Buying a Glove
How to Buy a Glove Generally Depends on Age and Position
The position you play is the most important consideration in choosing a baseball or softball glove, although age is also a factor.
Catcher's Glove or Mitt (position)
- Is a fingerless mitt (does not have individual fingers)
- Has heavy padding to reduce the sting from the pitcher's throw
- Is reinforced to withstand heavy use throughout a game
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First Base Baseball Glove or Mitt (position)
- Has less padding than the catcher's mitt
- Is longer to help the first baseman reach, scoop and catch throws from infielders
- Has a shallow pocket that allows the first baseman to quickly retrieve the ball from the mitt
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Infield Baseball Glove (position)
- A five-fingered glove with a shallow pocket
- A youth size is between 9 inches and 11 inches
- For adults 10 1/2 to 11 1/2 inches is the typical glove size
- Softball infielder gloves have a deeper pocket to accept the bigger ball
- Second basemen need a smaller glove to help make quick throws while still having control
- Shortstops use something in the middle for grounders and quick throws
- Third basemen need a larger glove
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Outfield Baseball Glove (position)
- Usually sized at 12 to 12 1/2 inches for adults and 11 inches for children
- Has a deeper pocket to handle balls hit high in the air
- Has a longer length to give as much reach as possible
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Pitcher's Baseball Glove (position)
- Can be any size (Just make sure it's comfortable on your hand)
- Has a closed web to hide the ball and pitcher's hand
- Sometimes has a finger hood to conceal the index finger
- Popular web styles for pitchers: Basket, Basket Connector, Two Piece Solid and Modified Trap-eze
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Little League/Youth (age)
- Youth models are smaller to help children maintain control
- Avoid the urge to buy a bigger glove that your child will grow into
- Children under the age of 8 should stick with a glove between 9 inches and 11 inches
- Children from 8 to early teens should consider an 11-inch glove
- Beginners also benefit from the added control that they get from smaller gloves
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High School/Adult (age)
- Outfielders need 12-12 1/2 inch gloves with deeper pockets
- Infielders need smaller gloves (10 1/2 to 11 1/2 inches) with shallower pockets for better control and quicker ball transfer
- Pitchers can go with a slightly larger glove than infielders but still need a small enough glove for fielding and throwing quickly
- Softball players require gloves that are slightly longer in length and deeper in the pocket to help field the bigger ball
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Softball Gloves
- Generally larger both in the pocket and in length to help players handle the larger ball
- If you play both baseball and softball and only want to buy one glove, select a softball glove
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