How to Choose a Baseball Glove

Rawlings Gloves laying on the baseball field

No matter the level of competition, having confidence when stepping out onto the baseball field is key. With the right size of baseball glove , you're able to non only increase your confidence but meliorate your overall operation. Whether yous're picking out a glove for yourself or a immature baseball player, knowing the basics of how to cull a baseball glove is a key pace to playing your best on the field. Since there are a combination of different factors that get into determining which baseball game glove is right for yous or your histrion, we break down what you demand to know in guild to choose a baseball glove. In one case y'all narrow down the size and style of baseball glove y'all need, see what gloves our experts suggest as the All-time Baseball game Gloves for 2022.

How To Measure a Baseball Glove

Earlier identifying which baseball glove size volition fit best, it's important to have a basic agreement of how to measure a glove. All baseball gloves and catcher's mitts will have a size listed, unremarkably in inches.

  • To determine the size of a baseball glove , measure out from the tip of the alphabetize finger along the palm to the heel of the glove. Nigh baseball gloves don't measure out greater than 12.v inches.
  • When looking for a catcher's mitt , you'll detect that the sizing of the glove is between 32.5 to 34 inches. That's considering a catcher's paw is measured by the circumference.

Baseball Glove Size & Position

When finding the right size baseball glove, there are several factors to consider including hand size, age, and field position. The baseball game glove size charts beneath are a great starting point in narrowing your size options.

Youth Baseball Glove Size Chart

Age Baseball Glove Size
v & under 9" - 10"
half dozen - 7 10" - ten.5"
8 - 10 10.75" - 11.v"
11 -12 eleven" - 12"

Youth Catcher'southward Hand Size Chart

Age Catcher'southward Glove Size
Under 7 29.5" - xxx"
8 - 10 30" - 32"
11 - 13 31" - 32.5"

Loftier School & Adult Baseball Glove Size Nautical chart

Position Glove Size
Infield 11" - 12.25"
Outfield 12.five" - 12.75"
Showtime Base 12" - 13"
Bullpen 11.5" - 12.5"
Catcher 32.5" - 34"

Depending on your position, you'll want to look for specific features inside a baseball glove to help improve your overall performance. It's important to note that if you're a utility player or are just starting to play baseball, it'due south more important that your baseball glove feels comfy than meets all the requirements below. Below is a summary of what to look for in a baseball glove based on your position.

  • Infield Gloves : If you're playing an infield position, you'll utilize a smaller glove with a shallow pocket. This allows infielders to chop-chop transfer the ball from the glove to their throwing hand.
  • Outfield Gloves : For an outfield position, you lot'll typically desire a larger glove with a deep pocket. With the actress length, outfielders have a longer reach to snag fly balls, while the deeper pocket offers added control after the catch.
  • Get-go Base Mitts: Playing first base of operations is i of the most demanding positions on the field. A first base of operations mitt is constructed as more of a hybrid between a catcher's mitt and an infield glove because kickoff basemen spend much of their time communicable throws or fielding ground assurance. The mitt-style structure provides a deeper pocket for easier catching and scooping up ground balls, while the extended length of the hand makes fielding throws easier.
  • Pitcher's Gloves : When you lot're a pitcher, you lot'll use a glove nearly the same size as an infielder, merely you'll want to pay more attention to the webbing on the glove. With a closed web-pattern, a pitcher can hide their grip to prevent the batter from knowing which pitch is coming their way.
  • Catcher's Mitts : With a catcher'southward mitt, you should be near concerned near which size offers the all-time feel for your manus. With the right size catcher's mitt for your hand, yous're able to grab and transfer the baseball quickly.

Baseball Glove Web Types

Web Styles i web, modified trap, two piece, and h web

Aside from size and position, you'll also want to consider the baseball game glove's spider web type. To meliorate efficiency in catching and transferring the ball, you'll want to observe the right glove web type that matches your preferences and position. Below is a cursory summary of the four well-nigh mutual spider web types.

  1. I-Spider web: A baseball glove featuring an I-Web is mostly used by infielders. This webbing is an ideal size and volition sift through dirt when scooping up a basis ball.
  2. Modified Trapeze: The modified trapeze webbing, often referred to as mod trap, is used by infielders or the bullpen. With a modern trap pattern, at that place is a leather strip downward the middle of the webbing to provide more than stability equally well equally help hibernate the bullpen's grip.
  3. Two-Piece: This manner of webbing is mainly used by pitchers because this webbing option helps conceal the pitcher's grip the best. Added coverage means added weight, and so a glove with a two-slice webbing is typically used past older players with more than strength.
  4. H-Web: Depending on the glove's size, the H-Web webbing tin can be used by infielders or outfielders. With the leather strips making an "H" pattern, this webbing is very strong even so allows players to see through the webbing to locate wing balls.

Aside from these 4 baseball game glove web types, at that place are a few more position-specific web types including handbasket, trapeze, unmarried-mail, and dual-mail.

For a brief review of how to choose the right baseball glove, one of our baseball experts, Jimmy, summarizes what you need to continue in mind before picking out your side by side glove.

At present that you have a basic understanding of how to cull a baseball glove—considering your age, playing position, and webbing—yous're ready to start browsing in store or online for your next glove. Simply remember when choosing your baseball glove, it'southward all well-nigh personal preference and comfort. If you lot need additional help or accept questions almost how to cull a baseball glove, contact your local SCHEELS to speak with a baseball skillful!

Looking for other new baseball equipment? Check out our two expert blogs— How to Choose a Baseball game Bat and the Best Baseball Cleats .