If you are a baseball player, it is crucial to find the right size glove for your hand. A glove that is too big or too small will result in serious consequences while playing the game of baseball.
There are several ways to measure hand size for baseball gloves which we will discuss below.
Measuring Hand Size For Baseball Gloves (How To Measure Hand Size For Baseball Gloves)
To measure the size of a baseball glove, start at the tip of the index finger and work your way up the hand to the heel of your hand. Most baseball gloves aren’t larger than 12.5 inches in length. When shopping for a catcher’s mitt, you’ll notice that it has a size range of 32.5 to 34 inches.
Choose a tight-fitting glove. Gloves that are too large for your hand may be uncomfortable to wear and hinder your performance. Gloves must have enough stiffness to provide robustness while yet being flexible enough to allow for precision and quick response.
When measuring, these are the factors to consider:
Your Index Finger
When your index finger is in the glove, it should have a snug fit. You don’t want room for more than one finger because that will affect how well you’re able to grip and catch the ball.
To find out how big a baseball glove should be, start with the tip of your index finger and follow the palm down to the heel. Most baseball gloves are less than 12.5 inches long. You’ll come across several different models of catchers’ mitts. The size of the glove is between 32.5 and 34 inches, depending on the brand, as mentioned above.
Infielders generally stick their fingers out. The padding on these gloves is better against line drives and throws from the catcher, thanks to the second-layer leather. After all, fielders like tiny gaps so that they may remove the ball from their gloves faster.
Ball Diameter
The size of the ball also factors into how big a baseball glove should be. It can range from four to five inches in diameter, depending on the league.
For little leaguers or players still learning their way around infield positions, we recommend smaller gloves that fit between 8 and 15 inches. This is because it’s much easier for them to control a smaller ball.
Batsmen in the cricket world use gloves that are 16 to 21 inches, which is also the standard size for women’s baseball gloves. Although they won’t have as much surface area as men’s gloves, this gives them a better grip on the bat and helps protect their hands from being hit by the ball.
Your Hand’s Circumference
The circumference of your hand is also an important measurement to consider when buying a baseball glove. This can be easily done with a piece of string or cloth and a ruler. Wrap the string around the widest part of your palm and make sure it’s not too tight or too loose.
Players with larger hands should go for gloves that have a bigger circumference. This will help provide more space to move your fingers around, so you can catch the ball better.
Likewise, if you have smaller hands then a glove with less circumference should work fine. Just make sure that there are no wrinkles on the palm area or it may end up being too loose for your hand and affect your ability to grip the ball.
Thin Gloves
If you’re looking for thin baseball gloves, go with ones that are about 12 inches in length. This adds extra range to your play on the field and makes it easier to catch balls.
Thick Gloves
Extra thick or padded gloves typically measure more than 15 inches long. These types of mitts offer a better grip when catching fastballs and provide more cushioning for your hand.
Other Factors in Choosing Your Baseball Gloves
Aside from the listed above guide to measuring your hand size, here are some more factors to consider when choosing your baseball gloves.
Level of Protection
When looking for a glove, you should also consider the level of protection it offers. If you’re playing in an outdoor environment and your hand is susceptible to cuts, then choose a glove with more padding.
Versatility
Some gloves are designed to be more versatile than others. For example, a catcher’s mitt can also be used as an infielder’s glove or vice versa. If you’re not sure which position you’ll be playing the most, it might be a good idea to get a glove that offers more versatility.
Position of Play
Different positions require different types of gloves. Outfielders and first basemen, for example, require bigger mitts than infield players with less surface area to cover. So if you’re not sure about your position yet, make sure to ask an expert before buying a glove.
Durability
Baseball gloves can last anywhere from a few months to a couple of years, depending on how often you play and the type of glove you buy. If you’re looking for a long-term investment, then go for a more durable glove that will stand up to frequent use.
Price
The last thing that should factor into how big a baseball glove should be is the price. Although it’s important to have a glove that fits your hand size, you don’t need to break the bank trying out different sizes just because they’re on sale or affordable.
Gloves are expensive enough as is so if you can find one that fits without spending much, then go for it! Just make sure not to purchase a glove that’s too small or too large for your hand.
Benefits of Using the Right Size Baseball Glove
When choosing a baseball glove and the right size, you consider factors before buying. While you do that, there are a couple of benefits, like:
1. The player gets used to holding a glove or mitt of the right size which would assist him significantly in playing well. For younger players, this practice starts from the tee-ball set up which has been proved as one of the best tools for training kids at a young age.
2. Players who use the same glove forever have an increased chance of getting used to the right size, which ensures that it will be easier for them to catch the ball if not all.
3. With an appropriate glove, there is increased comfort and increased grip on the ball. This means more control of the game and enhances chances of success if you are playing competitively. This is why young kids should use smaller gloves since they are still learning basic skills, so the player can adjust to the size of the ball.
4. The right glove enhances chances of catching fast pitches which are not easy by nature.
5. A glove that fits well will enhance the chances of preventing injury while playing or practicing for baseball games. This is because the players get used to the size of the glove they use which acts as a second skin with increased protection.
6. With an appropriate glove, the player has improved chances of getting used to that same feel with time and experience in playing baseball.
