The Evolution Of The Baseball Glove

By Dominic.Grimes

  • The first Recorded Use

    The first Recorded Use
    The oldest known use of a glove is by Charlie Waitt of the St. Louis Brown Stockings, who protects his hand using a leather glove. More people started wearing gloves due to the glove's increased popularity in the league. Winkler, Marty. “Glove Love Part I: The Birth and Acceptance of the Baseball Glove.” Baseballexpress.com, Baseball Express, 19 Feb. 2020, www.baseballexpress.com/insider/glove-love-part-1 srsltid=AfmBOopv_sMvVq5n8fH2dXI_aYQNRtmqK2Fp1Grn3aj4KAT3kLPC6qb5. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

  • Full-Finger Gloves Appear

    Full-Finger Gloves Appear
    Players start wearing full-finger gloves for improved protection, though they are still basic leather styles with little cushioning. This helped baseball by protecting the hand better than fingerless gloves. “1880’S Finger Tip Baseball Glove.” Keymancollectibles.com, 2025, keymancollectibles.com/glovesmitts/fingertipworkmansbaseballglove.htm. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

  • Webbing Is Introduced

    Webbing Is Introduced
    Spalding, a major sporting goods company, introduces gloves with added webbing between the thumb and index finger to improve catching ability. Glove, Baseball. “Mitt-Spit Baseball Glove Care.” Mitt-Spit Baseball Glove Care, 29 June 2023, mitt-spit.com/mitt-spit-blog/2023/6/29/when-was-webbing-first-incorporated-into-a-baseball-glove. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

  • Laced Web and Padded Gloves

    Laced Web and Padded Gloves
    Bill Doak, a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, suggests adding a laced pocket to gloves, leading to deeper pockets and better ball control for players throughout the league. Dawson, Bill. “St. Louis Cardinals: Bill Doak Deserves a Spot in the Cardinals’ Pantheon.” Redbird Rants, 25 Nov. 2019, redbirdrants.com/2019/11/25/st-louis-cardinals-bill-doak-pantheon/. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

  • First Baseman Mitts Are Made

    First Baseman Mitts Are Made
    Manufacturers create specialized gloves, including the first baseman's mitt with a larger surface and more padding. Thus making it easier for the position considering it is one of the most important positions on the field which allowed baseball to change forever. Daniels, Richard. “The First Baseman’s Mitt: Why It Is What It Is.” Last Word on Baseball, 17 Dec. 2020, lastwordonsports.com/baseball/2020/12/16/the-first-basemans-mitt/. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

  • Hinged Gloves For Flexibility

    Hinged Gloves For Flexibility
    Hinged gloves are introduced, allowing players to open and close their gloves more easily, leading to better performance. “Nostalgia: The 1950s and My Mitts - Creative Nonfiction.” Creative Nonfiction, 29 Aug. 2022, creativenonfiction.org/writing/nostalgia-the-1950s-and-my-mitts/. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

  • Position Specific Gloves

    Position Specific Gloves
    Different glove designs emerge for each fielding position, such as larger outfielder gloves and smaller, more flexible infielder gloves. Making it easier for specific positions on the field. “Gloves by Position | JustGloves.com.” Www.justballgloves.com, JustBallGloves.com, 2025, www.justballgloves.com/glove-resource-guide/selecting-a-glove/#:~:text=Infield%20Gloves,-History%20of%20Infield&text=In%20the%20very%20first%20years,the%20gloves%20we%20have%20today. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

  • New Material

    New Material
    Some gloves incorporate synthetic materials, making them lighter and more durable compared to full-leather designs. JustGloves. “The Rawlings Fastback ® | and Other Rawlings Glove Features!” Www.justballgloves.com, JustGloves, 11 July 2023, www.justballgloves.com/blog/post/rawlings-fastback-glove/?srsltid=AfmBOorcfiUhfpP9QZau_5de46efZo6ezWKkOFHh98Nc2oZUa4WbO27N. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

  • Player Preference Gloves

    Player Preference Gloves
    Companies begin offering custom gloves tailored to individual players' hand sizes and position needs. Eavenson, Clay. “How Custom Gloves Improve Fielding Performance.” Relentless Sports, 16 Feb. 2024, www.relentlesssports.co/blogs/custom-sports-gear/how-custom-gloves-improve-fielding-performance?srsltid=AfmBOooxjcTUtcizqpyyp3X0yC81nkqQamAHNCtIq8VB4HRSHpC1FssU. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

  • Present Technology And Smart Gloves

    Present Technology And Smart Gloves
    Modern gloves feature moisture-resistant leather, reinforced padding, and even smart technology that tracks catching mechanics for training purposes. to, Contributors. “Large Leather Glove Worn by Baseball Players.” Wikipedia.org, Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 21 July 2004, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball_glove#:~:text=Modern%20gloves%20have%20become%20quite,a%20good%20target%20for%20pitchers. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.