Rawlings Goes for a Home Run with New 3D-printed Baseball Gloves

3D printing has evolved tremendously since the 1980s, and its applications have too. From manufacturing to hobbyist builds, 3D printing is now used in various ways to create, repair, or improve a plethora of items — even baseball gloves.

Sporting goods manufacturer Rawlings has joined forces with two external partnersto develop 3D printed gloves for professional baseball players. Known as the “REV1X” series, the gloves are designed to “add stiffness in the regions where it is necessary and soften regions where a certain flexure is required,” according to TCT Magazine. But where did this need stem from?

Why 3D-Print Baseball Gloves?

While the traditional leather baseball glove has been used for decades, professional players frequently cite that their thumb and pinky pads tend to break down and become floppy over time, which can create issues with catching batted balls exceeding velocities of 100 miles per hour. This disintegration with time can also increase the risk of injury in the hand, especially when players attempt to catch high-speed baseballs.

The REV1X glove seeks to address all of these concerns, providing players with longer-lasting thumb and pinky pads, while expediting the manufacturing process of such products.

The pads have a unique lattice pattern — made with a flexible polyurethane — that strengthens and helps them last longer. Additionally, the foams and plastics that are found in traditional baseball gloves are replaced by lightweight materials that can be easily molded to fit hands of all sizes. Finally, thanks to 3D printing technology, these gloves can be mass produced in a short span of time.

3D printing is already rapidly changing the world, but it seems to be changing America’s pastime just as fast. Soon, players — both professional and beginners alike — may expect to see other 3D printed gear, including helmets and various pieces of safety equipment.