A Guide to the Best of Southern California : RITUALS : Fielder’s Choice

When the Boys of Summer need a spare or a repair, they call Ben Brucker. With the help of nine workers, he doctors torn or cracked gloves for the Dodgers, Angels, Padres and other major leaguers in his Los Angeles shop. But the 37-year veteran is never too busy for sandlot bench-warmers. Any player can take in a battered glove--any make or model--for a new lining ($12.50 to $60), restringing ($12.50) or reconditioning ($6). Brucker makes the mends between movie deals: He re-creates the gloves of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson and other heavy-hitters for use as props in films like “Field of Dreams.”

Brucker Glove Co., 6949 La Tijera Blvd., Los Angeles; (213) 776-1340.