Baseball is considered to be America's pastime, and the baseball glove came into being shortly after game was invented. There are several pieces of essential equipment to play the game of baseball, and the glove is as important as any. Gloves can vary in size and shape, but almost all of the gloves are made of leather for several reasons.
History
Baseball players first started wearing padded gloves in the field in the 1870s. The first gloves were designed to simply pad the hands and quickly grew in popularity by the 1890s. As the game of baseball evolved through the years, so did the gloves, by adding features such as a pocket to catch the ball.
Significance
Leather was chosen to make baseball gloves due to its ability to flex and form to the player's hand. Each glove can be cut and customized to certain specifications and lengths and then sewn together. Features, such as padding, can be added for extra protection to the player's hand.
Breathability
Leather is naturally breathable, which provides comfort for the players on hot days. Games can be played in a variety of climates, from hot and humid to below freezing. Leather adjusts well to different temperatures, allowing the glove to be used year-round.
Break-In & Flexibility
The "break-in" period, or the time spent to get the glove ready for game competition, consists of a process to soften and form the leather to the player's hand. Oil can be added to the leather during the break-in period to increase the flexibility and durability of the leather.
Time Frame
If taken care of properly--by keeping the glove out of direct sunlight or exposure to extreme heat, for instance--the glove can last several seasons. Special leather and glove conditioners are available to keep the leather durable and usable for many years. Initially, gloves were made of leather so players could use the same glove season after season.
Brands
There are several companies, including Easton, Nike, Nokona, Rawlings, Wilson and Mizuno, that produce leather baseball gloves. Each company produces several shapes, models and sizes to fit the needs of different players.
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