What makes Heart of the Hide different
Heart of the Hide leather
Rawlings pulls the top 5% of US steer hides for this line. The leather is dense and firm, so the glove keeps its pocket for years instead of going soft after a season. It takes longer to break in than a softer glove, and that is the point.
Palm lining and padding
The palm is lined with deer-tanned cowhide (Rawlings calls it Deertanned Cowhide Plus on some models), which is softer against the hand than the shell leather and helps the glove close. Wool blend padding sits behind it, and the thumb gets a padded sleeve. Some patterns add a thermoformed wrist liner for a locked-in fit.
Pro patterns and webs
Every Heart of the Hide pattern comes from Rawlings' advisory players. The 200 and 205 are trusted infield shapes, the 217 gives middle infielders a deep pocket, the 234 with Pro I web is built for fast transfers, and the 3039 and 3319 are outfield patterns. Webs range from the shallow Pro I to the deep Modified Trap-Eze and Single Post Double Bar on the first base mitts.
ContoUR fit
ContoUR models use slimmer, lowered finger stalls and a tighter hand opening for players with smaller hands who still want a full pro-grade glove. The 234U is the common one here.
Tennessee Tanning rawhide laces
Heart of the Hide gloves are laced with Tennessee Tanning rawhide, thicker and more durable than entry-level lacing.
Which Heart of the Hide should you buy
- Middle infield – 11.5" to 11.75" – 200, 217, 234, 314 or 934 pattern with a Pro I or single post web – shortstops and second basemen who want a quick transfer.
- Third base and utility – 12" to 12.25" – 206 Traditional or KB17 Kris Bryant pattern – players who move around the infield or want a deeper pocket.
- Outfield – 12.75" – 3039 or 3319 pattern with a Pro H web – outfielders who want reach and a deep pocket.
- First base – 12.5" baseball or 13" fastpitch – single post double bar web – scooping low throws.
- Fastpitch – 12.5" and 12.75" softball patterns – built for the larger ball.
- Slowpitch – 13" and 14" – Pro H web with Zero Shock palm padding and pull-strap closure – adult softball.
- Smaller hands – ContoUR fit 11.5" – a pro glove that closes for a smaller hand.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Heart of the Hide take to break in? Longer than a softer glove. The steerhide is firm on purpose, and Rawlings says the fastpitch first base mitt peaks after 150 to 200 games. Plan on a few weeks of catch before it is game-ready, and skip the oven and the microwave.
What is the difference between Heart of the Hide and Pro Preferred? Same patterns, different leather. Heart of the Hide is US steerhide with a firm feel and the widest choice of patterns and webs. Pro Preferred uses kip leather with a sheepskin palm lining, which is lighter and faster to break in, and it costs about $100 more.
What is the Gold Glove Club? A Rawlings monthly release of a Heart of the Hide glove in a one-time colorway. Each one is right-hand throw only; the newest release lists at $329.99 and older months are marked down. See the Gold Glove Club collection for what is in stock.
Do these come in left-hand throw? Most of the standard baseball, fastpitch and slowpitch models do. Gold Glove Club releases and a few limited colorways are right-hand throw only, so check the hand option on the product page.
What web should I pick? Infielders usually want a Pro I or single post web for a shallow pocket and quick transfer. Third basemen and outfielders lean toward Pro H or Trap-Eze for a deeper, more secure pocket. Pitchers like a closed or basket web to hide the grip.
What is the warranty? Rawlings backs the slowpitch and first base models listed here with a one-year manufacturer warranty. Warranty claims on any Rawlings glove go through Rawlings; keep your CheapBats order confirmation as proof of purchase.
