With the many different glove types within baseball, they are not all made for the same purpose, which can be a bit confusing.
There are baseball gloves you can buy for allround use, but you may also want to buy gloves for the different positions.
You can use the suggestion that we have for you in this article to help you make your search more strategic.
The first thing to get out of your head is the notion that one brand of glove is better than another, or that the glove by its self will enhance your performance.
The real truth about choosing the right baseball glove is that the final decision, lies with you, your position, and your personal preferences.
If your not a professional baseball player, the chances are you’re an amateur, in which case you will be changing positions throughout the season.
If you will be taking part in numerous infield and outfield posts it may be best to choose a glove you can use for all these positions.
Here are some general guidelines you can use when selecting a baseball glove:
- Choose a glove that fits
- Pick the right glove that compliments your position
- Pick a versatile glove
- Determine that they are durable and quality leather
- Buy a glove that is in your available budget
- Choose a glove that has the right webbing, and parts
Select The Right Fitting Glove: Choosing the right-sized glove
Tip: When choosing a glove you should ensure there is ample hand space so the batting glove can be worn inside.
It is always better to choose a baseball glove that has plenty of room inside as opposed to one that is tight.
Having enough room for the batting glove within your glove should be the objective.
When choosing a glove, trying it on with your batting glove is best practice.
A batting glove within your glove is essential to protect the insides from dirt and salts from your hands. This helps prevent deterioration of the leather.
The glove you choose should also have padding in the palm to help with catching balls off center.
A glove that is easily adjustable is best to ensure the best snug fit…
The Difference Between a Right and Left-handed Glove
If you’re a player that is a right-handed baseball player, your glove will be marked “regular” on your left hand, to free your right hand to retrieve and toss the ball.
If you are a player that is left-handed, you will be wearing a “full right” glove, so you have a left hand that is free and Available to control the ball.
Choosing the Right Glove for Your Playing Position
Depending on where you are playing on the field, your gloves may need to be different.
Here are some of the glove types:
First Baseman Gloves
These gloves are designed to prevent injury to the catching hand. The tradition amongst first Basement has been to wear their own unique glove.
Today the first Base mitt is very different to what it was in 1941, when it hand five fingers.
This mitt today has been designed specifically to help recieve throws as easily as possible.
Today you can choose mitts from different leather types and colors, even webbing and backs.
Catchers Mitts
Normally leagues will provide players with catchers’ mitts, but you can also buy your own.
The catching position is possibly the toughest position aswell as the most susceptible to injury.
It is very important to have a catchers glove that protects you more than any other glove you might buy.
The constantly changing catchers mitt now has its own unique design. It includes more padding, a deep oval-shaped “basket” pocket, closed web, and is very strong and durable.
You can also get a catchers mitt with an open or closed back.
Infielders Gloves
When playing infield, apart from first Base, it’s best to use a small medium size lightweight glove that has shallow pockets so it can be transferred to the pitching hand easily.
The advice is to have a glove that has a deep pocket, and strong open I-web, H-web, or the trapeze web (adding a “sixth finger” in the pocket between the thumb and fingers) for middle infielders.
Choosing the size of this mitt is totally down to personal preference. The usual size of this glove is 11 to 11-1/2 inches for the second baseman and even up to 11-3/4 inch.
The third baseman may choose a larger glove as much as 12-1/5 inches which helps accommodate hard fast balls, and foul balls.
Outfield Gloves
The out fielders main objective is to retrieve the ball on a quick catch and release.
For this reason they will usually wear a large glove. They usually lean towards a closed web design between the thumb and fingers.
Having deep pockets to catch strong balls, is also of some benefit.
The size of an outfield glove for an adult is approx 12 inches or over.
The size and webbing design is entirely up to what the player ptefers.
Choosing a Glove For Multiple Positions
Catchers or basement, are the most likely to buy a specific glove, but if you don’t play in one of these positions a versatile glove is what you should be looking at.
This will be a glove that can serve both purposes i.e. infield and outfield.
The Durability Check
Choosing a 100% genuine leather glove should be the first thing that you look for. A brand is also a good addition to this.
What you need to watch out for are gloves that say part of the glove is made of another material other than leather. This maybe a non-leather or veneer material, you should also look out for plastic gloves that look like leather.
These non leather brands are particularly bad for children as they won’t be able to break them in. These type of gloves will also be resistant to glove oil.
Buying Gloves in Your Price Range
The best way to get clothes in your budget is to compare pricing. A good way to find the lowest prices easily is to shop online, once you know what glove you want.
Ensure that you get the glove for your position or positions and don’t settle for a glove that is made from artificial materials.
Never buy a cheaper alround glove when you need a specific glove for a definite position.
Parts of the glove to consider:
- Pockets
- Backs
- Wrists
- Webbing
Webbing
A player will often choose a glove depending on the webbing. Some like it open and others closed. Ensure the glove you choose has solid webbing and the it is also securely attached to the rest of the glove, this is important because it will make the glove more durable.
Normally pitchers go with webbing, as this gives them the ability to hide the ball from the hitter.
Other players that like webbing are outfielders and third basemen as it helps provide them extra support. It is usually the middle infielders that like open web for faster retrieval.
Pockets
The style is an important consideration when choosing a baseball glove. Generally the rule is small pockets for infielders, and deeper ones for outfielders.
Backs
Having closed or open “backs” behind the wrist is down to individual taste.
Forethemost part an Infielder tends to prefer to have an open back for better flexibility. Outfielders choose closed, with a finger chamber to give them added support.
Wrists
The wrist area of your glove should have the ability to be adjusted. This is usually by the use of Velcro or a D-ring fastener.
Conclusion
Choosing the best baseball glove can be a difficult task for parents and anyone new to the game. A custom baseball glove is allways a good thing – so this is something worth considering.
Using proper information and some practical knowledge, your purchasing journey can be improved.
After you have applied all the information in this article you can treat yourself to a comfortable, great-performing baseball glove that will be a part of you for many seasons to come. Here are some different brands of custom gloves to help you in the right direction, Mizuno, Rawling, Wilson and TPX.
