Why do you love baseball gloves?

[wickedwoman11]

Hi, I was just wondering...why do you love baseball gloves? For me, I think it is the way that my buffalo Nokona's smooth leather forms just to my hand, and the comfort I take in knowing that I broke it in from a stiff rock into a supple object of affection. I recognize I take this far too far. I'm below average defensively, yet that glove is like a security blanket for me. Whenever I'm having a bad day, just to slide my hand into the butterscotch colored finger stalls is extremely relaxing. (Okay, I'm crazy). But for the rest of you, is it the smell of the leather? The memories of playing catch with someone you loved? Why do you love your glove?

[mudman]

They bring me back to a much simpler time in my life, when I was young and life was basically worry free. I also love quality made leather things; from saddles, to belts, holsters, boots, shoes, wallets...you name if it's leather I love it.

But I really feel that the biggest reason is my love of the game itself. I really love baseball, it's such a beautiful game.

[opticsp]

I love the smell, the craftsmanship and that fact that they are so personal. It also connects me to the game I love and played for many years since the gloves I own are the same I used to play high school and jr. college ball 20 years ago

[wjr953]

I have to agree with all of you. I love my Nokona glove, it was a surprise Christmas gift from my wife two years ago. I had always wanted one, but the price always scared me away. She went out and bought one for me, and I will always cherish that glove for so many reasons, and love her for having thought enough of me to buy it for me when I wouldn't do it for myself. The incredible feeling as that leather warms and molds to the shape of my hand is indescribable. The memories that come flooding back, of me playing catch in the front yard with my Dad and then with my brother, now both passed. The more recent memories of playing catch with my own two boys on a local baseball field on a beautiful warm summers day. Three way "speed" catch, trying to get to 100 throws and catches without a drop. The fun, the laughter of an incredibly special time where no words were needed, just a great big smile shared by the three of us knowing it was a time we'd never ever forget. Just like that look in Kevin Costner's eyes when he asked his Dad if he wanted to have a "catch". The magnificent smell of beautiful quality leather. The weight of it on your hand. The thrill of making a great catch, that even you didn't know you had made until you looked in your glove. Of course you told everybody else that you "had it all the way". The connection to the game of baseball that never seems to get old, no matter how many games you've seen or played in, or how old that you get. Remembering how green the grass is/was, and how it always looks so soft that you just want to lay down on it. The blazing bright sun, the soft breezes, the smells, the voices, the sounds. For all of these reasons and so many, many more, my glove connects me to this game that I love. The days of playing, coaching, umpiring, and just simply watching the game for the sheer enjoyment of seeing kids with smiling happy faces, patting each other on the back, and having a blast playing, just like I used to do so many years ago. My glove is the key that opens up memories of the past and the best days of my life, so far. And now of course my grandsons, and the days of the future yet to be enjoyed. Ahhh, baseball. God, I love this game! When I finally leave this world, my last wish is to be buried with my baseball glove, a brand new baseball and my baseball cap. There's got to be baseball in Heaven, there just has to be! Here's hoping that someone else remembers to bring their bat! lol

VBR, br