Crossed Signs
That sudden strain in this mom's eyes had me first wondering if I had crossed a line.
Nike - AirShow - Elite
If maybe it was none of my business whose interest was being best served by her husband fielding my questions via text without conferring with their teen son. But then I realized that look was distinctly separate from any reticence. That maybe I had struck a chord that resonated far deeper with her than not. And on levels well beyond this game that I most certainly did not intend to strike. Picking up on that, I didn't press further.
You see, laces are more akin to strings of an instrument than most are aware. Tuning any piece to the style of play or preference of the player entails boggling variables of finesse and nuance even well before the actual lacing and tuning begins. A lot of answers to these questions are inherent in how the piece has been broken in, but even then, one can't rely on that being a match to what the player prefers being as though they had no say in it to begin with. They just used what they got off the shelf and they went with it because it's what they had. The only way to find out what they actually need is through a line of questioning concerning style of play, physiological aspects of hand mechanics (the most overlooked aspect in choosing a glove) and the degrees of confidence in comfort when carrying that style of play out. Without that, it's pretty much a blind process that, at best, will give them the same instrument they began with.
The mother was the point of contact -both times noticeably spread thin- hurriedly relaying my queries by text to her husband who would respond with the very curt, speed of lightning. And, seemingly as arbitrary. I'd like to think this kid was actually the Capo of the family. That he was receiving these queries on the spot, but due to the nature of his role, the 'Family' he was in charge of was best served if he wasn't in any evidentiary loop. That the unspoken line I had 'crossed' maybe had more to do with Costa Nostra than what I was picking up on.
This mitt received my standard service with a few included upgrades. Deep clean and conditioning with Ballplayers Balm products brought the leather back in great fashion. Used Flatbill Company ‘Indian Tan’ laces and appropriately skived in palm areas. Upgraded web to quarter inch and prestressed in order to follow that neat slant pattern at outside base. Changed X-pattern in midweb to I-Bar... which is a pro-mod and... generally something the player themselves should make the call on because it will certainly effect style of play. Have seen a few of these Nike AirShow's in the past, and must say they're far better constructed than one might expect. Internals looked great even though they weren't bound by string. Plastic stays weren't properly anchored by lace so I took care of that and it's far better off than it began in keeping form. Extracted palm adhesive and used a bit of GluvLuv oven-heated glove grease in its place. Super solid piece now and am left to only hope it suits this kid well.
I-Bar style relace is quite a bit tighter than I’d normally allow, but that’s part of the problem with not being able to consult directly with player. Figured it’s best to begin super snug and stretch by gameplay than to begin extended beyond comfort zone.
All’s I’ll say is this: The fastest way to discourage any youth from any venture is by not giving merit to their voice. No matter how young they are. It's their venture, after all. And they won't hesitate to find another in which they can call their own.