Early Baseball Glove History 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 goods one of the first Manufacturers of Baseball gloves. Above are replica Baseball Gloves made by the Reach Sporting goods company.