Nokona: The Last Stand for American-Made Baseball Gloves

Baseball has been called "America's Pastime" since the 1860s. Legends like Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron & Mickey Mantle are a major part of the American Story. In short, to steal a line from James Earl Jones' character in Field of Dreams - "The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It's been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time." Baseball is as American as anything else you can point to.

However, for one reason or another, a lot of companies involved in America's game have moved their operations out of America. Rawlings largely produces their baseballs and gloves in the Philippines & Costa Rica. Wilson products are predominately made in Japan. Marucci, which started in Baton Rouge, still makes some of their products in America but many are now produced in China.

A lot of the "old school" pillars of America's game have moved out of America. With the exception of one - Nokona Athletic Goods Company produced in Nocona, Texas.

Texas Pride: Nokona Keeps Glove Making Alive in the USA

As noted above, most if not all equipment made for America's Pastime is produced outside of the borders of America - with the exception of one: Nokona Athletic Goods made in Nocona, Texas.

The company, established in 1926, have been producing high quality leather goods for 99 years now. Originally, the company just produced wallets, belts and other goods. But, once Bob Storey, a former Rice Baseball player, took over operations in 1932, Nokona moved into the Sporting Goods world. When most companies began moving their production abroad to save money, Bob was famously quoted as saying he would rather quit and go fishing than closeup his factory and put people out of work.

In fact, 99 years later, the Sorey family is still highly involved with Nokona - with one grandson still serving as Executive Vice-President for the company. And, 99 years later, Nokona continues to use American Materials and produce the product in America.

Over the years, Nokona has been the preferred equipment provider for several Hall of Famers and All-Star players ranging from Nolan Ryan to Todd Walker to Miguel Cabrera. There are several active players who still use and endorse Nokona equipment including Taylor Ward & Ryan Pressly.

Tour The Nokona Plant in Nocona, Texas

Again, everything from Nokona is made and produced in Nocona, Texas - which is located about 90-ish miles north of Dallas. They have retail store & museum that's open to the public Monday-Saturday.

They also schedule tours of the factory on Mondays & Fridays at 10:30 am & 1:30 pm. You can get more details on the tours here.

If you're feeling extra fancy and have $3400 to spend, you can get the 2 day Ultimate Nokona experience for you and a guest. When I say this thing is awesome and fully immersive, I mean it. Here's what $3400 gets you over 2 days:

A carefully-curated, immersive ballglove experience for any baseball enthusiast. Visit the Nokona Ballglove Factory in Nocona, Texas for this personalized two-day event, where you will learn all about the ballglove-making process, design your custom Nokona, and participate in building the glove you will take home with you!

Day 1

• Welcome and Nokona swag!
• Private Tour of Nokona Museum and Factory
• Leather 101– Learn about Nokona’s legendary leathers
• In-Depth Factory Visit with Hands-On Experience at Production Stations
• Design Your Custom Glove with Expert Advice – Select Your Materials
  • Nokona Insider: One-on-One with Rob Storey, EVP of Nokona – Nokona history, anecdotes, and the world of American-made ballgloves
• Evening Excursion & Dinner

Day 2

• Build Your Custom Nokona
• Cutting, embroidery, stitching, turning, lacing, shaping, laser engraving, shaping how to care and maintain your glove
• Glove Care 101
• Custom Glove Presentation
• Luxury Nokona Leather Goods parting gifts, as well as a Nokona Glove Care Kit & a specialized 1-year Glove Care Package

Maybe that's a bit much...but even without the "ultimate package", Nokona is probably worth a trip for any baseball fan.