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the design to sporting goods maker Rawlings.

Each new design enhancement lead to increases in defensive prowess, which fueled the support for more technical enhancements in the design and evolution of the glove. The number of errors per game was steadily falling from nearly two per game in 1910 to just 0.74 per game in 1988, much of this credited to improved mitts. One hundred years of innovation lead to refinements of deeper pockets, specialized webs, larger sizes, quick closing actions, and snug fits.

The new gloves even introduce a modification of the defensive technique, much to the chagrin of future youth baseball coaches: the one handed catch. Ted Williams explaining the hurdles to hitting .400 listed the slider and the improved glove as the main deterrents. The ball no longer had to be snuffed into your palm with both hands, the web was the intended destination and the ball could be cradled to that point in the glove with one hand control, enabling all fielders to catch nearly any ball they could just get to. Even the catchers got into the one handed approach with the introduction of the Hundley-Bench model with its central hinge that closed on impact allowing catchers to use one hand and move their throwing hand out of harm's way.

Specialty bred new gloves, as each position had unique needs from the general needs of all fielders. Yogi Berra is credited with introducing the practice of placing his index finger outside the mitt to create an air pocket for additional cushioning. This was later incorporated into the design for the back side of the mitt that was originally left open to provide ventilation. Hank Greenberg used a glove with an elongated web while playing first base in the 1934 World Series and this was a precursor to the first baseman's mitts which became the norm after World War II. Even the difficulty catching the famed knuckleball of Hoyt Wilhelm drove, then Baltimore manager, Paul Richards to develop a huge mitt, some 45 inches in circumference and a hinged pocket.

Outfielders could gain a half step with the large gloves with long fingers and had their reach extended with features like the trademarked Fastback model which provided a snug fit without having to insert their whole hand into the glove. Many pitchers used closed webs in their gloves to hide their grips on the baseball prior to the pitch from inquisitive batters and runners. While middle infielders typically steered toward smaller gloves with shallow pockets as they needed to exchange the ball to their throwing hand quickly to complete the play.

The push toward bigger and bigger gloves and larger pockets for all positions forced the need to establish size limitation rules. Current limitations are a maximum of 12 inches long and 7 wide, with pocket width limited to 4 inches across and 5 inches deep, except for catcher's and first baseman's mitts. This helped level the playing field and standardize the offerings between manufacturers.

While early glove color was tan to be inconspicuous as possible, newer designs feature colors and features to add or reflect the personality of the ball player. Not only are the "unnatural" colors, like blue, red and orange available for leather gloves, but also country flags and custom embroidery with the likes of name and number stitched right into the glove. Players can now take the customization down to selecting from choices of leather, backing style, web layout, and length, creating a unique and individual glove.

Learn more about this author, Chuck Moyer.
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