Choosing the Right Baseball Glove

By Wayne | November 18, 2008

The right baseball glove makes all the difference in the game. There are many brands, styles and sizes to choose from. Some people are brand loyal. I’m all for brand loyalty but sometimes it may not be in your best interest. Your first priority should be comfort. If your favorite brand has a glove that you like then buy it. My favorite brands are Wilson, Glovesmith, Nokona, Mizuno, Rawlings, Easton and Worth. There are several reasons I like these brands.

They are in the baseball glove business.
They all offer a large selection of styles, sizes and price ranges.
They all have very good customer service. Some of the smaller companies carry baseball gloves as add on products. And some of the smaller baseball glove companies lack customer support after you purchase one of their gloves.

I collect older baseball gloves and always wonder how the players prior to the 1950’s caught the ball. It’s amazing how baseball glove designs have improved so much yet the greatest players come from that era.

Glove Materials
Gloves are made from various types of leather, nylon & vinyl.

Pigskin gloves – Youth entry level gloves are made from pigskin. They are supple which allows the glove to open and close easily which helps to develop confidence.
Oil tanned steer hide leather gloves – Considered “game ready” with a minimal break-in period. Although the glove life is not as long as non oil tanned gloves, this is a good choice to purchase if you need to use it in a game right away. They are comfortable and good for all ages.
Curried, re-tanned steer hide gloves – Firm with superior durability. These will require a break-in period.
There are other leathers that are also available including buffalo and kangaroo.

Anyone of these leathers is very good.

Glove Size
Gloves are designed for both youth and adult. The size of the glove is typically determined by position on the field and age. Here is a basic glove chart:

	Glove Size	Position	Remarks
Youth	10.25″	Utility	6 – 8 Year Old
	11.00″	Utility	9 – 11 Year Old

Adult	11.00″	Middle Infield
	11.25″	Middle Infield
	11.50″	Infield
	11.75″	Infield / Pitcher
	12.00″	Pitcher
	12.25″	Utility
	12.50″	Utility / Outfield
	12.75″	Outfield

Web Style
There are many web styles to choose from. Different web designs are for specific positions because of the way they can shield the sun, hide the visibility from a batter or get the ball out of the glove quicker to help throw out a runner. Some of the newer web designs are strictly fashionable. An open web is better for infielders while a closed web is better for pitchers. So it is up to the preference of the player as to what they want.

Back Style

There are four basic back styles:

The adjustable or Velcro back styles are great for players with smaller hands. They provide a quick and secure fit.
Fastback or a closed design usually incorporates a slot for your index finger to fit through so it’s on the outside of the glove if you prefer. Some companies are now incorporating a finger sleeve to protect your finger when fielding or prevent a batter from possibly seeing which pitch will be thrown.
Open backs offer the most room. This style is the most common. In many cases the manufacture has a few extra holes on the back strap to allow the player to tighten up the strap by re-lacing the strap. It usually takes about 5 minutes to make this adjustment.
Notch backs are very similar to the open back but offers a little less room.

Beginner Youth
Youth baseball gloves should be chosen carefully. Avoid the mistake too many people make by buying a big glove for a young player. The result is that the glove is too heavy and the child will not be able to open and close the glove. It is discouraging and the player will not enjoy playing.

Entry level gloves for the young players are typically made from pigskin which is suppler then cowhide gloves. They come in a variety of colors to allow the player to choose their favorite. Most of these gloves have age suggestions on the hang tags. These are very good gloves for the young player that is being introduced to the game at a recreational level. There is no need to look at more expensive gloves until you confirm that the player has passion for the sport and will stick with it. Youth sizes range from 9″-11″.

Experienced Youth
Some gloves are marketed directly for the youth player. These gloves will have narrow finger stalls, Velcro back closure to adjust the fit on the players hand and a notch on the heel to allow the player to close the glove easier. There is also a large selection of gloves that are not marketed to the younger player but may be the right choice. Look for oil tanned gloves because of their comfort and easy break-in. Let the player select the glove even if you do not agree. It is important to keep it fun and develop confidence. You can always purchase another glove in the future once the player is ready.

Teen or Adult
If you are purchasing a baseball glove for the first time or replacing the one you have I always recommend using the guide to get started. Select the gloves in your price range and try every one on. Gloves are a personal choice. You will know which one is best as soon as you put it on. I am never surprised by selections made by players. I have tried on hundreds of gloves and have several favorites that prices range from $49.99 to $299.99.