If you are having trouble figuring out how to choose a baseball glove size don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
After reading this article you will know exactly how to pick the right size glove!
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In order of importance, these are the things you should consider when trying to determine the right baseball glove.
- Age
- Position
- Playability and Personal Preference
Let’s walk though each of these
Age
This is fairly simple, but very important.
Youth players should focus on getting a glove that FITS, not a glove that fits a particular position.
A lot of adult size gloves are simply too big for youth players and will have a negative effect on how they play. Above all, young players should focus on getting a glove that they can handle and move with.
For example, a third baseman at the high school level will normally use an 11.5” or 11.75” glove. An 8 year old would not be able to move around with something that large!
Here are some general age guidelines to get you started.
- 4-8 Years Old – 9” to 10”
- 8-10 Years Old – 10” to 11”
- 10-12 Years Old – 10” to 12” (Bigger sizes for outfield play)
- 12 and Up – 11” to 13” (Can focus on position specific gloves at this point)
If you stick with those general guidelines then you should be able to find something that is a good fit.
If the player is 10 or under simply search for youth baseball gloves and you should find plenty of great gloves to choose from.
Now let’s get in to more position specific sizes and details.
Position
Most adult gloves are designed for a specific position. Sizes, webbing and pocket depth will all vary depending on the demand of each position.
These are not necessarily *rules*, but guidelines based on what will give you optimum performance for that position.
Pitchers Gloves
Players at the high school level and below often play a lot of positions, so rarely do they have a glove just for pitching.
However, if you are looking for a pitchers glove, you can look for a couple of things.
Choose a design with a closed web. This ensures that your grip on the ball is not visible before delivering each pitch.
Also, it’s usually a good idea to have a larger glove with a deeper pocket. This serves the same purpose of keeping the ball hidden as much as possible.
Some pitchers like to opt for a finger hood as well. This protects the finger when it is outside the glove. In some cases this can prevent you tipping your pitches.
The Rawlings Gamer Series 12” is a great pitchers glove.
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The closed web will keep the ball concealed as you take your grip. You can get this same model with a basket web, another popular choice for pitchers.
Catchers Mitts
This one is pretty easy!
A good catchers mitt should protect your hand and allow you to “stick” the pitch in a lot of locations.
The top brands of catchers mitts are Wilson, Rawlings and All-Star.
Youth sizes will range from 31.5” to 32.5”
Adult catchers mitts will be 33.5” to 35”
The All-Star Pro Elite catchers mitt is one of the most popular gloves at all levels.
They do take some time to break in. However once you have it broken in, there is not a longer lasting, higher performing glove on the market.
First Baseman Mitts
For first baseman you are looking for a glove that can scoop and secure. Most gloves designed for first base are between 12” and 12.5”
These gloves are going to have a very deep pocket and are designed to catch the ball and keep it in!
Here is the Wilson A2K 1617 12.5” first baseman glove with a double bar web.
The A2K is one of my favorite glove lines and the color on this model is exceptional!
Second Baseman Gloves
Second base is a demanding position because you need to be able to secure ground balls but also transfer the ball quickly and efficiently during double plays.
Gloves for second baseman will usually be between 11” and 11.5”. The most popular size for amateur baseball is probably 11.25”
The Rawlings Heart of the Hide 11.25 is a great choice for second baseman.
These gloves have some of the softest leather and are very easy to break in. If you are close to the start of the season this may be something you want to consider.
Third Baseman Gloves
At third base you are going to have a lot of hard hit balls. This requires a slightly larger infield glove with a deeper pocket to help secure the baseball.
At third base you will use a glove between 11.5” and 12”, with 11.75 being the most popular size for the position.
Here is the Marucci Honor The Game 11.75 Inch MFGHG1175H-KR
This comes with an H-web which I think is a great option for the “hot corner”. This gives you maximum control and ability to secure the baseball on hard hits.
Short Stop Gloves
Like second base, short stop demands a quick transfer for double plays. Traditionally gloves for this position will range from 11.25” to 11.75”
Again, there is no rule saying you need to stay within this size range.
Most short stops seem to prefer the 11.5” size. Therefore there are a lot of great options in this size from all of the popular brands.
For infield gloves, look no further than the A2000 by Wilson.
The is the model worn by Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros and is an 11.5” with the I-web.
Outfield Gloves
Outfield gloves are relatively the same for all 3 positions. Sizes range from 12.25” to 12.75”
Go as big as you can without feeling like the glove is weighing you down or causing your actions towards the ball to be slow.
Most outfield gloves with come in an H-web or laced open web design.
The Rawlings Gold Glove Series outfield model has always been one of the most popular gloves on the market.
This is a 12.75” glove with the iconic Rawling Trap-EZE webbing.
Playability and Personal Preference
The more you play the game of baseball, the more you will develop certain preferences when it comes to your equipment.
Things like glove material, webbing, pocket depth and size will all be things that you may choose differently than another player at the same position. This is perfectly ok and as you begin to understand how important the playability of a glove is, you will start to pay close attention.
The only way to know what you like is to try out different options.
Conclusion
Choosing the right baseball glove is not difficult once you know the appropriate size for your age and position.
After that you can focus on getting awesome colors, logos and stitching! A lot of brands will let you design your own custom glove (although that often comes at a premium price!)
As you gain more experience you will make adjustments to what feels and plays better for your game.
What is your favorite glove of all time?
Let us know in the comments!
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHAT
