GLOVE MAKING

The glove making process begins when the designer carefully sketches paper patterns of each component of the glove. The production department then hand-cuts the templates and makes necessary corrections to the design. At this point, steel clicker dies are made from the different templates.

Meanwhile, tanned hides are inspected for color and quality. The raw materials for each of the four components of the glove: the outside shell, padding, lining and the web, are separated for the production process. The shell and web travel in one direction, while the lining and padding move in another, only to meet later in the process.

Each section calls for a separate die, which is laid out on the leather hide. Then a large clicker machine, exerting hammer force to the dies, stamps out the pieces used to make the glove. The next operation is to stamp the leather hides with the trademarks of the manufacturer along with such things as the player's name, stock number and any other pertinent information.

The shell, which is comprised of three distinct parts: the fingers, the palm, and the thumb, is assembled by sewing the shell back and the palm pieces together. It is also interesting to note that these parts are stitched together inside-out. Afterwards, the glove is inspected for flaws, turned right side out and formed for proper shape and fit.

At the same time, the lining fingers are sewn together, joining the back and the palm. Although it would appear that the lining is wrong side out, it's in the proper position to be inserted into the shell. In a separate operation, the web is sewn and made ready for glove assembly.

Now it's time for the padding to be inserted into the lining for the final binding and lacing. All binding material is made with durable rawhide leather laces. After some fitting and shaping procedures, the glove is finished and ready for one last inspection.

Now your baseball or softball glove is ready for you to go out and shag some fly balls!

See also: Glove Care & Glove Evolution