Last Updated on July 28, 2023
When you were a young player, you may have seen someone with a 44 Pro glove. With infinite personalization possibilities, 44 Pro has established its business by letting consumers design a one-of-a-kind leather item at an affordable price.
I was browsing through several social media platforms one day. I discovered a brand with the name 44 Pro Gloves. When I looked at a few of their gloves, I saw that some of them had these attractive cuffs.
Since I like baseball, I thought I should give it a shot. And I did. Ultimately, a glove must be able to capture the ball, despite how it looks.
I’ve been wearing the glove for over a year and would like to provide you with a comprehensive analysis of a 44 Pro custom glove. Concerning the glove, I have a few different emotions. Here is my 44 Pro gloves review.
44 Pro gloves review – Overview
MLB fans love 44 Pro Gloves, a well-known baseball glove brand. To put it simply, I found 44 Pro Gloves to be a solid performer compared to the rest of its competition.
44 Pro, which has its headquarters in San Diego, began producing gloves in 2011. They are getting more and more clients, like Justin Bour, the new first baseman for the Angels, and a bunch of young pitchers from all over the league.
They provide basic versions for the first base and the catcher’s position, in addition to five distinct fielding models. The Pro 44 series has the most variety of customizable features, including choices for mesh and inlay, as well as single and dual welting. This series is available in all of the available models.
The sheepskin interior and the faux fur wrist back are two additional features of the Signature Series gloves. My go-to model is an 11.75-inch Signature Series Pro 44 2-Piece design.
Glove Types
Knowing the anatomy of your glove might be of assistance when you move on to the next step of adjusting your glove to the playing preferences. There are many parts to a baseball glove, all of which are there so that you can catch the ball more easily while playing the game.
There are a variety of materials to choose from when purchasing a 44 Pro Baseball glove.
- Synthetic leather does not need a “break-in” time and is simple to close. This lightweight variant is suitable for younger players.
- As players age and progress in organizations, softer leather oil-treated leather provides a more game-ready feel and is easier to break in.
- The best quality choice is the premium or the Pro Series leather, which has exceptional artistry and unmatched durability and comfort. When it has had some time to “break-in,” this material will be able to fit your hand better.
Baseball players may choose from the following styles of gloves while shopping at 44 Pro:
Outfield
Outfielders are crucial players since they are their team’s last defensive line. You must have the proper glove on the hand in case a hitter smashes one deep.
Outfielders need a certain kind of baseball glove, similar to those used by pitchers and catchers. As the team’s final defense line, they require a glove with the proper webbing, cushioning, and length.
44 Pro provides a variety of gloves, each of which is designed to attract your attention. They also give them cool names, which I find amusing. Additionally, you may personalize the gloves by using their glove builder.
Because they constantly run or dive to catch a ball, outfielders are not always afforded the pleasure of producing easy outs. Most professionals choose a bigger glove in a “T web” shape.
T-webs, in comparison to other varieties of webbing, are significantly longer and more in-depth. Outfielders benefit from the added length and depth because of the increased distance they can reach with the ball.
Additionally, trap webs can close more quickly than other varieties of webs. As a result, outfielders must swiftly clench their gloves so that the ball does not burst out of the palm when it hits.
Youth gloves produced by 44 Pro range in size from 12 to 12.5 inches and are intended for players aged 12 and younger. To get the best possible fit, pull the strap over the back of your wrist until it is snug. This will also give you a more customized experience.
Youth gloves are often difficult to choose as the fit may go wrong. Know What Size Baseball Glove For 7 Year Old Fits Good.
The same principle applies to adult gloves, which typically range from 12.5 to 13 inches. These gloves are the biggest and will enable you to cover the maximum area during a game.
Remember that having the appropriate glove while playing in the outfield is vital. Without fine webbing, you might quickly lose the ball as it strikes your palm.
If it is too short, you are more likely to overlook it. Consequently, before you use a glove on the field, you must ensure that you have given it the appropriate measurements and that it has been well tested.
