How Its Made: Baseball Gloves

How Its Made: Baseball Gloves is a blog that takes a look at the process of making baseball gloves. From the leather to the stitching, we’ll explore how these gloves are made and what goes into making a quality glove.

The Lacing

In order to make a baseball glove, you need to start with the lacing. The lacing is what gives the glove its shape and strength. It is made out of a leather or synthetic material that is tough and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. The lacing is sewn into the glove with a strong thread that will not break easily.

The webbing is cut to size

The webbing is cut to size and then sewn into the shell of the glove. More than one row of stitching is used to make sure that the webbing is securely in place. Once the webbing is in place, the leather lacing is sewn onto the glove.

The lacing is stitched to the webbing

After the webbing is sewn to the shell, the lacing is stitched to the webbing. Once again, this is a job for the sewing machine. The operator lines up the lace with the pre-punched holes in the webbing and runs it through the machine.

The Shell

In order to create a baseball glove, artisans start with the shell. The shell is the outermost layer of the glove and provides protection for the internal layers. The shell is made of leather that has been treated to withstand the elements. Once the leather has been cut to the desired shape, it is then stitched together.

The shell is cut to size

The outer shell of the glove is cut from aSingle piece of leather that has been stamped with the baseball glove pattern. The patttern is then die-cut, or cut out with a sharp knife.

The shell is stitched to the webbing

The shell of the baseball glove is stitched to the webbing. The webbing is then stitched to the lining.

The Palm

In order to make the palm of the glove, a piece of leather is cut to shape and then sewn onto the back of the glove. A hole is cut out for the thumb and the fingers are sewn on one by one. A strip of leather is then sewn around the edge of the palm to finish it off.

The palm is cut to size

The leather for the palm of the glove is cut to size and then placed on a mold. The model of the hand is created by using metal dies to create an impression of the hand in the leather. The leather is then trimmed around the outside of the mold so that it will be a comfortable fit once it is complete.

The palm is stitched to the shell

The leather for the palm is stamped with the baseball- glove manufacturer’s logo and then is cut to shape. Holes are punched around the edge of the palm, and then it’s put on a machine that stitches it to the shell.

The Back

In the 1800s, baseball gloves were not webbed and were made from a single piece of leather. The webbing was added in the late 1800s to help players grip the ball. The first baseball gloves were brown, but now they come in a variety of colors. The leather is cut into pieces and then sewn together.

The back is cut to size

The leather for the back of the glove is cut to size using a pattern. A layer of foam is usually added between the leather and the lining to give the glove a softer feel.

The back is stitched to the shell

The back is stitched to the shell using a special machine that both cuts and folds the leather over the edge of the shell. A worker removes any excess leather, trims the lacing, and rounds the corners of the back.

The Stitching

It all starts with the leather. High quality, American Steerhide is cut into pieces that will later be formed into the shape of a glove. After the leather is cut, it is then sent to a tannery where it is transformed from its raw state into something that is more durable and flexible.

The stitching is done by hand

The stitching is done by hand, one at a time with a needle and thread. It can take up to two days to stitch a single glove. The most common stitch used on baseball gloves is the “RawlingsPattern.” This type of stitch is recognizable by its “V” shape.

The stitching is done by machine

Today, the stitching is done by machine, but back in the day, it was all done by hand. A single stitch could take up to an hour to complete. The process starts with a strip of leather that’s about 12 inches long and 3 inches wide. This strip is called a lacing and it’s what’s used to connect the different parts of the glove together.