Abstract: A ball glove having a plurality of generally axially oriented ridges, protruding outwardly from the frontal surface of the glove. The ridges extend from the proximal edge to the distal, peripheral edge of the glove and have protrusions formed near the finger tips. The protrusions taper gradually at their distal end and have a shoulder formed at their proximal ends. The glove has a glove-like handpiece removably attached to a shell. The shell includes a plurality of generally axially oriented, flexible, elongated ribs corresponding to the thumb and fingers of the wearer, and an elastomeric polymer skin which is more flexible than the ribs and is conformingly attached to the ribs.

Abstract: A baseball or softball glove comprising a shell having a concave, frontal, ball-receiving surface and a rear surface to which a handpiece is attached. The handpiece may be removably or permanently attached and may comprise finger receiving loops formed on the rear surface of the shell. The handpiece is preferably a tight fitting, leather or fabric glove. The preferred shell comprises a sheet-like, flexible skin of a selected flexibility attached to a structural skeleton having a lower flexibility than the skin.A plurality of raised bumps are formed on the ball-receiving surface of the shell near a palm region and around the outer perimeter. Elongated slots are formed through the shell, extending generally parallel to and between finger regions, and in a web region. Preferred lines of flexure are formed at at least one end of each slot, and are localized, thinned regions, along which the shell preferably flexes.