Thoughts on the Rawlings Flex-o-matic palm

[502 to Right]

As some of you know, Don Morton Sports (ballgloves.com) has introduced a Rawlings HOH reissue of the XPG3 with the Flex-o-matic palm. I've never had a Flex-o-matic and was wondering what the thoughts are on how well that feature works. It seems to me the Flex-o-matic would prevent getting a good crease at the heel--which is why most gloves have no padding at the crease. Am I wrong or is it actually a very functional design?

Thanks for your thoughts.

[toad]

As some of you know, Don Morton Sports (ballgloves.com) has introduced a Rawlings HOH reissue of the XPG3 with the Flex-o-matic palm. I've never had a Flex-o-matic and was wondering what the thoughts are on how well that feature works. It seems to me the Flex-o-matic would prevent getting a good crease at the heel--which is why most gloves have no padding at the crease. Am I wrong or is it actually a very functional design?

Thanks for your thoughts.

I prefer the old Flex-o-matic. To me the crease in a regular style can be too creased and annoying, I have few Flex-o-matics.
I checked out ballgloves.com and the XPG3,not usa made and their for not for me. It looks like a nice knockoff to the real thing. But that's just me.
Toad

[MVALZ]

I've always found the F-O-M Palm too bulky and hard to close, but I did buy one (XPG3) from Ballgloves.com and was pleasantly surprised how good the new ones felt. Less bulky padding which I think will break in nicely. I should also mention these new limited Rawlings are a great quality leather. They're being sold as Horween. My fave of the three is the PRO-6XBC which is my game model so I happy for the release of this old pattern!

[502 to Right]

As some of you know, Don Morton I prefer the old Flex-o-matic. To me the crease in a regular style can be too creased and annoying, I have few Flex-o-matics.
I checked out ballgloves.com and the XPG3,not usa made and their for not for me. It looks like a nice knockoff to the real thing. But that's just me.
Toad

I know a lot of people love the "Made in USA" models but I actually prefer the foreign made HOH gloves that are made from the lighter tan leather (not oil treated). I have a PRO12TC, PRO1000HC, and PRO1MC from ballgloves.com and they are made from prime, stiff leather.

The retro series that Rawlings put out about 5 years ago I did not really care for. They had the PRO12TC and PRO1000H. Those said "Assembled in the USA" on the thumb.

Thanks for the heads up MVALZ -- I think I'll be picking up an XPG3 and PRO-6XBC. I simply cannot resist HOH gloves in honey tan with the gray welting!!!

[spedrunr]

of the 30 or so FOM palm (thx mvalz) gloves that i've owned i can only say that 1 xpg3 is broken in "correctly".

it seems that the design lends to a weird break in the heel (about the 5 or 6 o'clock position) and when you try and close the glove around a ball, the wrist strap or fastback tends to tighten up around your wrist and creates resistance upon closing.

as much as i hate to say it, this also applies to the coveted XPGP/TGP (gulp, don't shoot the messenger) models too. but they are really cool looking gloves in design and aesthetics

when i use an edge-U-cated heel glove like an xpg6, tg12, pro12tc etc it seems to close more "naturally" and with less resistance.

is it my imagination(?)

[Mike_2007]

502 to right ( Johnathan?)

My understanding is that with the Flex-o-matic palm, you break in the glove so the thumb and pinky fingers touch when you close the glove. It was later agreed that this was not really the natual way your hand closes so most later gloves has the break point located at the end of the heel ( the edge?). This way your 4 fingers come down to close and your thumb doesn't really move.

Now with outfield gloves, I see many that are broken in with the thumb/pinky touching even though the heel has the break point on the end. It looks like there is little padding in the heel so you can force a crease down the middle. I have a USA HOH 3MTF ( mod trap, fastback, 12 1/4"?) that has a flex o matic palm and was originally planning on making it into an oufield glove. Glove is hard as cardboard and never used so for now I have it on the shelf... But my point is I'm not really sure the best way to break in outfield gloves...

Also, some infielders never really close their gloves much when fielding (like second basemen). For those type of fielders, a flex o matic palm would work since you could have a very round pocket... But XPG3 gloves are 12" and 2nd base gloves are 10.5" to 11.25"... Is anyone following this logic? Probably because you need to occasionally backhand the ball, I think infiled gloves need the breakpoint on the end on the heel. This must mean that flex o matic palms, such as an XPG3 could be used as outfield gloves. But I have a Brooks Robinson XPG3 and he was known as the vacuum playing 3rd base Also you have HPG3 - a classic 3rd base glove... So I'm still trying to figure things out.

[toad]

Mike, All the gloves you mention are among my favs can you send some Pics?
Thanks,
Toad

[JC]

I just got one of the new XPG 3 gloves today.

It is a very high quality, well built glove.

It is a 12" glove, but looks bigger to me.

Although not made in the USA, this is a neat glove.

I have not decided if I will play with this glove, or just keep it for my collection.

[Mike_2007]

Toad,

I'll post pics next week... Getting ready for a baseball tournament this weekend ( gotta love California baseball)

[docglov]

I used the glove many years at third base I also made it for many Pro's but the Flex design was to aid middle infielders by keeping the glove open on ground balls for 2 handed fielding. ( lost art for the most part any more) but there is deep enough groves in the padding to let you break it in to close anywhere.

[Mike_2007]

pics for toad:









Not sure what position the 3MTF was designed for (3rd base?)...