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When a player considers a baseball or softball glove, you’d assume Wilson or Rawlings would be crossing his or her mind. Right? But how about a Rundown mitt? Ever contemplate that brand? Rundown Gloves is a Del Rio, Texas startup that began offering quality gloves in November of 2017. And it has been hitting dingers ever since. Rundown owner, Jose Luis Rivera, said they have sold nearly 200 units since inception. They offer infielder, outfielder first-base, catcher, softball and kids gloves. The sizes span from nine to 15 inches. All of the gloves are made from 100-percent cowhide leather and manufactured in Mexico. Yet, what’s really cool about Rundown gloves is that customers can design their own glove. We’re talking name, jersey number and colors. “Have their name, have their flags...have the colors that they want,” Rivera said. Currently, customers provide Rundown sales representatives with their design request, which is then submitted to Rivera and sent to Mexico. He said the process will be streamlined once their website is fully developed. Customers will then be able to create their glove online, bypassing the sales reps. Rivera said the turnaround from order placement to delivery of the glove is a two-week window. However, he usually tells the buyer that it’s a three-week period in case of shipping delays. “Most companies will get you the glove between six to eight weeks. We get gloves done in less than two weeks,” he commented.
Rivera’s initial goal was to develop a line of wood bats, but he quickly realized that was a very complicated undertaking. Then the idea of customized gloves was born, albeit as more of a side interest. However, positive feedback from major league and minor league players, and customers in general, induced Rivera to think about it differently. “It was a hobby, but it’s becoming more serious...we never thought we were going to be that big,” he said. Rivera, originally from Puerto Rico, grew up in a baseball family and eventually ended up playing college ball at Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas, followed by a stint in professional baseball. After the side was retired on his competitive days, he decided to plant his entrepreneurial stake in Del Rio (his wife is from here). His strong ties to baseball have allowed a variety of doors to open. “My family is all baseball so we know a lot of baseball players...and a lot of coaches,” Rivera said. Rundown has representatives in San Antonio, Puerto Rico, New York, South Carolina, Florida and Oklahoma; California is next. Besides the glove company, Rundown is also very involved in the Del Rio community. They sponsor and coordinate an annual baseball/softball camp, a yearly baseball clinic that utilizes professional players as instructors and a Del Rio celebrity softball tournament that occurs on the same day as the clinic. The ultimate game plan is to have a line of practical apparel and accessories such as shirts, shorts, shoes, batting gloves and cleats. But in the here and now, it’s the gloves. And customers are loving it. “A lot of people like it, a lot of people loving it...I haven’t had any complaints yet and I haven’t had anybody return it yet.” www.facebook.com/Rundowngloves |
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