If you are looking for outfield gloves you can also read my article on Top 3 Wilson outfield gloves.
Infield
To be effective, infielders must be able to move quickly and decisively. 44 Pro has gotten the fit just right for you. You can choose between an 11″ or a 12.25″. They do not quite measure up to outfielder gloves in length.
There are an infinite number of color options. Your individuality is on display here.
I am blown away by their selection of five different web types. There are many types of web, including H type, Y type, V type, Basket Web, and Net Web. Professional baseball players can choose from various web kinds to suit their needs.
They provide their outfielders with a Pro Stiff glove. Around ninety to ninety-five percent of players successfully break in the glove. They broke in the glove at the typical level of stiffness, which takes between 55 and 60 percent of players.
44 Pro uses Kip palm liners in their gloves to make them smooth, lightweight, and comfortable. Kip leather palm liners are an enhancement from regular sheep skin liners.
Don't know which size of baseball glove is a perfect fit for you? Read my detailed guide on How to measure hand for baseball glove
First Baseman
First basemen encounter a lot of activity on the field, so they want a glove that will aid them in making plays and outplaying their opponents. 44 Pro is a baseball glove manufacturer that is conscientious of all the limitations and provides the baseball gloves required by professional basemen.
Perhaps more than any other position in the game, first basemen constantly move across the field. Collecting throws from those other infielders, collecting pitchers’ pickoff tries, and defending their position all tax a player’s glove.
First basemen are more likely to receive throws and have fewer ball transfers than other position players. As a result, the pocket of 44 Pro gloves is deeper to accommodate the increased number of catches.
The mitts used by first basemen are longer than those used by other positions and feature a solid edge bent inward. The mitt size for a 44 Pro first baseman will often range from 11 to 12.25 inches.
However, you do not want the glove to be too big since you need to be capable of maintaining control of it while the game is going on. This is a significant consideration when shopping for a first baseman’s glove for younger athletes.
Additional Read: How to break in a catchers mitt
Catchers
Getting caught requires a lot of effort. You must offer a suitable target for the pitcher, switch stances, block dirt pitches, and monitor base-stealers for a speedy throw to second while calling pitches.
Extra padding offers increased protection at the expense of a diminished storage capacity. The cushioning on the 44 Pro is among the very finest I have seen. If you want more protection against shock, increasing an inch in size would guarantee you will still have the entire pocket space you need.
Anyone under 12 typically needs a mitt of 32 inches or less, while anyone under 13 typically needs a mitt of 32.5 inches or more. The 32.5″-35″ range encompasses the 44 Pro Catcher’s Glove.
In addition, 44 Pro included a wrist guard in their design. The 44 pro gloves need two to three months of modest exercise before the robust leathers are entirely broken in. To get their latest steerhide glove fit for regular usage, a pro player will purchase a new glove and utilize it part-time.
Remember that many models are available pre-broken from the manufacturer, significantly reducing the time it takes to adapt.
Leather
After a year of usage, the glove’s leather quality has held up just as well as either Rawlings or Wilson’s. Take into consideration that I have worn the glove in my position as a pitcher and take excellent care of it.
That is seen in how well the glove has held up. Kip leather has a smooth, buttery texture, and it performs well. Additionally, it is lightweight and long-lasting.
The quality of 44’s laces truly jumps out, in addition to the fact that they market them as being “USA Tanned.” Out of the box, the laces were knotted pretty loosely, but after giving them some additional tension, I haven’t had to readjust them once.
Laces
One of the glove’s most critical aspects is how the laces look. When you combine this with excellent leather quality, you can feel confident in the glove you are taking into the field.
Welting
The 44 Pro has a structure made entirely of leather with either a single or dual welting to make the pocket more robust. This glove’s size (11.5 inches) makes it ideal for usage in the middle infield, but it also has the potential to be effective at third base due to its enhanced reaction speed and control.
The break-in period is almost non-existent because of the kip leather’s elasticity. In addition to this, 44 Pro utilizes half welting as well as split rough welting.
