Trap-eze webs

[softballUK]

Was just wondering what peoples views are on the trapeze web.

I'm looking at getting a new glove, and as I'm in the UK I don't have just luxury of trying gloves.

I really like the Gold Glove 601 (and am a sucker for the camel color seen on Eastbay) but I keep hearing bad things about the laces not lasting so long on a trap web.

I also like modified traps, but they're harder to find in 12.75 (the size I want) and can't find it anywhere in camel at a decent price anyway.

[opticsp]

I was lucky enough to find a new Pro T from 1993 at a store in Brooklyn. I have been breaking it is and find that it is tougher to break-in than a two piece glove. That sixth finger is hard to get into the pocket. However, my difficulty could be because of the toughness of the old Horween leather.

This is the only negative I can say about this web. Still, the pocket is breaking in nicely, very deep. Balls are starting to get lost in it. It is beautiful, by far the most appealing glove I have ever owned. As far as its performance, I would rate it as top notch, especially for the size glove you are looking for. I have never heard of the laces in the web breaking, but if they do it is easy to have the glove re-laced with new, tough laces. I would highly recommend the Trap Eze webs.

[Cusser]

Trapeze webs - "I really love 'em", to quote my daughter. See http://www.vintagebaseballgloveforum.co ... php?t=1551

Ever since getting a TG-12 in 1960, that's what I've used most of my life. I did use a PRO-3 for a while starting in early 1980s because Trapeze webs were not available about then unless your name was Ozzie Smith, and by the time Rawlings re-issued them, the PRO-3 was broken in nad I couldn't afford a new Trapeze then. I just got the TG-12 repaired, and broke in a tan PRO24TB a few years ago, and currently am breaking in a tan PRO12TC. Yes, HOH gloves take longer to break in, but wonderful. My daughter (17) has also used Trapeze for 10 years, now on PRO-T from Ebay three years ago. I think they're great.

[Musashi]

Asthetically speaking, I think that traps are the most gorgeous webs ever made. I'd say that a good 80% of my collection is made up of all variations of the trap. However, with the exception of the PRO-TB I used in college, I almost always prefer Pro-I webs in my gamers...go figure.

On a related note, though, I recently picked up Worth Ranger 11.5" modified trap off of ebay - to me, it looks like an exact replica of a PRO200-4J. I wasn't expecting much, especially since I only paid $27, but I must admit that I'm really impressed with the quality. The leather is suprisingly Horween-ish - very thick, really stiff, but feels a little more "waxy" (if that makes sense). It's taken just as long to break in this glove than any of my HOHs.

[MVALZ]

On a related note, though, I recently picked up Worth Ranger 11.5" modified trap off of ebay - to me, it looks like an exact replica of a PRO200-4J. I wasn't expecting much, especially since I only paid $27, but I must admit that I'm really impressed with the quality. The leather is suprisingly Horween-ish - very thick, really stiff, but feels a little more "waxy" (if that makes sense). It's taken just as long to break in this glove than any of my HOHs.[/quote]

Not surprising since the Worths are made by Rawlings

[Musashi]

That makes sense - looks like they're both exactly the same pattern! Honestly, though, I truly expected the leather to painted cardboard. I did buy it 'cause it was a modified trap (and cheap) - so I guess the design didn't surprise me as much as the leather did. And the extra-long laces were a nice surprise too!

[MVALZ]

I just snagged the 12" Worth with the 2 pice web... 9JB style. Pleasantly surprised (despite the color).

[bs]

Some might argue that Rawlings gloves are now made by Worth.

[Musashi]

To the OP (SoftballUK) - I've been noticing a lot of traps on ebay (and quite a few in 12.75") lately - I'm sure you could pick one up pretty reasonably.

[dwags4him]

The Lace issue depends a lot on often you use the glove, and how you take care of it.

For example, my buddies Gold Glove (Not HOH) from about 1996 just needed a relace of the web....one piece snapped....that means he played about 150 games of sandlot ball and about 300 games of catch.

So, when people scare you about needing to relace it every other week, it is just not so.

Plus, when you relace it, you can change it to some gaudy colors!

My favorite gloves are Traps and Modified traps.

[Musashi]

I think one of the most unique things about the trap webs is that it the laces naturally, and quickly, mold the pocket. And, to a certain extent, you can adjust the depth by either tightening the laces, or letting out the slack.

I've never experienced the laces breaking on any of the traps that I've owned. But, I always relaced my HOH traps so that the laces intertwined. It takes a little time to do, but it might actually strengthen the web - but I might be wrong. Come to think of it, I think I remember somebody (probably Doc) mentioning that intertwining the laces is purely cosmetic.

[Cusser]

My original TG-12 (1960) has single lacing connecting the finger tops, not like the stronger, more-modern criss-cross lacing. In the 1970s I was playing third base, mens softball, and a line drive (which I thought I was going to catch) broke that single lacing, and the ball hit me directly in the forehead. After that, I added a second lacing, at least until Kenny fixed the whole thing up for me. By the way, the shortstop caught that ball directly off my forehead, so the batter was out; I think I got an assist !

[wjr953]

softballUK,
I just recently bought a new GG601 in black. It's my first ever Trap-Eze and I absolutely love it. I have since bought a gently used Rawlings HOH Trap-Eze (in beautiful oxblood color), a lightly used Nokona Trap-Eze, a gently used Nokona Modified Trap-Eze, a brand new Wilson Modified Trap-Eze (black), and a brand new Rawlings Sandlot Series Trap-Eze. I still have my all-time favorite which gets plenty of use, my Nokona AMG650CW, but I find myself going back to the GG601 and the HOH Trap more and more. Never knew that I could enjoy a glove that much, but these two are really nice. I don't know how they'll hold up in the long run, time will tell. If they're taken care of, I don't see how they wouldn't last just as long as any other quality glove. I don't believe the GG601 will have as long a life as the HOH, the quality of the leather is distinctly different between the two gloves. That's my 2 cents, hope that it helps.

VBR, br