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What Should I Look for When Buying Baseball Gloves?

By Bryan Pedersen
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 12,318
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There are few pieces of sports equipment as personal and cherished as baseball gloves, and it's not all nostalgia at work. Baseball gloves need to be carefully chosen and broken in by players from the little leagues all the way to the professional level. Baseball bats break, balls get lost, but the glove, to most players, is irreplaceable.

Over the years, baseball gloves have evolved and become more specialized. No longer are the gloves interchangeable by position. In-fielders generally like a smaller glove to make the transfer to the throwing hand that much shorter, while outfielders like lots of webbing for those spectacular leaping over-the-wall catches. So, knowing your position is the first step in purchasing the right baseball glove.

Another choice to consider is open web versus closed web. The web of a baseball glove is the patch of leather connecting the thumb and index finger where the ball is caught. An open web uses crisscrossed pieces of leather while a closed web is a solid piece. The general consensus is that open webs catch and control the ball better, while closed webs allow for a quicker transfer to the throwing hand. For this reason, short stops and second baseman usually benefit from a closed web design, while corner infielders are better off with an open web. The choice, however, is up to each player. There are many pros that choose contrary to this belief, and still play great baseball.

Once you decide what style of baseball gloves best suit you, it's time to buy one. The most obvious consideration is the quality of the leather. Good quality leather will be easier to break in, age better over time, and form a better fit on both the hand and the ball. Then, it's up to the player to break his or her glove in using a variety of techniques. Experts recommend using oil made exclusively for softening up baseball gloves so as not to inadvertently damage the leather.

Another thing to consider when looking at baseball gloves is whether it is for a growing hand or not. For youths, an adjustable wrist strap is a feature that may make sense to accommodate a growing hand. They are also great if the glove is going to be used by more than one person. High quality baseball gloves, however, usually omit this feature and instead provide a snug fit on the user's hand right out of the box. Make sure the glove fits comfortably and won't fall off during play. Female gloves are available that provide narrower finger holes to accommodate the smaller hand sizes.

Carefully chosen baseball gloves can last a long time if cared for, so it's best not to leave it in the garage. Store it in a cool, dry place and oil it occasionally to prevent the leather from drying out.

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Discussion Comments
By wander — On May 23, 2011

If you are on a budget, do you think it is OK to pick up a synthetic baseball glove made out of plastic or vinyl, or should you just go for broke and buy the leather version?

I only play casually but I do want to be comfortable and not worry about my hand sweating too much.

Does anyone have experience using both synthetic and leather gloves? Did you find that there was a big difference in performance and comfort?

I would like to have a glove that would last a few years and that feels secure on my hand.

By Sara007 — On May 22, 2011

If you have kids that are getting into baseball for the first time, you can make buying their baseball gloves a fun and interactive trip.

At large sports stores they have a wide variety of selection and some even have an area when you can practice pitching your baseball. These stores are few and far between, but if you can find one, the kids will have a blast trying out the various gloves.

Let them find one that they think is comfortable. Be aware though that they will be growing out of it fast and to budget accordingly. Usually with kid baseball gloves you can at least pass them on to other children in the family or donate them to a charitable thrift store when they have become too small.

By anon121257 — On Oct 23, 2010

Akadema makes the best baseball gloves on the market. They are the most innovative company with eight US patents on baseball gloves.

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