The pocket is large enough for fast transfers to cover and change pitch grips, making it ideal for quickly snagging hotshots. The ball lands in the glove’s pocket, a depression in the palm.
44 Pro allows its customers to choose between more oversized and shallower pockets. They are ideal for fielders who must rapidly grasp the ball and switch it to the hand they throw to make quick plays and deliver the ball to the batter as soon as possible.
Size
For their baseball gloves, 44 pro baseball gloves size is recommended for players of all ages. Every positional player has a unique size, and you probably have guessed that youngsters also have their sizes. Adult baseball gloves typically vary in length from 11″ to 13″.
Their batting gloves come in nine colors and sizes, ranging from small to XXL.
Construction
Regarding the construction of their gloves, 44 Pro relies on premium Japanese Tanned Kip leather. For their luxury products, they employ Kip leather which has become their trademark. They use steerhide leather in the production of their more budget-friendly styles.
Fit
How to measure a baseball mitt? Measure from the end of the player’s index finger along the length of the palm to the back of the glove. Most baseball gloves do not extend any more than 12.5 inches in length.
If you are in the market for a catcher’s mitt, you will find that the glove size ranges from 32.5 to 34 inches. This is because a catcher’s glove is measured around its diameter.
If you are concerned about how the gloves will fit you, 44 Pro has you covered. There were no issues with the way it fit at all. They provide gloves in a range of sizes, so you can choose one that not only works well with your hands and improves your athletic performance on the field.
The Craftsmanship
If you want a design that can be utilized throughout the diamond, the Pro 44 should be your go-to choice. It was possible to conceal pitch grips inside the pocket, making it ideal for making rapid transfers while still maintaining the ability to catch hotshots.
In my testing, the glove broke in quite fast. The glove was game-ready in a few weeks after a bit of shaping and catch practice, and it has maintained its shape well without a lot of attention.
Minor defects in artistry do exist, however, and they tend to be primarily aesthetic and do not have a significant impact on the glove’s ability to function. This results in an uneven appearance since the lace holes are not aligned correctly in various places on the garment.
This applies to the finger holes as well. It is a tad inconvenient that giant corporations do not seem to get these decorative touches quite right.
Although 44 Pro shifted manufacturing from China to the Philippines the previous year, Rawlings makes the most of its gloves there.
Many manufacturing flaws have been ironed out in the most recent iterations of these gloves. This glove is still a trustworthy performer despite the minor defects in the manufacturing.
44 Gloves vs A2000
The Wilson A2000 baseball glove has garnered much attention over the years. It is difficult to find a better-quality glove than the Wilson A2000.
The 44 Pro gloves offer an advantage in certain other respects as well. Let us look at the benefits these two gloves provide for the customers.
Fit
The fit of the 44 gloves and the A2000 is excellent. The 44 Pro Gloves are available in every conceivable size, catering to adults and youths. The 44 pro gloves come in sizes ranging from 11 to 13 inches.
The Wilson A2000 is available in several other sizes as well. However, the greatest size that can be found is 12.75 inches, which may provide a challenge for those who have huge hands.
Feel
There is a significant contrast between the two gloves in terms of their overall feel. The 44 Pro gloves have a more substantial and robust feeling than the Wilson A2000.
The Wilson A2000 has a much higher quality inside than the 44 Pro gloves. Your hands will stay dry and comfortable thanks to the DriLex Wrist Lining. Additionally, the Wilson A2000 is superior to the 44 Pro because of its lining.
If there is another glove that can compete with the Wilson A2000, it may be one made by Wilson themselves. Wilson A2k vs Wilson A2000 can help you pick the perfect glove if you searching for the finest baseball gloves.
Construction
The top variants of the 44 Pro are covered with Japanese Kip leather. The Wilson A2000 is constructed of durable pro stock leather.
The Wilson A2000, in my opinion, has a much more pleasant overall appearance than the 44 Pro gloves. The leather on the 44 Pro seems more faded and worn. The leather of the Wilson a2000 has more excellent contrast and seems more robust and expensive than other gloves.
