Meet the Minds Behind Baseball’s Iconic Equipment
A GLOVE, BAT, AND BALL TRANSFORMED BASEBALL FOREVER
Baseball may be America’s pastime, but it didn’t appear out of thin air. The game we know and love today is a patchwork of early stick-and-ball games, tracing back centuries to England’s cricket and even as far back as ancient civilizations like the Mayans and Egyptians. But modern baseball started taking shape in 19th-century New York. Enter the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club, which set the foundation in 1846 with official rules that included base paths, foul lines, and, mercifully , the elimination of tagging runners out by hurling the ball at them. Of course, baseball wouldn’t be what it is today without the brilliant minds who revolutionized its equipment . Three inventors, George Rawlings, John Hillerich, and Benjamin Shibe, took baseball’s core components and transformed them into game-changers. George Rawlings was the first to look at a player’s bruised and battered hands and think, “There’s got to be a better way.” As a sporting goods store owner, Rawlings designed a padded baseball glove, patenting it in 1885. With added felt and rubber padding, his glove gave players much-needed protection while fielding fast-moving balls. Today, Rawlings’ baseball gloves are as essential to the game as the bases themselves. Then there’s John Hillerich, a German immigrant and skilled woodworker who ran a shop in Louisville, Kentucky. His game-changing moment came
when his baseball-loving son needed a better bat. Hillerich’s new design had a harder surface to help players drive the ball farther, and in 1902, the famous Louisville Slugger was patented. More than a century later, the bat remains one of the most iconic pieces of baseball equipment, wielded by legends past and present. And finally, Benjamin Shibe, the “Edison of baseball.” Before Shibe, baseballs lacked the durability needed for a high-powered sport. In 1909, he patented the cork-centered baseball, a tougher, more resilient ball that allowed for stronger, farther hits. His creation became the official ball of Major League Baseball in 1911, forever altering how the game was played.
These three inventors helped shape baseball into the thrilling sport it is today. Next time you watch a game, remember that every leaping grab at the warning track, every solidly hit line drive,
and every soaring home run snagged by an enthusiastic fan are built on a legacy of innovation.
A Medley of Summer Moments to Come ZEN AND ZOOM
Back in 2008, I was well into my career as an attorney and gaining weight from spending too many hours in the office. That summer, I went to the beach and … well … let’s just say it dawned on me that it was time to get back into shape. I chose running as my most consistent way to burn calories and stay fit, and I’ve enjoyed it ever since. Although I usually run 3–5 miles in a usual jaunt, I’ve run in a couple of half-marathons over the years, including one in Charlottesville in 2022. Running is an interest my daughter, Sarah Ann, shares, and she will participate in a marathon in Scottsdale, Arizona, this November and has qualified to run in the Boston Marathon next year. Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank my son, Andrew, who got me into hiking when I’d accompany him on his Boy Scout activities years ago. I still find contentment hitting the trails, which I plan to do a lot of this season, along with fishing.
When not moving forward on my feet this summer, I’ll be tending to the nature springing to life in my backyard. Although my grandparents’ gorgeous gardens always impressed me growing up, I didn’t take up the hobby until my wife, Tricia, and I purchased our first home in 1998. In 2022, we completely renovated the backyard at our current property, which allowed me to expand my garden and incorporate a Japanese theme to add an uncommon touch. As you can tell, I try my best to make the most of the summer months, and I hope you get the chance to do the same this time around. I hope the season ahead treats you well — and, if you have any special summer fitness routines or traditions, I’d love to hear about them! –Kevin Mottley
My family on Kiawah Island, SC, last summer
Considering the twists and turns of the most recent winter, I know I’m not alone in my excitement for summer’s arrival. In fact, summer and fall are my favorite times of the year, especially since I’m a real wimp when it comes to the cold. I enjoy being outside and taking advantage of the nice weather to help me stay in great shape physically and mentally, but it wasn’t always this way.
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