One of the most exciting days for any baseball enthusiast is the day they get their first baseball glove. It is easy to buy a glove for a young child, but as we get older, it becomes a bit more challenging. How exactly do you determine the right size baseball glove? It is crucial to purchase a glove that will last for a few years and will fit the position you are interested in playing. This article is going to explore some of the steps you should consider when determining the right size baseball glove to purchase.
How To Determine The Right Size Baseball Glove?
Parts Of A Baseball Glove
Let’s first breakdown the critical components of a baseball glove. All gloves contain webbing, fingers, palm, and heel. The webbing or pocket connects the thumb of the glove to the fingers. It is the part of the glove that helps you catch balls safely and securely. The webbing of a glove comes in many different sizes, depending on the position of the player. The fingers of a glove are where your fingers will be held. The length of the fingers will vary depending on the glove type.
The palm or the pocket of the glove works to keep the ball securely inside. Many gloves will come with extra palm padding to reduce the sting of a direct hit in the palm area. Lastly, the heel of the glove is located below the palm and is the stiffest part of the glove. It is the most padded part of the glove and helps to provide the structure of it.
Selecting The Right Baseball Glove
Now that we understand the basic terminology of the composition of a baseball glove let’s look at how some of those features affect the type and size of glove that you select.
Webbing/Pocket Size
The webbing/pocket size will have a significant effect on what position you play. Middle infielders (second baseman and shortstop) will have a shallower pocket so that they can get the ball out of their glove quickly. An outfielder will have a bigger pocket to allow them to catch flyballs with ease.
Types Of Web Designs
Six types of webbing will help to determine the right glove for you. An infielder’s glove will have a loose stitch design that allows the infielder to get the ball out quickly without picking up any clumps of infield dirt. Outfielders will have a more open web design to give them the ability to shield the sun while trying to catch a flyball.
The six webbings to choose from are H-web, I-web, Closed/Basket Web, Two-piece Closed Web, Trapeze Web, and Modified Trapeze Web. Check out Tips on Choosing a Baseball Glove.
H-Web | |
I-Web | |
Closed/Basket Web | |
Two-piece Closed Web | |
Trapeze Glove | |
Modified Trapeze Glove |
Measuring A Baseball Glove
With an understanding of the glove parts and how the webbing affects the glove type to use, you will want to look at the size of a glove in inches to get the right fit. When you pick up a baseball glove, look on the thumb or pinky side to see the size of the glove. The sizes can range from 8 to 15 inches with the catcher’s mitt sizing in at 35 inches. This is the measurement from the top of the index finger to the center of the heel.
Let’s break it down by position, possible web designs, and the typical size of the glove. This will be a good indicator for you to figure out exactly what glove you want.
Position | Web Design | Sizing |
|---|---|---|
Outfielders | *H-web | 9-15 inches |
Shortstop and 2nd Base | *I-web | 11.25-12 inches |
3rd Base | *H-web | 11.25-12 inches |
Pitchers | *Basket/Closed | 9-13 inches |
Catcher | *Two-piece closed | 29.5-34.5 inches |
1st Base | *Two-piece closed | 11.5-13 inches |
Youth vs. Adult Gloves
All of the information listed above mainly refers to adult baseball gloves. Youth gloves are for younger players with smaller hands. They tend to be much cheaper than adult gloves and are easier to open and close. They should be used for players under the age of 10 but can go as high as 12 years old. After that age, players should be switching to an adult glove. This glove will last you as long as the glove can hold up. It is around the age of 12 that people consider paying more for a glove to ensure its durability.
Baseball Glove Sizing Chart
Lastly, we will take a look at the estimated size of the glove players should wear based on their age. Since people grow at different rates, this chart only provides an estimate of a typical size relative to your age. Check out How to Measure Hand Size for Baseball Gloves.
Age | Catcher | 1st Base | 2nd/SS | 3rd Base | Pitcher | Outfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Under 7 | 29.5-30” | 11.5” | 8-10.5” | 8-10.5” | 8-10.5” | 9-10.5” |
8-10 | 30-31” | 11.5-12” | 10.5-11.25” | 10.5-11.5” | 10.5-11.5” | 10-12” |
11-13 | 30-32.5” | 11.5-12” | 11-11.5” | 11-11.75” | 11.5-12” | 11.75-12.75” |
Over 14 | 32-34.5” | 12-13” | 11.25-11.5” | 11.5-12” | 11.5-12” | 12-13” |
Conclusion
As evidenced from above, a lot of factors can go into determining the perfect baseball glove. Since baseball gloves are reasonably expensive, it is essential to purchase a glove that will have the most comfortable fit for you. Hopefully, this information will help you select the right baseball glove to showcase all of your skills.
Please comment below if you have any questions and feel free to share with other baseball enthusiasts!
Remember, keep the following ideas in mind when purchasing your next glove: