The gloves come with history. They show up at Chris Petroff’s home in suburban Phoenix, a few deliveries per day, UPS, FedEx and regular mail. He will learn the biography of each one.
Petroff can figure out whether a glove was broken in properly. He knows if a player is catching the ball in the pocket consistently or if he struggles with it popping out. If a pitcher has been using any sticky, grip-improving substances, Petroff can tell. A glove that was forgotten in the rain will be obvious, and one that was left in a truck bed to swelter under direct sun will be, too.
