How to Select a Baseball Glove

The first time you were told to select a baseball glove, you were like, “How?” and it is the same with everyone else. However, to have the best chance, you will need to know the parts of a baseball glove and how it’s made.

Also, you will need to know the factors to look for so that you select the best baseball glove every time. All good baseball gloves have certain traits that you need to know about. 

When it comes to how to pick a baseball glove, you should know about the materials, web type, position, and fit & feel. However, these things will come after you answer how to size a baseball glove. For the size of a baseball glove, you should follow the standard baseball glove size chart.

You will have to know which matches your preference for each of these criteria to have the best experience.

Materials

You must select gloves that match your skill level and age for those who want the best baseball gloves. For example, baseball players for the little league can get away with gloves not made with leather, but higher leaguers can’t.

Firstly we have the plastic and synthetic leather gloves, which are best for, as I said above, little league or t-ball players. These gloves are not the best quality, so they are cheap. Additionally, synthetic leather gloves of better quality require no break-in time.

Next is the softened leather baseball gloves are for high school and collegiate level players, but pros can use them too. These are the glove that fit really nice after a little break-in. Also, they offer some great features without breaking your bank.

Finally, we have the pro leather or pro series gloves, which, as the name says, are used by the pro player from MLB teams. Obviously, these gloves aren’t cheap, but some reasonable options are available.

Web Types

After material, you will need to think about the web types of baseball gloves available to you. You should remember that different positions have different types of web patterns for baseball gloves. 

When you think about how to select a baseball glove, web types and glove sizes are two really important things to answer.

For fielders, there are seven web types, and catchers have two web types:

■ Basket: Favourite choice amongst the pitchers since these are so easy to close. This is due to its higher flexibility.

■ Trapeze: These are popular for outfielder gloves since they have a deeper pocket. This is because of a leather strap interlacing each side.

■ Modified Trap: These are used by pitchers, infielders, and outfielders evenly. These ones look similar to the trapeze web due to the leather strap near the web’s top.

■ H-Web: Mainly, outfielders and infielders use this web pattern. The name comes from the H-shaped post made when sewn together. The pattern helps to shake off the dirt and debris.

■ I-Web: Like H-web, the I-web gets its name from the I-shaped web pattern. Infielders use them because the dirt falls out so easily.

■ Single Post: These have a vertical leather strip with two horizontal bars. Also known as Cross web.

■ Two-Piece: Similar to the basket web, it is used mainly by pitchers. While these can be slightly heavy, they do a great job hiding a baseball.

■ Half-Moon: It looks like the two-piece gloves but has greater flexibility like one-piece gloves. 

■ One-Piece: The pattern makes for a shallower and tighter pocket.

Fit & Feel

Firstly look at fit since your gloves need to fit in your hand in a snug manner. At the same time, snug doesn’t mean a tight fit. The glove needs to fit well enough to not fall off with a fast motion.

Secondly, the glove you choose to wear should feel stiff enough to absorb impact. However, it should be flexible enough to close at a moment’s notice. If it doesn’t, then you haven’t broken it in properly.

Finally, you need to choose a baseball glove that looks good as well because the style of glove you pick says something about you.

Position

There are different gloves for different positions on a baseball field, as I said above. The position you play in baseball will need you to wear a particular baseball glove that helps you win.

So when you pick a left-hand or right hand baseball glove, remember about the position you will be playing.

Here are some simple clues that you should keep in mind as you choose a baseball glove:

■ Catchers: Try to pick fingerless gloves like the Rawlings Player Preferred ones to reduce the sting from pitchers’ throws.

■ Pitchers: Make sure to get the ones with closed webs better to hide your pitches from the batters.

■ Outfielders: Try to select the ones with the deepest pockets to have an easier time catching fly balls.

■ Infielders: Do the opposite of outfielders and get the ones with the shallowest pocket for easier glove closing.

Brand

There are multiple brands for baseball gloves, just like there are multiple MLB teams. However, each of these baseball glove brands is at the top of the market because of the features they provide you. 

However, knowing which one you will choose when you are buying a baseball glove is a hard task. If you want to learn more about baseball gloves and other baseball-related topics, bestbaseballreviews can be great.

For an easier time when you select a branded baseball glove, you will know more about the top brands.

■ Rawlings: One of the best baseball equipment suppliers in the world currently. They have a wide selection for all price points.

■ Wilson: Another top choice for baseball gloves and bats. They make use of only the best leather and materials.

■ Lousiville Slugger: One of the oldest brands on the baseball suppliers list. They have a long history of making some quality gloves.

■ Easton: started as an archery supplying company but has now expanded to providing affordable but high-quality baseball gloves and equipment.

■ Nokona: This brand isn’t that well known by amateurs but experienced baseball players know that they make some amazing baseball gloves.

Cost

Cost is the biggest factor for many when choosing a baseball glove, but you shouldn’t worry. While it is hard to answer how much is a baseball glove without knowing other criteria.

To help you get a better idea, here are some pointers to help you out. For those around or under seven, the gloves should cost more than $30-40. For those playing in middle school, a baseball glove should be around $50-70.

For baseball players around the high school or college level, the gloves should be around $100-200. Finally, pro players will need baseball gloves for about $250-350.

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