Baseball gloves are a baseball player’s ultimate defensive weapon and once the player and glove have come together… don’t come between them. An affable guy turns into a junk dog and you are between him and his food bowl.
This may be a bit of an exaggeration, but I remember my first baseball glove and I bet most Major League players remember their first.
In my time there were only a few glove manufacturers. Spaulding, the first glove manufacturer, Rawlings and Wilson. Knowing it was ancient times, I thought I’d do a review of the current manufacturers and pass on any ideas or information I got.
I was surprised to see how many baseball manufacturers there are today. I knew there would be more, but… Unfortunately, I can’t go through every glove as much as I’d like.
I could especially draw attention to Katz Gloves, which I found fascinating in concept. This firm does not make gloves, but rather specializes in reconditioning baseball gloves.
Akadema – $40 – $100 – Hamilton, NJ – Asia
Easton – $30 – $200 – Van Nuys, CA – Asia
Wilson – $15 – $200 – Chicago, IL – Asia
Louieville Slugger/TPX – $40 – $150 – Louieville, KY – Asia
Rawlings – $40 – $400 – St. Louis – United States
Nike – $60 – $100 – Beaverton, Oregon – Asia
Mizuno – $20 – $250 – Japan – Asia
Nocona $125+ – Nocona, TX – USA
Glove – $20 – $230 – St. Louis, MO – USA
SSK – $50 – $100 – California – Asia
DeMarni – $40 – $50 – Hillsboro, Oregon – Asia
Yennaco Custom Gloves – $100 – $500 – NH – Mexico
Kazuma – $50 -$200 – California – Asia
Kelley – $50 – $500 – Fort Worth Texas – Asia
Hobby Custom Creations – $150 – $550 – Bronx NY USA
Salinas Gloves – $50 – $200 – Corpus Christi – USA
Barraza Pro – $150 – $300 – Buena Park, – Mexico
Warrior Gloves – $125+ – Lansing MI. – Mexico City
Value – $50 – $175 – Tullahoma, TN – USA
NV Custom Gloves – $160 + – California – Mexico
Brady Custom Gloves – $200+ – Park City, UT – USA
Vinci Pro – $75 – $300 – Richmond, VA – USA
Katz Gloves – Meriden, CT Reconditioning Specialists USA
Catchers Mitts LLP – $150+ – White Bear Lake – USA
SAF Gloves $100 – $130 – West Covina, CA Mexico
As you can see, the list is quite extensive, but if you’re not in a hurry, researching the various baseball glove companies can be quite interesting.