For the Love of the Game
How Matthew Alleva Built Patriot Glove Company From Scratch…
Matthew Alleva has a habit of turning his hobbies into thriving businesses. When he moved to Cottonwood 18 years ago, he found his passion fishing the lakes and rivers and hunting the wild terrain of the North State. He turned that hobby into a successful fishing and hunting guide business.
Six years ago, Alleva did it again, this time turning his love for baseball into the Patriot Glove Company. “When I find something I love, it’s all I want to do,” Alleva said. The family-run, Cottonwood-based business is making waves in the sporting goods industry. What started in 2019 as a passion project has evolved into a thriving business, supplying high-quality baseball gloves, maple bats and a wide range of gear to teams and players around the world.
The story of the Patriot Glove Company is one of ingenuity and curiosity. Alleva, a lifelong baseball fan, first started collecting baseball gloves. “I’d buy used gloves from professional players. I’d find unique, high-end gloves. I was fascinated by the craftsmanship behind the gloves. But they were expensive. So, I thought to myself, ‘Shoot, it can’t be that difficult to make a glove.’ And there, the whole thing just took off.”
That simple thought sparked an idea, which quickly turned into a full-fledged business. Goodbye, fishing and hunting guide. Hello, global baseball equipment manufacturer.
Year by year, the business grew. First it was just a glove business. Then Alleva bought a second-hand lathe and taught himself how to shape bats out of maple wood. He has added batting gloves, clothing, accessories, bat bags and fan gear. All products are custom made to the client’s exact specifications.
“Our team of nine employees work with individual players, youth leagues, high schools, colleges and some professional-level teams, not just here in the North State area, but all over the world.”
The company’s rapid growth led them to open a second warehouse seven months ago. “We’re bursting at the seams, so to speak,” Alleva said.
Despite its global success, Patriot Glove Company remains firmly rooted in our local community. “We do a lot of business in the region,” he said. “But we donate more than we make on the local level. We donate to local schools and youth leagues and stuff like that. We love living in Cottonwood and we feel fortunate to be in a position to help others.”
At its core, Patriot Glove Company is truly a family business. Ashley Alleva, Matthew’s wife, serves as the company’s CFO while also wearing many other hats. Their three children – a 17-year-old son, an 11-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old son – are all baseball or softball enthusiasts. The two older kids even help out in the shop, learning the trade from their father.
“If I’m not in the shop making products, you might see me at a baseball tournament or game somewhere,” he said. “My wife and I will pack the kids and some gear in the car and drive a few hours to attend a game and give away products to young kids. We make a spectacle of it. We make it fun. We’re truly invested in our products and our community.”
Patriot Glove Company’s commitment to quality and community sets it apart in the competitive world of sporting goods. Each glove and bat is crafted with precision, ensuring that players – from Little League to the pros – receive a product they can trust. And with a business built on a foundation of love for the game, it’s no surprise that Patriot Glove Company continues to thrive.
“Over the years, we keep refining our technique and improve the materials,” he said. “But really, the method is the same: Individually made and tailored to the customers’ wants and needs. I know how important a glove is to a baseball player at any age or level. I’m not about to screw that up.”•
Patriot Glove Company
www.patriotglovecompany.com
Find them on YouTube
