I have a new glove.
The first day of December 2019, a friend, who will remain nameless, texted me and told me to check my email. This is a friend who knows I can’t check my email on my flip phone. I had been gone for the morning writing, working on a couple of different projects, and was driving home for lunch when I received the message. Of course, I hit every stoplight red and found myself perfectly positioned behind a driver proceeding at approximately half the speed limit.
As soon as I pulled into the driveway, I was immediately approached by my neighbor who was excited to show me the latest addition to his Star Wars collection. He was consumed with counting down the days to the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker much like I am quite aware that Opening Day for the KC Royals at Kauffman Stadium is 40 days away. My neighbor told me his adventure of his latest acquisitions and 10-year old me delighted in every detail.
I then went home where I was greeted by a cat who was convinced he was starving to death, a dog with a ball in her mouth whining and wagging her tail, and a living room full of trash as the two beasts-now-on-the-naughty-list had conspired to completely empty the kitchen trash can.
When the trash was picked up and the cat was fed and the dog temporarily appeased, I finally checked my email. My friend had sent me a gift card to 44 Pro Gloves.
The relatively-new, California-based company is known for their customized glove building experience. From choosing sizes and models to colors and textures of leathers and laces, playing with the 44 Glove Builder is an entertaining way to pass the off-season. A couple of friends from the Grip ‘N’ Rip Baseball League used 44 gloves and I loved seeing the creativity in their designs.
Over the course of the next two days, my writing slowed down considerably as I kept thinking of new models and patterns and designs. I made at least fifty different gloves before I finally decided on mine.
A 12.25” T-web with blue palm and laces, orange paisley back, and white dual welting.
(The Mighty Henry’s favorite color is orange. The first time I showed him the glove, he thought I was giving it to him. He was wrong. Maybe in 10 years. Maybe.)
When the glove came in the mail after weeks of forever-waiting, I opened it and promptly sprained something in my wrist / forearm trying to squeeze the uber-stiff leather. Two months later, the glove is decently broken in, ready for catch-playing adventures.
I’ve got big dreams for this glove. (Not that they’ll ever necessarily come true, but that’s not the point of dreams. The point of dreams is to keep you moving, to prevent stagnation of mind, body, and soul. Quit dreaming at your own risk.)
Playing catch with Alex Gordon.
Throwing out a first pitch for the KC Royals.
Setting a Guinness World Record.
Learning to throw a good knuckleball.
I have a new glove and I’m excited to see what new stories it will help me live, what new friends I’ll make, what new dreams will be born in my over-active imagination.
Wanna play catch?
