The first makeshift baseball glove was worn by Cincinnati Red Stockings catcher Doug Allison. The year was 1870, and an official baseball glove had not yet been invented. Allison wore a pair of buckskin mittens to protect his calloused hands. While the opposing team and its fans found this quite funny, Allison got the last laugh. Other baseball players began to wear buckskin work gloves during their games.Although the glove-wearing trend caught on, the evolution of the baseball glove developed at a slow pace. Finally, in the 1950s, baseball gloves with hinges were manufactured. Webs got bigger, while the fingers got wider and flatter.
Today, baseball gloves come in all varieties. When choosing a baseball glove, comfort is paramount. Along with comfort, your choice of baseball glove will also depend on what position you play. Pitchers' and infielders' baseball gloves are usually smaller than the gloves worn by an outfielder. Open-web designs are usually preferred by outfielders and third basemen, while middle infielders and pitchers are partial to closed-web designs. A catcher's glove is usually referred to as a mitt. Its heavy padding makes it inappropriate for other positions. The first baseman's glove is similar to the catcher's, with additional length to facilitate the fielding of balls. In contrast, infielder gloves are shorter. A longer glove for an infielder would be less functional, since it would delay the time it takes to throw the ball to a base.
Once you have chosen your baseball glove, you will want to break it in. Although various oils and lotions--such as Vaseline and shaving cream--can be used to soften the leather, most glove manufacturers make their own oils. You will also need to form a pocket in your baseball glove. This can be accomplished by placing a ball in the glove and tying it shut with shoelaces. Finally, to ensure your baseball glove's longevity, keep it stored in a cool, dry place.
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