Rawlings Heart of the Hide Fastpitch Softball Glove

The Rawlings Heart of the Hide is the glove line that defines what elite leather feels like. Used by professional players and trusted by Rawlings' advisory colleges and universities to develop the game's next generation of athletes, the Heart of the Hide represents the top of Rawlings' leather hierarchy. The 12-inch infield fastpitch edition brings that standard to the softball diamond in a pattern built specifically for the demands of infield play at the high school, college, and adult competitive levels.

Heart of the Hide leather is ultra-premium steerhide, a thick, dense hide that holds its shape through a full season of ground balls, throws, and repetitive use without softening or losing its pocket structure. The break-in process with HOH leather is longer and more intentional than with lower-grade hides, but the result is a glove that shapes to the individual player's hand over time and maintains that shape for years. At a player break-in rating of 20, this glove sits in the moderate range - stiffer than a pre-softened or treated leather, but responsive enough to begin developing a pocket with regular practice before it becomes a fully game-ready gamer. The shell leather palm lining adds a layer of natural feel to the interior that synthetic linings do not replicate, contributing to the feedback and grip that high-level players expect from a glove at this tier.

The split single post web is the position-specific choice for the infield: the web design creates an open-enough structure to allow flex and feel during catches while maintaining enough backbone to provide pocket stability on grounders hit with pace. The 12-inch size is ideal for the fastpitch infield at the adult level, providing the reach needed to handle balls hit in either direction while staying compact enough for quick, clean transfers to the throwing hand on double play attempts. A padded thumb sleeve reduces sting on the thumb side of hard-hit balls, and an adjustable pull strap at the back of the wrist allows each player to dial in the fit precisely rather than accepting a fixed wrist opening.

Features

• Heart of the Hide steerhide leather shell - Rawlings' ultra-premium leather used by their top professional and collegiate advisory players
• Quality Full-Grain leather construction for long-term durability and a pocket that shapes and retains its form with use
• Split Single Post web provides the flex and feel for infield catches with the structure needed for pocket stability on hard-hit grounders
• 12-inch infield pattern gives adult fastpitch infielders the right reach and compact profile for quick transfers
• Shell leather palm lining for natural feel and feedback through the interior of the glove
• Padded thumb sleeve reduces sting on the thumb side of hard-contact catches
• Adjustable pull strap back for a customizable, snug wrist fit
• Player break-in: 20 - moderate break-in that builds a durable, personalized pocket over time
• Designed for Pro/College, High School, and 14U competitive fastpitch play
• Sport: Fastpitch Softball / Position: Infield

Specifications

Q&A

Q: What makes Heart of the Hide leather different from standard glove leather?
Heart of the Hide is Rawlings' top-tier steerhide leather, sourced and graded to a quality standard above what is used in their mid-range or entry-level gloves. It is a denser, thicker hide that provides better structural integrity and shape retention over time than lower-grade leathers. The trade-off is a longer break-in process - HOH leather requires more conditioning work before it reaches its best pocket shape - but the result is a glove that continues to perform and improve with years of regular use rather than wearing out or going soft prematurely.

Q: What is a split single post web and why is it preferred for infield play?
A split single post web features a central post that splits into two at the top, creating an open section in the web that allows for flex and visibility while catching. For infielders, the split single post provides the feel and flexibility to secure ground balls quickly while the split construction allows the web to move naturally with the glove closure. It strikes a balance between the open, airy feel of H-web designs and the structured stability of a closed web.

Q: What does a break-in rating of 20 mean for this glove?
Rawlings uses a break-in scale where higher numbers indicate more pre-softening from the factory and a softer initial feel. A rating of 20 means this glove leaves the factory relatively firm - it will need conditioning work with glove oil and repeated use before it reaches its optimal pocket shape. For Heart of the Hide leather, this is by design: the stiffness of the unbroken leather is part of what allows it to shape specifically to the player's hand and maintain that shape over time. Players who prefer a gamer they can use immediately may find the break-in demanding; players willing to invest the time will be rewarded with a precisely shaped, long-lasting glove.

Q: Is this glove appropriate for high school and college fastpitch play?
Yes. The Heart of the Hide 12-inch infield fastpitch glove is designed for Pro/College, High School, and 14U competitive levels. The 12-inch infield pattern and split single post web are well suited to the shortstop, second base, and third base demands of high school and college fastpitch, where game speed, throw velocity, and the need for quick transfers are all higher than at recreational or youth levels.