How Baseball Gloves Are Made

How BASEBALL GLOVES are Made 1. A hydraulic press is used to punch out holes in the felt padding that will cushion the fingers and thumb. These holes are needed to lace the glove and are also cut out in the leather palm section of the glove. 6. The finished outer shell is then mounted onto AT ONE POINT baseball gloves were poorly formed, hard leather mitts but have evolved significantly since that time into the sophisticated gloves we depend on today. heated finger form (248 degrees Fahrenheit) and sprayed with leather softener to allow the shell to be manipulated without damaging the leather. The process of crafting a baseball glove requires both the use of machines and work completed by hand. The following steps outline the basic process involved in the creation of a baseball glove: 2. The hydraulic press is then used to cut out the web 7. Once the outer shell has been softened it is mounted onto a stationary turning stick so that it can be turned inside out one finger at a time to preserve stitching and leather. The interior lining is then slipped onto a mounting support and covered or pocket of the glove, prepares it for lacing and the palm section of the glove is heat embossed with a company logo. The embossing helps identify different leather and glove styles. with the outer shell. 3. The front and back pieces of the pocket are then hand-woven together with a special basket-weave web design to give the glove additional flexibility and control. This feature was first introduced during the 8. At this point a paste is applied to the glove to make the palm more flexible and a felt pad is inserted into the thumb. Another cushioning pad is also placed into the pinkie finger with a metal rod. 1930s. The pocket is then stitched together and glue is used to secure the tail ends and close the flap before stitching the web shut. 4. The palm-lining and finger lining are then sewn together, which completes the interior part of the glove that touches the player's hand. Once this is done the felt finger pads are sewn to the lining to enhance the comfort and control of the glove. 9. The glove is now laced with a long strip of leather, which is a labor intensive skill that must be completed by hand and can take up to an hour. The lacing needs to have the right amount of tension and the attractive leather side should be facing upward and tied with special loops and knots. 5. The outer shell of the glove now has to be built and starts with sewing welting leather between the fingers to make the seam stronger and the fingers and palm piece are sewn together to finish the back piece of the outer shell. (Leather softener can be used to help prevent tearing as the shell parts are sewn 10. Finally, the glove is once again mounted on hot finger forms to expand the fingers and thumb so that the player's hand can fit into the glove more easily. This completes the process of a finely crafted baseball glove. together and welting leather is used to add strength and rigidity to the outer shell). Capine Discovery/Science Channel's "How it's Made" Baseball Gloves Episode. http://www.capireglove.com/about/brandstory