Noah’s glove, Noah’s moment

In 2026, Wilson Sporting Goods will debut a baseball glove unlike any in its history. Created as part of the Love the Moment™ campaign with Autism Speaks, the glove was designed by and for Noah Cobbs, a 26-year-old autistic man from Iowa with significant support needs. It’s bold, green—his favorite color—and filled with details that reflect his unique way of seeing the world.

The project is the latest step in a mission for Wilson that began with a simple question: "What else can we do?" Michael Markovich, Global Commercial Director for Wilson Baseball/Softball, notes that the brand’s commitment to the community deepened after collaborating with a high school student on the spectrum to design a first base mitt. That experience inspired Wilson to "continue to engage people on the spectrum in all aspects of what we do, “Markovich says, ensuring they see "examples of people like them doing anything and everything imaginable. "When Wilson looked for their next collaborator, Autism Speaks recommended Noah.

Noah lives in Sioux City with his parents, Josh and Tina, his brother, Ethan, and sister, Sydney. He thrives on family time, laughs at SpongeBob and Scooby-Doo, and enjoys weekly grocery trips after his Miracle League baseball games. But baseball wasn’t always easy.

It’s hard to have a bad day on the field. Everyone cheers and celebrates each other.

“When he was younger, we tried baseball, but he didn’t enjoy it,” recalls Josh, Autism Speaks’ Director of Employment Initiatives. “Now that he’s older, he appreciates being around his peers, and the two-inning Miracle League games are just the right length.”

Over the past two years, Noah has grown on the field, moving from a tee to hitting live pitches and patrolling the outfield. “It’s hard to have a bad day on the field,” Josh says. “Everyone cheers and celebrates each other.”

What makes Noah’s journey even more remarkable is that he has significant support needs and requires round-the-clock care. Daily life for Noah and his family is filled with routines, guidance, and hands-on assistance. Yet baseball has become one of the few spaces where he feels independent and celebrated on his own terms.

That spirit of inclusion sparked the invitation to design his own glove. At first, his parents weren’t sure how engaged he’d be, but the project quickly became a family affair. Working with Ryan Smith, Wilson Baseball’s Senior Designer, they first tried the online glove builder, but it wasn’t Noah’s style. So, they printed out options and let him mark his favorites.

Smith noted that the collaboration was a true team effort, with Josh acting as the bridge for Noah’s vision. “Noah used the Autism Speaks Gradient Supersnakeskin for the back fingers as he really liked that look,” Smith says. “Also his favorite color is green so he made sure that was a key component of the glove.” Smith was impressed by the final product, noting that “Noah did a fantastic job with this assignment.”

“Almost every selection had green in it,” Josh laughs. “His room is green! Green is definitely Noah’s color.”

The finished glove reflects Noah’s personality and his family’s collaboration. “This glove couldn’t be made without the participation of everyone in the family,” Josh reflects. For the Cobbs family, the glove carries a powerful message: sports and life are for everyone. “When Noah plays baseball, we think he feels independent, safe, and valued. That’s what this glove is about,” Josh says.

Wilson’s partnership with Autism Speaks goes beyond gear; it’s about validating the worth of individuals like Noah and the families who support them. This special glove will carry more than stitches, leather, and the unmistakable Wilson design. It will carry a story of resilience, collaboration, and the extraordinary love that helps Noah thrive.