Used by defensive baseball players for decades, leather baseball gloves are an essential piece of equipment and manufactured by various equipment companies. One of those companies, located in Nocona, Texas, was founded in 1926 and has produced high-quality Nokona gloves -- spelled with a "K" to avoid trademark issues. Originally owned and operated by Nocona Athletic Goods Company, Nokona gloves have a long history for developing and producing baseball gloves.
Origins
Founded in 1926 by the Storey family in Nocona, Texas, located about 90 miles northwest of Dallas, Nokona gloves started a legacy for making gloves. Following family-oriented company values, Nokona gloves were eventually a division of Nocona Athletic Goods Company and by 2010 produced about 75,000 leather gloves annually.
Changes
Throughout the years, Nokona gloves saw numerous changes. One of the first major changes occurred on July 18, 2006, when the 60,000-square-foot factory burned to the ground after a box fan overheated. Then, on July 3, 2010, DallasNews.com reported that the fourth-generation Nokona company was purchased by Phoenix-based Cutters Gloves. Cutters Gloves also produces football gloves and other sports performance gloves in addition to the Nokona gloves. Nokona gloves, however, remained based in Nocona, Texas.
Models
With 75,000 gloves produced annually, Nokona gloves started with a few basic models but grew to more than 60 models by 2010. Ranging in price from about $125 to $300 as of 2010, Nokona gloves are recognized as being made from high-quality, durable leather. The leather choices from Nokona include traditional leather along with specialty leathers such as buffalo or kangaroo. Nokona has used kangaroo leather since the 1950s and is known for its tensile strength, density and lightweight.
Endorsements
Nocona Athletic Goods Company maintained a specific outlook on professional endorsements to keep the price of the gloves as low as possible. This position is a result of wanting to spend the endorsement money for developing high-quality gloves. While being the only major glove maker to not have any secure professional endorsements, professional baseball players still used the gloves. However, in 2004, Nokona endorsed Todd Walker, a professional infielder.
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