For Real?

Clare brought back a brochure from a glove manufacturer that was at her softball convention in Atlanta last week.  I can’t believe these guys out of Kansas are for real.  They make “Shoeless Joe” and “Shoeless Jane” baseball and softball gloves.  Factor in the $170-$190 price tag, and you’ve got yourself a good Black Sox joke in there somewhere.

The brochure has the same sepia-tone feel as the catalogues for Ebbets Field Flannels, and they allude to quality craftsmanship in the same way, to the point I think they’re ok with customers confusing them with Ebbets.  One difference, though, is that Ebbets goes to great length publicizing that their jerseys, jackets and caps are made in the USA.  I couldn’t find notice of that with the Kansas folk.

The most interesting—or weirdest, I’m not sure which—gloves were the replicas.  For just $150, you can get a fielder’s glove from 1910, 1925, 1937, 1949 or 1956.  They better come with a warning along the lines of “New gloves are like bushel baskets, this one is more of a thimble, so be advised as that bouncing ball takes aim at your head.”