Choosing the Correct Baseball Glove

For those of you that are in the market for a new baseball glove, there are some things that you will need to consider before you make your purchase. On your way to finding the appropriate baseball glove, the type of mitt you need will be determined by a few different factors, such as: size, age, position, budget and planned duration of use. It is important to remember that, when selecting a baseball glove, you understand that the glove is not going to make you the next Ozzie Smith. That can only be done through a lot of practice. However, choosing a decent glove will help give you an edge on the field. Also, it can prevent you from having to spend money every year on a new glove.

Throughout this page, each category will be discussed and explained and, hopefully, by the end, you will have a better idea on which glove is right for you.

If you are selecting a baseball glove for your child, you want to make sure that the glove fits appropriately. One of the biggest mistakes that you, as a parent, can make when selecting a baseball glove is to purchase an over-sized glove in hopes that your child will grow into it. This will leave your child struggling to use his or her glove. You would be much better off getting a cheaper, smaller mitt, than you would be if you got an expensive, larger one. Depending on your child's age, he or she could, potentially, be growing for a long time. So, there is no sense in buying your child a permanent glove at a young age. You should expect to pay anywhere from $25-$65 on a youth baseball glove.

Size

Generally speaking, youth gloves range from 8"-12". If your child is under 8 years old, you would be wise to get them a glove no larger than 11". It is important to know that a glove is going to function much better once it has been broken in. However, if it is clear that the glove is not comfortable, or they can not handle it properly, have them try another one.

Position

If your child is playing catcher or first base, he or she may need a specialized glove. Both first base gloves and catchers mitts are heavily padded to withstand the amount of work that each position requires. If your child is fairly young and playing first base, it would be okay to pass on the first baseman's glove for a regular glove. However, if your child is the primary catcher, they will need a good catcher's mitt. These position specific gloves cost a little bit more than a regular glove, but if your child's primary position is at first base or behind the plate, they are worth the extra cost.

Remember these kids are young and still learning the fundamentals. There is no way a glove is going to make them an all-star. Only through hard work and practice will they be able to achieve a high skill level.

When choosing a glove for more competitive play, you are going to want to choose a better quality glove. The better quality glove you buy, the more durable it is going to be. It is recommended that you spend some extra money for quality and durability so that you don't have to spend money on a new glove each year.

The position you play is going to play a large role in the glove you choose. Each position on the diamond is subject to different kinds of work. For instance, the catcher and first baseman are going to be seeing the most glove work, while infielders are going to be making the quickest exchanges. Knowing the difference between the different types of mitts and their respective positions will be important when selecting the correct glove. Generally, you should expect to pay anywhere from $50 all the way to $400 on a glove, depending on your preference and budget.

The infield has a wide variety of positions that require different kinds of gloves. The middle infielders and pitcher will need a slightly different kind of glove than the third baseman and the first baseman has an entirely different style of glove altogether.

Middle Infielders & Pitchers

It is the middle infielders job to field the ball cleanly and be able to transfer the ball from the glove hand to the throwing hand quickly. With that being said, a middle infielder needs a small glove, between 10.5"-12" that has a shallow pocket.

Second basemen usually have the smallest glove on the field to turn double plays, while the shortstop, generally, needs a slightly bigger glove to improve fielding abilities.

Corner Infielders 

The corner infield positions require two totally different styles of glove. The third basemen's glove will, typically, be more like a middle infielders glove. However it will be a little bigger and it will have a deeper pocket. The bigger glove will help the third baseman field the hard hit balls that come with playing the hot corner.

A first baseman's glove is heavily padded to help with the impact of catching so many hard thrown balls by the other infielders. It is also a longer and bigger mitt than the rest of the infield positions.

If you are playing in the outfield, you are going to need a different type of glove. Outfielder gloves are generally larger, heavier gloves that have a deeper and thicker pocket. They are usually somewhere in between 12"-13" long. Unlike the difference in style of infielder gloves, each outfield position does not require a different kind of glove.

The large size and heavy padding of the outfielders glove makes it easier for the player to catch fly balls. The long length of the outfielders glove is acceptable, because unlike infielders outfielders do not have to remove the ball quickly from their gloves on as regular of a basis. Also, outfielder gloves tend to have covered backs to provide more support between the player's wrists and tips of their fingers.

A catcher's mitt is similar to a first baseman's glove in that both are heavily padded to absorb catching harder thrown balls throughout the game. Unlike the first baseman's glove, the catcher's mitt is circular in shape and is measured by it's circumference. Generally, a catcher's mitt should be 32"-34" but will vary with the size and strength of the players hand and wrist.

When selecting a catcher's mitt it is important that you pick a manageable size. Having too big of a mitt can cause a problem during the game. Since catcher is the most important defensive position on the diamond, you can't afford to choose the wrong glove. With that being said, you are definitely going to want to spend a little extra money on a catcher's mitt to get a better quality glove.

When buying any baseball glove it should be noted that a glove will not make you a better fielder. Do not believe that by buying the best glove on the market, you will then, in turn, become the fielder on the diamond. It takes dedication and practice to improve skills in any endeavor. The same is just as true for fielding in baseball as it is for any other aspect of life.