Baseball & Softball Sizing Help, Tips & Information
Choosing the Right Fielding Glove
Although today's baseball and softball gloves feature softer leather and are more broken-in than in years before, it's still important to know how to choose a glove that's right or you. Here are six steps to help make the process easier:
What to Look For
1. Be prepared to pay between $50 and $150.
2. Be prepared to buy more than one glove
3. Select gloves according to the positions you play. Infielders use smaller gloves (less than 12 inches for baseball) than pitchers and outfielders. Most baseball gloves sold by Footlocker also have an accompanying graphic that tells at a glance which positions the glove is best used for.
4. Buy a specialty glove for each position you play.
5. Care for your glove properly. Make sure it's oiled, but not overly so.
6. Follow the manufacturer's directions for glove care. Try to keep it dry, but if it does become wet, let it air dry.
7. To measure your glove size, use a cloth tape measure and measure the glove from the tip of the middle finger to the base of the palm
Gloves and Positions
Catcher: The catcher's glove is a reinforced and heavily padded mitt that's made to handle high-velocity balls. A regulation size adult catcher's mitt can measure no more than 38 inches in circumference and 15 1/2 inches from top to bottom.
First base: Although it is a mitt, the first base glove is less padded than a catcher's mitt and has closed webbing. This mitt must be less than 12 inches from top to bottom and 8 inches across the palm. A longish mitt with a shallow pocket is best for snagging the ball and getting off your throw.
Infielder: This is the most common glove, incorporating five-finger construction, pocket and web. Lightly padded, these gloves are extremely flexible. Quick throws are made from second base, so gloves need to be small enough to control the ball. Third basemen use a larger glove that can handle powerful hits. Shortstops encounter grounders and quick throws that call for a medium-sized glove.
Outfielder: Similar to the infielder glove, outfielder gloves may have a deeper pocket to handle high-flying balls.
Anatomy of a Glove
Webbing comes in different styles to suit a variety of players and positions. The most common are open and closed. Closed webbing allows a pitcher to conceal the ball. Many outfielders also choose closed-web styles for the extra support. Infielders generally choose an open web pattern because it makes it easier to dig the ball out of the glove and make a quick throw.
Backs come in two variations: a finger hole to put out index finger or open. This is largely a matter of preference.
Break-in Tips
The best way to break in a glove is to use it. You also can use specially designed conditioners to speed the process, but don't subject your glove to hard temperatures (please, no microwaves), water, oils or sprays that will clog the pores in the leather.
Store one or two balls (depending on the size of the glove) inside the pocket when the glove is not in use.
Use a rubber mallet or bang a ball into the pocket of the glove to break it in.
The amount of breaking in required depends on the player's preferences.
