Vintage Baseball Glove Forum

I bought a new Rawlings Pro12TC HOH less than a year ago (about 11 months ago). Between the index and middle finger, it looks like the leather is starting to split.

I have done nothing out of the ordinary to break in the glove - just played catch with it and lightly oil it with Lexol once in a while. I haven't even used it in a game yet.

It's just getting to the point where it's close to being broken in. I was really looking forward to playing in a game with it. Now I'm wondering if it's worth it to send it back to Rawlings for a repair/replacement or if I should keep the glove? Anyone have any advice?

Here's a picture:

Bummer, man.

I have almost an identical issue going on with my Wilson A2000 XXL U.S.A. that is my softball gamer. Unlike your glove, I have used the living daylights out of mine and even have been breaking in several back ups along the way.

I will be following this thread to learn about your options. Best of luck to you, that Rawlings glove is nice and worth saving.

several ways to handle this. you can send it back for re stitching or we can discuss other ways to fix but what ever I will be glad to help you...

pm me for phone number if you wish to call me. also the picture didn't work

Bob

My Son has the same thing going on with his Pro-DJ2 HOH glove that I bought for him last year but still plays with it. He has started breaking in his new HOH 11 1/2 Pro-H model as a backup. This is a common problem I have seen with many gloves.

not making excusces but that small "V" at the bottom of the fingers is a hard turn to make sewing and if it hangs at all you get your stitches to close together in effect cutting your glove, very hard to catch. I let no one do that job that hasn't been a top stitcher for at least 5 years but they still get by.
Bob

DT,

I noticed you are a rookie glove poster. As such, you may not be aware that "PM" means "Private Message".

DocGlove is interested in helping you with your issues on the PRO12TC HOH.
He is the person that can be of assistance and if you haven't already, contact him about a repair before that "notch" becomes a tear.

On another note, I will be sending my Wilson A2 XXL USA to Earl Malone for it's 25 year overhaul. This includes a new liner, lacing, binding and Wilson "Bullseye" patch. He will take care of my small "notch" before it becomes a tear, as well.

Thanks GloveGypsy, I've PM'd docgluv and we're going to come up with a solution tomorrow. He is the gentleman and scholar that I've always heard that he was.

I'll let you guys know how it turns out. I love this glove and am hoping to have it back in time for me to play ball with Ozzie Smith in July with it.

Is that "notch"ing really a defect? I've recently picked up about 18 new gloves & about 1/2 of them have that tight stitched, start of a tear. Since it was so prevalent, I thought that that was just how they are.

That "defect" is most prevalent on my most expensive custom gloves...ie. the ones I ordered from Rawlings.com/Rawlingsgear, another from Eastbay St.Louis USA HOH, & another "run of the mill" custom from DonMorton. Each one of these gloves are just awesome in every other respect, except for the notching & can't bring myself to send them back.

I'd really appreciate it if someone can let me know what Docglov recommends as a do-it-urself fix for such notching.....I don't think I want to mess with installing mid-finger support lace or tightening the fingers together as suggested in one of these posts, as it affects playability.

Any help highly appreciated.

I've got two HOH's with the same situation and I just thought thats the way it was too. My A2000 has a rip there but its about 33 years old.

good eyes guys. You could find that slight tear on 80% of the gloves made. I always oil a circle about the size of a quarter at each finger crotch and around the inside web lace holes and keep it oiled even if the rest of the glove needs it or not. That tear will probably never grow.. and when you see a glove that has ripped really bad it will always be very dry and show never being oiled.

Thanks Bob for the info on the glove and what to do to keep this from getting worse. I'm happy I won't have to return it as I love this glove. Thanks for the Ozzie story, if you have anymore I'm sure the rest of the members would love to hear them.

We are lucky to have you on this message board.

Best,
DT

all the hoh I've had always tend to have that slight tear in that area after being used. If I was you I would just oil it in that area just a little.
A glove is supposed to break down when used. Nothing last forever.

As always Doc thanks for the info. sure makes me feel better to hear that its not that big a deal with proper care. otherwise I would drive myself up a wall stressing out over it.

I followed docglov's suggestion. In lieu of oil I used a dab of lanolin right at the crotch of my Pro T where I thought I was seeing a small tear. I am using Lansinoh brand lanolin used for breastfeeding mothers. A small dab and the mark virtually disappeared.

Sorry for posting this conditioning issue here but docglov started it!