The Basics of Buying a Ball Glove
Whether you are playing baseball, softball, slow pitch, or fast pitch, you are going to need to have a glove that feels and fits right. A poorly fitted glove can be the difference between making an epic play or a fumble, which is why we are here to make sure you get into the perfect glove for you!
The Basics
There is an incredibly wide range of baseball and softball gloves available that vary in size, material, brand, and shape. Which glove you go with should hinge on what sport you are playing, which position you most frequently play, and the quality of glove you feel is appropriate for your level. We have broken down the major points to consider when buying a glove below to make the process easier on you all!
Glove Material
When it comes to material, lower end gloves will feature a synthetic or softened leather that is quick to break-in and offers significant flexibility. As you move up the ladder, premium leather will take longer to break in, but offer you the highest quality fit and comfort.
Generally speaking, as you go up in price and level, the quality of the leather increases overall. This means that the glove will not only be able to withstand more use and last longer but will also be considerably stiffer. Although these higher quality and stiffer gloves often require significantly more break-in time, you can actually skip this step by having them steamed with our in-house glove steaming service. This means you can get your glove steamed to your preferred amount of stiffness the day you buy it - free of charge!
Glove Size
Did you know that the size of a baseball or softball glove refers to the size of the pocket, and not the size of the hand? Adult Baseball gloves range from a size 11-13, and adult softball gloves range from a size 12-14 due to the larger ball. As a rule, those playing outfield should opt for a larger pocket, and those playing infield should go for a smaller pocket.
For Baseball, we recommend that outfielders wear a 12" to a 13" glove, and infielders wear 11.25" to a 12" glove. Those playing on first base are an exception however, and should use a glove that falls within the 12" to 13" range.
Softball players should use larger gloves across the board, so we recommend that outfielders wear a 12.5" to 14" glove, and infielders wear 12" to 13" glove. Same as with baseball, those playing on first base are an exception, and should use a glove that falls within the 12" to 13" range.
Each glove is going to feel differently on your hand however, regardless of size, so it's important to try a few on to feel out what is the best fit for you. You can also check out out sizing chart below for a more detailed breakdown of glove recommendations based on position, age, and sport.
Different Trap Patterns
Each size and brand of glove often comes in a variety of trap patterns. The most common is the "H Trap", which is often used among outfielders to provide visibility when catching the ball overhead. Traps can also be closed, which are often used by pitchers to conceal the players grip and not tip off the batter. There are a number of other trap patterns that vary in shape, but the main consideration here is how much flexibility you would like, and if you would like to be able to see through the glove, or keep your hand concealed.
Ball Glove Overview
There are hundreds of different baseball and softball gloves to choose from each with different features, so it's key to consider your position, needs, and the level of play you will be competing at. Each baseball and softball glove will feel and fit differently on your hand, so at the end of the day the best thing you can do is come into our store and try on gloves until you find your perfect match! Our knowledgeable staff would love to help get you into the right glove, as well as help break it in for you with our specialized equipment, free of charge.
