFan]

Nakona's seem like great gloves & ironically, unlike all the u.s. makers, this canadian company is probably the only major brand still making gloves in the u.s.a.

ANYWAY, has anyone else wondered why no Pros use Nakona? If they are so great, you'd think at least a few players would use them, sponsorhips be damned? Just makes me think there is something keeping pros from using them; the assumption being that the pros use the best in pursuit of their craft.

Nokona gloves are made in Texas by a US company

As for their gloves and the pros: I was watching a Yankee game earlier this month and an opposing reliever came in with a black Nacona glove.
And before the fire I recall they had an endorsement deal with one major player (Helton perhaps?)

They're pro quality, no doubt (but I seriously doubt one of these buffalo gloves could stand up to pro-level play for long if at all -- a line drive to third would probably destroy it). A walnut or cowhide palm/combo? No problem.

But if Rawlings etc. came up to me and offered me free gloves and whatnot I'd be more than happy to endorse and use Rawlings. It's not like a Nokona is going to make you a better player. It's not the wand, it's the witch!

[vintagebrett]

I believe Todd Walker had an endorsement deal with Nokona and remember seeing him use one during games.

[NokonaFan]

I believe Todd Walker had an endorsement deal with Nokona and remember seeing him use one during games.

Right! Walker.

And I may have to eat my words:

Todd Walker of the Chicago Cubs is just one of many satisfied Nokona glove users. He knows as well as anyone the importance of having a reliable, durable and expertly crafted glove on his hand. When Todd is flashing the leather, he's flashing the Buffalo, so you shouldn't settle for anything less.

[bs]

Todd Walker is retired.

Ryan Franklin w/ the Cardinals uses a black Nokona.

[Cowboy7130]

It seems I read something in Nocona's web site or another glove website about Noconas and their lack of endorsement deals. Basically, from what I can remember, the cost of "pursuing" a major leaguer did not appeal to certain former owners/management. Now, new owner/management has opted to seek endorsements from major leaguers, especially with their bats. Remember the Vlad Guerrero home run derby last year?

Joe probably knows more about Nokona than I do ... maybe he could put in his two cents' worth!

[Hrking4675]

Might be just me, but for infield positions, their patterns are terrible compared to Rawlings, and even Wilson. Dont get me wrong I love Nokona's and their very different style from the mainstream. However, the padding, shape, and structure of their infield gloves are not what I want to go to battle with.

[Bubdoggy]

This year they came out with the Sandstone leather series that is supposedly a stiffer leather and geared towards the upper level players. I haven't seen one around here but that's what the catalog says. Sounded to me like the attempt to present a glove more comparable to the Rawlings or Wilson leathers.

[NokonaFan]

Might be just me, but for infield positions, their patterns are terrible compared to Rawlings, and even Wilson. Dont get me wrong I love Nokona's and their very different style from the mainstream. However, the padding, shape, and structure of their infield gloves are not what I want to go to battle with.

There's a significant difference between their 'American Legend' or Classic series and the 'American Pro' line. For example, an AMG300 has a wider heel than the AMG1150. They break differently and the pocket is more shallow.

BTW, did anybody notice the new 'Pro' line?...just saw them today.

[Cowboy7130]

There are two Sandstone Leather infielder's gloves at the local sporting goods store, and yes, indeed, they are very stiff! VERY stiff! I believe they would take a lot of breaking in, and so far I have not heard of anyone locally who has one.

[candlestick]

For anyone who wants to try one out and report back.......... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0250102043

But I am curious about two things brought up in this thread.

1. What are the differences between Nokona's American Legend/Classic series and the American Pro line? Anyone can go to nokona.com and read the bios of the various gloves but really what are the differences?

2. Specifically how are Nokona patterns different from Rawlings and Wilson? Hrking4675 mentioned that they were a very different style from the mainstream, i.e. Rawlings/Wilson but how so?

As always thanks for your thoughts/info

[NokonaFan]

For anyone who wants to try one out and report back.......... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0250102043

But I am curious about two things brought up in this thread.

1. What are the differences between Nokona's American Legend/Classic series and the American Pro line? Anyone can go to nokona.com and read the bios of the various gloves but really what are the differences?

2. Specifically how are Nokona patterns different from Rawlings and Wilson? Hrking4675 mentioned that they were a very different style from the mainstream, i.e. Rawlings/Wilson but how so?

As always thanks for your thoughts/info

I used to think of the AMG legend/classics as primarily softball gloves and the American Pro as baseball...but its not very accurate to lump all the legend/classics like that even though that's where their softball gloves are. Primarily, the legend/classic has a wider heel and shallower pocket so it breaks in differently....reaching in for a ball on an AMGXXX infielder glove is different than the am pro...which has a deeper pocket. I got this info first hand from Nokona once:

"The biggest difference is the classic series is a more straight up and down
glove and the American Pro Series has a more cupped look to it."

Not the greatest explanation but it gives some indication.

[Thirdbaseb4life]

wow really nice glove!!!