One might be tempted to label the Akadema AXX21 a “progressive” glove, given its attempts to redefine the outfielder’s mitt. After all, you’d never catch, say, Pat Buchanan tracking down flies with something black as tar and boasting a 3-finger stall and a doubleflex hinge.
In fact, it is this very kind of position-specific micromanagement and insistence on deviating from traditional glove design that would tend, in the mind of the casual observer, to mark the Reptilian Claw as a trendy radical—an unholy contraption born of Darwinian evolution married to soft, promiscuous steerhide.
But if one brackets the superficial political trappings of the AXX21, it is easy to see that the design is not some crazed departure from traditional conservative outfielders’ gloves, but is instead a free-market gamble based on years of demographic study and professional input. The 3-finger stall, which accounts for the middle finger through the pinkie and is much wider than the finger stall on any other professional glove on the market, provides increased lateral stability and, along with the Doubleflexed Hingeâ„¢, creates in the pocket easier collapse points. Meaning that outfielders no longer have to forge an artificial hinge in the thumb area in the name of glove-design equality. Similarly, the finger spread creates a kind of funnel effect for scooping up balls on the ground, allowing for quick and centered ball retrieval.
The all black color scheme will likely be offputting to many paleoconservatives; and traditional conservatives will treat the newfangled design with suspicion—at least until it proves itself viable over years of game play. At the same time, though, progressives will decry it’s attempts to improve performance on an individual level—and so will find its rogue blackness worthy of vociferous condemnation. In fact, it is likely progressives will come to view the AXX21 as an “inauthentic” outfielders’ mitt, one worthy of shunning.
Making the Akadema Reptilian Claw 12.75” the perfect classically liberal glove: concerned with improvements born naturally from trial and error and aimed at promoting individual achievement, the AXX21 is content to live or die in the free market based on its efficacy.
Plus, it would never abandon its promise to protect other free gloves from those who would return us to the days of puffy, three-stumped “mitts” and force us to go entirely without batting gloves or wrist bands or the split-fingered fastball.
*****
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So, which one is it—the Akadema or Glovesmith Elite?
At least you’re not getting a 13” Griffey model—anything longer than 12.75” is a waste.
I happened to stop at a local sporting goods store the other day and a plain tan infielder’s glove from Rawlings was $99.00. I about crapped my pants. Pretty glove, though.
The Glovesmith Elite is made better, I think, but it will take a while to work into game shape.
And I admit I really do like the wide finger stall on the Akadema. But it will take a little getting used to. The ball really does stick in the pocket, though.
This is a good thing, unless you are one of those people who are used to feeling the ball in your glove. In which case it is a little offputting.
We’ll see what happens with both as the leather gets more supple.
I’ve been breaking them in on a pitchback net. So it’s taking longer than it might were I playing catch with somebody everyday.
Might review the Rawlings pro-preferred next. Retails for $549, Robert.
Wrap your mind around that.
You got both gloves—blogging has been verry, verry good for you!
Well, not really, no. I’ve just put my son on an all Mac-and-cheese / ramen diet.
Had my equipment bag stolen a while back, so I’ve had to replace all my gloves, bats, etc.
Suddenly, when I wasn’t looking, a bat went from being $15 to $399, and well-made gloves now go from $60-$299 (though they retail for more than twice that much). My last glove? A Wilson. RON GUIDRY model.
Jeff – you really need to develop contacts within the sporting goods industry. While I’m sure those gloves and bats may be worth the prices you’re quoting, I can’t help but be reminded of an entry on the Yiddish/English dictionary/placemat at Sammie’s Romanian Restaurant on the Lower Eastside:
“Goy – One who pays retail.”
I still have the old first baseman’s mitt – a “Johnny Walker”, with a red label, no less.
I still remember my old man cracking up over that one…
Ahhh Goldstein, I was going to excoriate you viciously for playing any position other than first base with a glove that sounds like those two but when you said your last glove was a RON GUIDRY, sigh, my sympatico meter twitched dead red. Best all around glove ever. EVER.
It was. I miss it terribly. Played with it for over twenty years.
I’m still using my 11.25” Ozzie Smith Rawlings.
Anybody ever use Mt Rushmore bats? I’m thinking about trying a Lincoln and a Borglum (I switch it and like a thin handle and bigger barrel from the left side).
Jeff,
I usually pick up whatever’s left at Wal-mart come July. I picked up an Easton there for under $50 on clearance (an INSANE deal) and I like it a lot better than the Slugger TPX the grandparents bought the oldest kid.
Wood, I always go for d-bats because they’re cheap and the kids leave ‘em out in the rain. But they are typically soft to my taste.
I really like this glove. I’ve been using my Academa AXX21 for about a month now, and it’s finally broken in. I had no trouble at all adjusting to the triple finger slot. It’s not that different, really, and is hardly revolutionary. What it does is position your fingers father away from your thumb and at a greater angle from the thumb so that you get a really good squeeze between your thumb and opposing fingers. Guess that’s why they call it a “claw”, which is a good way to describe it. It’s not really that different from a tradional slot glove, and it feels a lot like a first baseman’s mit to me. All of the “revolutionary” hype aside, I just think it is a good quality and great feeling glove. Very well made, quality leather and reasonably priced. Mine cost around $124, with no shipping charge. It’s every bit as good as a $300 Rawlings “pro” quality in my opinion. It’s a good looking glove too. Regarding the “Reptilian” scales that supposedly grip the ball, mine was as smooth as a baby’s behind, so I don’t know where they got that. Sounds like a gimmick to me. The grip on the ball comes from a good pocket, and on this glove, the pocket is nice and deep, just like a good outfielder’s glove should be. All in all, I am very happy with this glove, and it has easily become my favorite. Excellent value and quality. Akadema seems like a good company that is poised to give the big boys a run for their money. Thanks for your review…one of the only ones that I’ve seen on the web. I ordered mine before I saw your review, and it would have been nice to read one before I bought this glove, but still nice nonetheless to have affirmation that this is indeed a pretty darn nice glove. How about reviewing an Akadema bat, preferably a fungo, which I’m in the market for?
Sorry, John. Don’t have a Akadema fungo to review.
But soon I’ll be reviewing a Rushmore maple bat—can’t remember the model name of the top of my head, but it’s the one with the thinnest handle and large barrel—if you’re interested. I’ll be comparing it with a Louisville Slugger pro maple.
The Akadema company makes far more superior gloves than anyone. Glovesmith gloves have no real shape or form. I used to like Glovesmith because they were made in USA..not anymore. I see Akadema is now making gloves in US, I will be those models.
sometimes the fit on my baseball glove is not very good ;:`
my baseball glove really fits well on my small hands, i don’t know what brand is it::’