RAWLINGS FJ15

[mas]

I picked up a Rawlings FJ15 Boog Powell first base mitt at a thrift store for a few dollars. The leather is in really good shape. A few laces need replacement, and the Rawlings tag on the wrist is pretty tattered, but overall not to bad in my opinion.

Can anyone tell me about the FJ15? I guess I don't know if this is a 1960's or 1970's glove so I don't know if it fits into the vintage glove category or the modern glove category. If anyone has any info I'd appreciate it.

Thanks.

[vintagebrett]

The model number seems to suggest it is an import model and not made in the USA. Powell gloves are pretty common - probably not much value to it.

[mas]

The Rawlings tag does say Japan.

I paid $3 for the mitt. I was considering relacing it for my 9 year old to use when he plays first base since I feels a little smaller than the adult size first base mitts today. The leather feels much better than most low end mitts made today, so I thought I would be a decent mitt for him to use.

Would I be safe to assume I am not giving him a mitt with high collectible value, or that I would be destroying the value of something if I relace it with black, blue or red lace?

Thanks.

[mas]

The Rawlings tag does say Japan.

I paid $3 for the mitt. I was considering relacing it for my 9 year old to use when he plays first base since I feels a little smaller than the adult size first base mitts today. The leather feels much better than most low end mitts made today, so I thought I would be a decent mitt for him to use.

Would I be safe to assume I am not giving him a mitt with high collectible value, or that I would be destroying the value of something if I relace it with black, blue or red lace?

Thanks.

[vintagebrett]

Relacing and letting your son play with it is probably the best thing to do - definitely not ruining the value.

[BretMan]

The FJ15 Powell model pops up in the 1970 and 1971 Rawlings catalogs, one of a variety of gloves he endorsed for them in the 60's and 70's.

Being an imported glove, a smaller-sized glove (probably designed for a youth player) and in average used condition, you're looking at only about $25 tops on the collectible market- and maybe only then if you can find some guy that's a huge Orioles or Boog Powell fan!

My vote would be relace it and let him use it. You'll both be getting more satisfaction and enjoyment out of the glove than could ever be realized on the collectible market. And, you'll likely have a better glove than anything you could buy today for twice the price!

[mas]

Thanks for the info.

I re-laced it last night with black lace. I very much agree that picking up older gloves and re-lacing the glove is the way to go for kids rather than picking up the junk sold today.

I bought a low end/youth Wilson A500 first base mitt for my son this past spring. I didn't think my son was ready for my HOH or A2800 first base mitts, I ordered it for him online. My son liked having his own first base mitt, but that's about the only good thing I can say about that new A500 mitt. I knew it was a low end mitt, but I think there is more vinyl and synthetic material on that mitt than actual leather. Thankfully I bought it cheap.

After we played catch today with the FJ15, my son told me he liked it better than the A500 and I could try to sell his A500.

Even with the laces I put into the FJ15, I have far less than half the money in that mitt as I have into the piece of crap A500.