Choosing a Baseball Glove

Choosing a baseball glove can be confusing if you don't do your homework. Whether you are buying a glove for yourself, or a youngsters first baseball glove, we will look at some factors in choosing the correct one.

We will look at the styles of baseball gloves in reference to position, along with the features, sizes and different materials that go into the make up of the many gloves out there.

First lets look at the different positions in baseball that require special mitts.

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Catcher's Mitt: This is a mitt which is fingerless and heavily padded to absorb the possible sting of a pitchers hard throw. It's reinforced to withstand the constant use through out the game. This baseball mitt is not used for any other positions.

First Baseman's Glove: This baseball glove has less padding than a catcher's mitt and kind of resembles a mitten by its design. The pocket is very large allowing the first baseman to easily catch the ball from all angles, whether it's thrown or hit to you.

Infielder's Glove: The infielder's baseball glove has five fingers and normally a shallow pocket. Second basemen and shortstops gloves usually are the smallest so they can have better control fielding a ground ball and easily getting the ball out of their gloves quickly. An open back on the glove also gives them more flexibility. The third baseman's glove is larger then the middle infielders and the webbing style of the pocket is closed to lend more support for those hot shots from the batter.

Outfielder's Glove: These baseball gloves are longer in length and have a deeper pocket to give you a larger area to help in catching fly balls. Their webbing is also closed to give the outfielder more support.

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Sizes for gloves:

Infielder's gloves for adults can range from (10.5 in to 11.5 in). For youths (9 in to 11 in).

Outfielder's gloves for adults can range from (12 in to 12.5 in). For youths about 11 in.

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Materials for gloves:

Leather, which offers the best comfort, more control and a better feel for catching the baseball.

Treated leather, which is softened with chemicals for a faster break in and increased durability. It also helps the glove keep its shape longer.

Synthetic materials, which are a less durable but lighter material and won't withstand wear and tear like leather but is less expensive and a good starter glove for the youngsters.

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Remember to keep in mind when looking for your new baseball mitt the position you are going to play will influence your decision. A catcher's mitt and a first baseman's glove will only be used for their respective positions. Outfielder's gloves are normally larger and have deeper pockets for ease in catching the ball, where as infielder's gloves are smaller with shallower pockets for better control and quicker release. Leather is the best choice for performance and durability.

With all this said, choosing a baseball glove is a very personal choice. So when you get your's, go outside and play a game of catch!

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