About three years ago, I started using the Wilson A2000. Honestly, my 44 Pro gloves appear much older than my previous Wilson ones.
Break In
The Wilson A2000 gloves have substantially softer leather. Thus, they break in much more quickly and easily than the Wilson 44 gloves.
Wilson A2000 has a unique way to break in. Know How To Break In Wilson A2000 Outfield Glove if you have a game coming up.
Stiffness
Compared to the Wilson A2000, the 44 Pro gloves have a far more stiff construction.
Color Choices
The 44 Pro glove outshines the Wilson A2000 in terms of its color options. The Wilson only comes in one color, which is cream, and no other options are available. Butter 44 Pro is available in every color under the sun. They have every single one of them.
Customization
If we are talking about the ability to customize, those 44 Pro gloves have no competition. There is a stock model available for the Wilson A2000. You have some leeway in terms of personalization, but there are restrictions.
The 44 Pro allows for an almost unlimited amount of customization. There is also an inside cushion that is a lot softer, which is a nice touch for me. Using the web-based 44 Pro Gloves glove builder, you may personalize your gloves to the maximum possible extent.
Availability
If I speak from my personal experience, I will say that I had a difficult time getting 44 Pro gloves anywhere else but on their website. They are not offered for purchase on Amazon.
Regarding availability, the Wilson A2000 is better than the 44 Pro. You can get them from various online retailers, including Amazon, eBay, and Wilson’s website.
Value for Money
You can get your hands on the 44 Pro gloves for around $180. The Wilson A2000 cost around $300. You may see the most recent pricing information on Amazon.
So, in terms of service and pricing, I believe 44 Pro gloves are superior to Wilson A2000 gloves.
If you are a softball player then you must read my review on the Wilson A2000 Softball glove
Pros That Use 44 Gloves
Joe Musgrove
Joseph Musgrove is a professional baseball pitcher from the United States who currently plays for the San Diego Padres. He formerly played for the Toronto Blue Jays, the Houston Astros, and the Pittsburgh Pirates organizations.
In his games on the professional baseball circuit, Joe Musgrove wears gloves made by 44 Pro. In seven major league seasons, he is 48-51 with a 3.82 ERA. To his credit, he clinched victory for the Astros in 2017 World Series Game 5.
Yoan Moncada
Chicago White Sox third baseman Yoán Manuel Moncada Olivera is a Cuban pro baseball player. During the 2016–2017 winter, he was moved to the Chicago White Sox, where he made his MLB debut.
Whenever he plays, he wears 44 Pro gloves. The 44 Pro Gloves are highly recommended to me by Moncada directly. Moncada’s ability is unusual, and his set of skills is exceptional. Thanks to his influence, sales of 44 Pro gloves soared after he began wearing them.
Freddy Peralta
The Milwaukee Brewers’ Dominican pitcher Freddy Peralta competes in Major League Baseball for the Brewers of Milwaukee. Peralta threw with the Brew Crew, amassing a 3-1 record and a 3.99 earned run average. He made 15 appearances for the team.
This major league baseball player attributes his crazy high success to the usage of his 44 Pro gloves.
Nestor Cortes
Nasty Nestor, as well as the Hialeah Kid, are both nicknames that have been given to Cuban-American pro baseball pitcher Nestor Cortés. He now plays for the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball.
He wears 44 Pro gloves almost exclusively. He said the comfort of the 44 pro gloves is the feature he looks for most.
Diego Castillo
Diego Castillo is a pitcher in the Seattle Mariners for the Dominican Republic. He had a career in Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Many young people have followed in his footsteps because of his devotion to 44 Pro gloves. His achievements and the success of the Mariners speak for themselves.
Sydney Romero
Sydney Joy Romero, born in the United States on March 8, 1997, is now an assistant coach for the Duke softball team. The fastpitch softball team known as Team44 counts Sydney Romero among its original members. Sydney won the collegiate national championship twice and was first selected in the 2019 Pro Fastpitch draft. Her years of expertise in softball are a valuable asset.
