History has not kept good records on who the first player to use batting gloves was. But it is thought that Bobby Thomson of the New York Giants is the first player to use them during a spring training game in 1949. He never used them in a regular season game. The first player thought to have worn batting gloves in a regular season game was Ken Harrelson in 1964 when he was playing for the Kansas City Athletics. Rusty Staub is credited with being the first player to wear batting gloves on a consistant basis during the 1969 season when he was with the Montreal Expos. By the mid 1970s they became common in MLB. Today (August 13, 2007), Ken Harrelson does the play-by-play on Chicago White Sox TV broadcasts.
The first recorded instance of any player using a Baseball glove dates to the season of 1869, when Cincinnati Red Stockings catcher Doug Allison first experimented with the idea by having a glove made for him by a local saddle maker. At that time, however, it was considered "unmanly" for players to seek protection for one's hands and the use of a glove was considered a sign of weakness. In 1875 Charles Waite of the St. Louis Brown Stockings became the first fielder to wear a fingerless glove. Unfortunately for him, he was the subject of intense ridicule by not only the opposing players and fans, but by his own teammates as well. Obviously, the timing was not right for the widespread acceptance of baseball gloves. It would take a few more years, along with a significant rule change, before the use of gloves became accepted. In the 1880s a rule was passed that made even the most "manly" of players consider using gloves: pitchers were now allowed to throw overhand. With the speed of pitches now greatly increased, balls were being thrown with alarming force to catchers, and struck with much greater force by batters. Valor quickly gave way to discretion. That decade witnessed players adopting the use of a tight fingerless glove for use in the field. Catchers normally wore a pair of gloves on their hands during that era, as they were clearly in the most vulnerable position with regard to hand injuries. The fingerless glove would be worn on the throwing hand. The adoption of the baseball glove by baseball star Albert Spalding when he began playing first base influenced more infielders to begin using gloves.
In 1871, Spalding joined the Boston Red Stockings (precursor club to the modern Atlanta Braves) and was highly successful; winning 205 games (and losing only 53) as a pitcher and batting .323 as a hitter. After the NA folded, he joined the Chicago White Stockings of the newly formed National League in 1876, winning 47 games as the club captured the league's inaugural pennant. Spalding retired from baseball two years later. Retired from the game, he and his brother opened a sporting goods store in Chicago, obtaining the rights to produce the official National League ball. Alfred James Reach one of the early stars of baseball in the National Association. Similar to Al Spalding, Reach formed a sporting goods company and earned millions. In fact, he sold his company to Spalding in 1889. Reach sporting goodsone of the first Manufacturers of Baseball gloves.
George A. Rawlings, invented improvements in the baseball glove. In an application, patented on September 8, 1885 Rawlings proposed the use of padding in the fingers, thumb, and the palm of the gloves for the "prevention of the bruising of the hands when catching the ball." The felt/rubber combination in the padding provided for increased flexibility and thus improved protection from bruising. (I will include a picture of the patent below) George and Alfred Rawlings opened a retail sporting goods store in 1887
Below I will leave a link to a Vintage Baseball Glove Dating Guide.
The first recorded instance of any player using a baseball glove dates to the season of 1869, when Cincinnati Red Stockings catcher Doug Allison first experimented with the idea by having a glove made for him by a local saddle maker. At that time, however, it was considered "unmanly" for players to seek protection for one's hands and the use of a glove was considered a sign of weakness. In 1875 Charles Waite of the St. Louis Brown Stockings became the first fielder to wear a fingerless glove. Unfortunately for him, he was the subject of intense ridicule by not only the opposing players and fans, but by his own teammates as well. Obviously, the timing was not right for the widespread acceptance of baseball gloves. It would take a few more years, along with a significant rule change, before the use of gloves became accepted. In the 1880s a rule was passed that made even the most "manly" of players consider using gloves: pitchers were now allowed to throw overhand. With the speed of pitches now greatly increased, balls were being thrown with alarming force to catchers, and struck with much greater force by batters. Valor quickly gave way to discretion. That decade witnessed players adopting the use of a tight fingerless glove for use in the field. Catchers normally wore a pair of gloves on their hands during that era, as they were clearly in the most vulnerable position with regard to hand injuries. The fingerless glove would be worn on the throwing hand. The adoption of the baseball glove by baseball star Albert Spalding when he began playing first base influenced more infielders to begin using gloves.
In 1871, Spalding joined the Boston Red Stockings (precursor club to the modern Atlanta Braves) and was highly successful; winning 205 games (and losing only 53) as a pitcher and batting .323 as a hitter. After the NA folded, he joined the Chicago White Stockings of the newly formed National League in 1876, winning 47 games as the club captured the league's inaugural pennant. Spalding retired from baseball two years later. Retired from the game, he and his brother opened a sporting goods store in Chicago, obtaining the rights to produce the official National League ball. Alfred James Reach one of the early stars of baseball in the National Association. Similar to Al Spalding, Reach formed a sporting goods company and earned millions. In fact, he sold his company to Spalding in 1889. Reach sporting goodsone of the first Manufacturers of Baseball gloves.
George A. Rawlings, invented improvements in the baseball glove. In an application, patented on September 8, 1885Rawlings proposed the use of padding in the fingers, thumb, and the palm of the gloves for the "prevention of the bruising of the hands when catching the ball." The felt/rubber combination in the padding provided for increased flexibility and thus improved protection from bruising. (I will include a picture of the patent below) George and Alfred Rawlings opened a retail sporting goods store in 1887
Below I will leave a link to a Vintage Baseball Glove Dating Guide. -Steven KeyMan
It was invented in Canada. Canada is actually home of many inventions. (ie; light bulbs, Basketball...etc)
In the year 1920 at Santa Claus' house. He was wearing only a Hanes brief while producing those gloves...
This is some discrepancy over who invented the first baseball glove. However, Rawlings sports manufacturing company is the first recorded manufacturer of the baseball glove and does hold the patent on this first glove.
for scooping out throws
Christmas of 1908
As baseball was developed in the United States, so was the equipment used. The first recorded instance of any player using a baseball glove was in Cincinnati in 1869, when Red Stockings player Doug Allison had a glove made for him by a local saddle maker. Some equipment such as catchers shinguards were modeled after a cricketer's leg pads but, the baseball glove, USA made.
i think Phil rizzuto
This was my first baseball glove. I bought it for $2.66 @ Sears in 1958.
glove
Some people claim that the baseball glove was first invented in Canada. However, there has been an American patent for a baseball glove since 12345456
A baseball glove protect your body and assist players in catching and fielding balls hit by batters.
First a Glove then a Bat and a Ball And a team of two or more
Vintage Baseball Glove Cleaning & ConditioningBefore "Preserving" or conditioning your glove it would be a good idea to clean it first. Even if you feel the glove is not dirty, removing any minor surface dirt will prepare the leather to fully absorb what ever conditioning you use. See Related Links below for detailed methods for preserving your baseball glove.
Well there are both gloves and mitts. These include: Catcher's mitt First basemen's mitt Outfielder's glove Infielder's glove Pitcher's glove And a ambidextrous glove So there are 6 types.