Charlie Rose Baseball, San Jose

In 1958, Charlie Rose opened his shop, aiming to become an equipment resource for baseball and softball coaches and players. The shop’s array of bats, gloves, and apparel equip players for the game with a variety of brands including Rawlings, Louisville Slugger, and Mizuno. Cutter C-Tack Endurance batting gloves create a nonslip grip and help protect hands from scorching line drives and hot potatoes. In honor of Charlie’s gift for repairing gloves, the shop offers clients a free lifetime conditioning program that ensures each glove outlasts an indefinite number of hard pitches.

The facility also houses four outdoor batting cages and three fast-pitch softball cages, which prepare batters for high-speed play and give them a chance to test out their new gear. Inside a fourth softball cage, a slow machine lobs easier pitches toward the plate. Patrons can visit during the day or at night to practice their swing under the glow of the facility's nighttime lighting.