The Best Baseball Gloves for Practice and Game Day

Buying Guide: Baseball Gloves

Whether you’re an experienced player or new to the game, a high-quality baseball glove is essential for any player. But with so many options to choose from, making a smart purchase requires knowing what to look for.

To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled this comprehensive buying guide, packed with all the information you need to choose the ideal baseball glove for your needs. From size and material to webbing and position-specific gloves, we’ve got you covered.

What to Look for When Buying Baseball Gloves

Type

Depending on the position you play, the right glove can make all the difference on the field. From catcher’s mitt to infielder’s glove, there are several different types of baseball gloves. Each is designed for a specific position on the field.

For instance, infielder gloves feature shallow pockets, allowing greater flexibility and quicker hand movement. Outfielder gloves tend to be larger and have deeper webbing for increased catching range.

First baseman gloves typically feature extra padding for increased protection when fielding grounders and throws, while catcher’s mitts are designed with extra padding to protect the hand from hard-thrown pitches.

Material

Baseball gloves are generally made from quality leather or synthetic materials. Leather is popular for its durability and flexibility, although it does require regular maintenance such as conditioning and re-oiling. Synthetic materials are lighter in weight and often less expensive than leather, but they are not as durable or comfortable to wear over time.

Whatever material you choose, ensure it comes with reinforced seams, so it doesn’t split open when you catch a hard-hit ball. It should also have breathable materials to keep your hand dry and comfortable as you play. This is especially important in hot weather when sweat can make the glove slippery and hard to grip a ball.

Webbing

The webbing type used on a baseball glove can vary between open, closed, or basket, depending on the position being played (catcher, infielder, outfielder). Closed webbing offers maximum strength, while open webbing provides more flexibility and grip control when catching balls at different speeds and angles. Basket webbing gives more structure to a pocket area which allows for quicker ball retrieval when necessary, so make sure you choose one that best suits your position/skill level when making a purchase decision.

Padding

Padding plays an integral role in a glove’s comfort and performance. It helps protect your hand from getting bruised, cut, and injured by an incoming ball while also helping reduce rebounds. To choose the right amount of padding, consider how often you plan to use the glove and how hard you typically throw balls while playing.

Soft padding is ideal if you’re a beginner and don’t plan on using your glove frequently, while thicker padding may be better for more experienced players who play often or throw harder. Additionally, some baseball gloves have finger stalls or small pockets in each finger section to provide extra cushioning, helping to reduce fatigue and stress on the wrist and fingers during play.

Size

Baseball gloves come in various sizes ranging from youth (10 inches) to adult (12 to 14 inches). A glove that’s too large can impede a player’s ability to throw accurately, while one that’s too small can make it difficult for a player to control the ball. Generally speaking, an infielder glove should fit snugly, whereas an outfielder glove should fit slightly looser to account for potential stretching out over time.

Before buying, try on several gloves of different sizes to see which one feels most comfortable. You should also consider the type of league you play in. If you’re an outfielder or infielder, for example, a larger glove is more important than if you’re a catcher.