If you are interested in Wilson A2000 1787;
https://svcatch.blogspot.com/2018/07/glove-review-wilson-a2000-1787pattern.html
Funny thing about baseball glove leather is that,
depending on the color of the leather, their charactaristics differ quite much.
In most cases, different leather colors only mean difference, not one better than the other. But, as for some brands' leather, different colors mean different quality.
This usually occurs for cheaper gloves. Darker color is often better than the brighter color leather. It might be because to make bright colors, you have to decolor the leather before you dye it. (The leather is grey-ish color in the beginning. You can tell by looking at the edge of your baseball glove. It's often grey. If not, the leather quality is probably not the top notch)
So, to make long story short, if you are not sure about which color you want and you care about leather quality, black leather is the safe choice to be.
Different brands have different leather, so their best leather may not be black.
But Wilson's best color is without a doubt, BLACK.
This I can talk with 100% conviction,
black leather is the best among Wilson gloves.
Even for A2Ks this is for real, but for A2000s, it seems much more evident for me.
So, here's our black A2000 model.
1.Leather & lacing on the glove
Been used a lot for a few years and has significant amount of wear on it,
nonetheless the glove has no severe crack.
Yes it has some little cracks on where you put your index finger,
but still in good condition.
The leather is still moist, not dry.
Doesn't smell bad, actually has decent scent.
Has good popping sound when you play catch.
Smooth surface, yet firm and still strong, keeping good shape.
After A2000s have been produced in Vietnam,
the leather quality fluctuated a lot.
However, you can never go wrong with Wilson's black leather.
Lacing is fine too. Nice and thick.
No negative issue.
Keeping the glove together very well.
2. The Pattern
EL3 pattern comes in 11.75 inch, just like 1787.
It has longer thumb than 1787 and deeper pocket.
Also the pocket seems a bit smaller too.
EL3 is actually the signature model of Evan Longoria who used to be Tempabay Rays 3rd baseman, now playing for SanFrancisco giants.
Your job at the third base, is to be a wall.
Blazing fast balls are coming flying at you.
Securing the ball is an important part, so you are better off with deep pockets.
But if you make your glove pocket to be deep and wide at the same time,
the glove will get too big and heavy in most cases.
Thus, gloves with deeper pocket usually has narrower pocket.
As for EL3, Longoria is a third baseman, has deeper pocket than 1787.
But it's not too deep. (maybe too deep for middle infielders who care a lot about quick transfers)
It's not 12inch like Wilson DW5,
so you could say EL3 pattern is somewhere between 1787 and DW5.
For me, the thumb length is a bit bothering.
I play third base a lot, but really comfortable with EL3 pattern.
This glove was broken in to have shallow flat pocket inspired by Tulowitzki.
Used it traditional, not two in the pinky.
(Thumb to middle finger)
It works fine too, so suit yourself.
3. Webbing
Used to be the only single post (cross web) among Wilson infield gloves.
I webs are just everywhere in MLB infield.
As I posted before, I had used Wilson's I web glove for so long that I do not want to use it again anymore. Cross web was really cool looking.
It forms deeper pocket than I web, but not as deep as a H web would do.
(Weighs lighter than H webs though)
Just like I web, you need to keep good care of the webbing laces.
Especially if you play third base and field a lot of heaters,
the ball may go right through the glove.
This is no joke, it really happens.
And sometimes ball would just get stuck in the web.
Good looking, flexible, light weight web,
but needs some attention and effort to maintain it.
6. Scores
Leather 3.5/5
Pattern 2.0/5
Colors 1/5
Satisfaction 2/5
Looks & Feel 2/5
Overall 2.5/5
Good durable leather, simple design.
But doesn't catch my eyes much.
But doesn't catch my eyes much.
Good quality for its price though.
Recommended for 3rd base