Yandy Diaz
Yandy Daz Fernández is a Cuban third baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays. Earlier in his career, he was a player for the Cleveland Indians.
When 44Pro gloves first appeared in the MLB a few years back, they were almost entirely used by pitchers. They appear on position players such as the new third baseman for the Rays, Yandy Diaz. Diaz’s 44Pro glove resembles Kinsler’s Nike SHA DO. Diaz’s hand probably was not much bigger than the glove.
Jose Urquidy
Currently playing with the Houston Astros in Major League Baseball, José Luis Hernández Urquidy is a Mexican major league baseball pitcher. The first pitcher of Mexican descent to win several games in the World Series was José Urquidy. In that match, he wore the 44 pro gloves that have become his go-to pair.
Genesis Cabrera
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Génesis Cabrera is a Dominican-born professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball. Genesis Cabrera, one of the game’s most promising young pitchers, is making a name for himself by consistently driving the ball down the line and into the catcher’s glove.
The glove that Miguel Cabrera uses draws a lot of attention. The company 44 Pro Gloves made him a custom glove for his needs.
Glove Builder
The custom glove builder they have available on their official website is the feature that piqued my curiosity the most. You may choose from various colors and other functionalities to create the glove of your dreams for the next match.
Simply said, it is so simple to use that you will fall in love.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are 44 Pro Gloves Made in the USA?
Over the last year, 44 Pro relocated its manufacturing operations from China to the Philippines, where Rawlings manufactures most of its gloves.
2. How Long Does It Take To Break in a 44 Glove?
The production time for customized gloves is five to six weeks. It is important to remember that orders made during promotion can have a little longer construction time than usual.
3. How Expensive Is a 44 Glove?
Custom-made gloves have always been the focus of 44 Pro Gloves, created in 2011. They began with a single customs line. Today, they have three separate lines, each of which has advantages and disadvantages.
Kip leather on the outside and rigid inserts characterize the Signature Series. The model, considered of the finest quality, costs $185.
4. How Do You Use 44 Pro Glove Rub?
Organic coconut oil, beeswax, lanolin, and pine tar are the primary ingredients of 44 Glove Rub. Make sure to apply and massage until a uniform, thin shine is produced.
5. Why Do Baseball Players Keep One Finger Out of Glove?
Catchers and infielders who endure tremendous pressure retain their index finger outside the glove. When the ball hits the player’s finger, which is located within the glove at the point where it usually makes contact, they have an additional layer of protection.
6. Is 44 Pro Gloves Legit?
There is no question that 44 Pro can produce a high-quality, durable, and distinctive personalized glove that shines on the field. There are a few aesthetic mistakes, but other than that, the leather and the overall craft are excellent.
7. What Is the Best Web for a Baseball Glove?
Infielder gloves typically come with one of three different types of webs: I-webs, H-webs, or single-post webs. Infield gloves for pitchers should be closed or modified trapeze.
Final Words
My sincere goal is that our 44 Pro Gloves Review has provided helpful information that will assist you in making an informed buying decision. 44 Pro’s personalized gloves are undeniable of the highest quality, and are known for their durability. Except for a few minor flaws in the finishing, the leather and construction quality is excellent.
At $185, 44 Pro is one of the most incredible deals on the market and lets you design the personalized leather item you have always wanted.
Special requests, such as customized logos, are also welcome here. WPW rule #1 states that it is easier to play well if you are well-dressed.
As an alternative for those who can not afford an A2000 but still need that bespoke lifestyle, 44 Pro is worth a look. Pitchers, in particular, should consider it.
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Hello everyone. My name is Jason Butler, and I live in California, America. I was a professional AAA Minor League Baseball player. I lost my chance of playing MLB for injury issues, but I did not lose my love for baseball. I attended the coaching training program and am now working as a coach in a small school in San Diego.
I always love to share my experience and knowledge if that can help you. Play baseball, and stay fit.