D-backs participate in Glove Day
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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Christmas came early for a group of D-backs players on Tuesday morning with the arrival of the Wilson representatives, who delivered their yearly order of fielding gloves.
"This is the same glove I've been using for many years now. I just like the smaller glove for the infield," said Nick Ahmed, a slick fielding shortstop who's coming off 2016 season-ending surgery on his right hip. "I tried the bigger glove, and I just didn't like it as much. I love the I-Web. The tan leather seems to hold up better. It's sturdier. This is the glove I've been going with, and I hope it keeps working for me."
Aside from Ahmed, David Peralta, Patrick Corbin, Jared Miller and Jeremy Hazelbaker had wide smiles on their faces as they were presented their cache of gloves in the corridor outside the D-backs clubhouse.
Hazelbaker, an outfielder in camp, was playing around with a white glove in front of his cubicle.
"It's my play glove," Hazelbaker said. "It's a little bit small. I'm just going to have some fun with it."
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It was a welcome respite on a rainy, early morning at the Salt River Fields training complex, before a portion of the club left to play its Cactus League game against the Rangers at Surprise Stadium.
Corbin, the left-hander who's still trying to overcome the aftermath of Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss the entire 2014 season and part of '15, threw two strong innings against the Reds on Monday.
Corbin is also a creature of habit, using the same model glove, but this year with a twist.
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"We added the teal model this year," Corbin said. "I have a bunch of black and red ones at home, so I was just going for a different look."
Peralta is a former pitcher who converted to an outfielder. He had three stints on the disabled list last season, and didn't play a game after Aug. 5 because of surgery on his right wrist.
Peralta creates his own glove.
"It takes a lot of dedication to design your own glove," Peralta said. "But you always have to go for the best. Your glove is like your tool. You have to be comfortable with what you're wearing in the outfield so you can go after the ball."