8. With the right size, there is reduced stress on the hand for smaller players.
9. When you are playing baseball, it’s better to start young because this will help you get used to using one or two gloves that fit perfectly over time.
10. The right glove ensures that the player has increased chances of enjoying his game since he can play more comfortably as well as for a prolonged period.
Why is it Not Good to Use an Oversized Baseball Glove?
You may be surprised to find out that not all 11-inch baseball gloves are the same. And if you choose an oversize glove, thinking it will make for a larger catching area, you could end up with something more harmful than helpful.
Glove makers’ sizes are only guidelines, and manufacturers know their customers don’t always buy gloves based purely on a numerical size. A catcher buying an 11-inch glove is going to make sure it offers the right fit, whether it’s close in size to his previous glove or bigger by a few inches.
Using an oversized baseball glove will lead to:
– A smaller pocket, which may be dangerous to the player’s fingers
– A glove that is too heavy for them to use properly
– Reduced mobility in the wrist, elbow, shoulder or thumb joints
If they are having trouble catching balls with their oversized glove because it feels uncomfortable or restricting, they should think about buying a better-fitting glove. They should also avoid setting it aside in favor of a glove that is more comfortable, or they may find themselves stuck with a glove they cannot use later on.
- An 11-inch baseball glove is not going to seem very big when a player first gets his hands on it. And while he may get the feeling that he has plenty of room to catch the ball, that may not be the case.
- A glove’s size is measured from heel to tip of the glove’s longest finger. A 13-inch baseball glove has a pocket 13 inches long, and so on. The length of the fingers combined with how they are bunched together in the palm of the glove creates the “pocket,” and that is where the player catches or holds the ball.
- The pocket of an 11-inch glove will measure about 9 inches, give or take a few centimeters because it’s shorter than most other gloves. A 12-inch glove creates a 9 1/2-inch pocket, while a 14-inch one can make a 10-inch pocket.
- A ballplayer who is used to catching with an 11-inch glove might use one that is 13 inches long, for example, and find out too late that he has more trouble catching balls.
As a result of this discovery, some players buy extra-large baseball gloves without measuring first to make sure they are buying the correct size.
Qualities of an Excellent Baseball Glove
A baseball glove can be a very expensive purchase that will be in use for several years, being exposed to dirt and oils from your skin. You should therefore pay close attention when buying a new glove.
Baseball gloves come with different qualities and some of these come with better prices than others. Top-quality gloves can be expensive, while others are less so. It is best to decide the amount you want to pay for a baseball glove, and then specifically search for what kind of features said glove has.
Grease – If the seams of your hand are exposed or itchy when using your new glove, you need to use a batting glove or baseball glove oil. This will help lubricate the inside of your glove, making it more flexible and easy to break-in.
There are many brands of batting glove oils on the market nowadays. Be sure to read the label first before applying it to your new glove so you can avoid using too much oil, which will cause your hand to stick to the glove.
Fit – The fit of your glove should be perfect. The finger stalls should be snug but also provide good mobility, and they should feel natural in your hand. Choose a bigger model if you want one that will not limit you when catching fly balls while choosing a smaller model can provide better control over the ball.
A baseball glove is an investment in which you should not cut corners when choosing the right one. If it is difficult for you to decide what kind of model would be best, you can go to a store that offers glove fitting so you can try them all out before deciding.
Adjustability – Some models have adjustable wrist straps while others do not, but some have both. If you have a very wide hand, for example, choose a model that has an adjustable wristband so you can tighten it or loosen it, according to the width of your hand.
Palm – The palm of your new baseball glove should have a good grip so you can firmly hold on to the ball while making a catch or playing catch with an outfielder. Also, it should have a tacky material to provide better grip on the ball.
Materials – Gloves are made from leather, synthetic or mesh materials. Mesh is lightweight and breathable, yet it does not last as long as leather because it stretches out easily. Leather lasts longer but it takes time to break in because it is thicker and stiffer than other materials. It also needs more care and maintenance. Keep in mind that all gloves come with laces, but not all of them have Velcro straps.
Make sure the palm of your baseball glove has a good grip and is made from a material that can be easily cleaned after each practice or game. It should also last for several years without stretching out.
Position – Each position in baseball requires a certain type of glove for protection and performance enhancement. For example, catchers require larger and more protective gloves while corner players use smaller ones so they can catch the ball easily.
The position you play will influence your choice of the glove too, but remember that even if you’re a shortstop, for example, there are still some qualities that all gloves have in common regardless of their intended position. This is because all players need to be able to catch and throw the ball.
- Infielders will need a glove that’s easy to close and wipe the dirt from, while outfielders prefer a larger model for easier catching.
- A catcher requires a very protective model that will not limit his/her ability to move around the field, while an outfielder would need a larger glove with less mobility.
- A first baseman or third baseman, on the other hand, only needs protection and no elaborate features because they will mostly use their gloves for catching throws from the outfielders.
First base gloves are usually larger than other models because they need to protect the whole hand, including the thumb and pinky finger. A mitt, which is what first baseman and catchers use, has no “fingers” on the inside surface. The catcher aims to protect their hand from the incoming pitch while also making the glove more durable – this is the most specialized glove and has nothing in common with other gloves.
First base mitts also have extra padding on the outside surface, but they do not have a pocket either. They are often 12-14 inches in size and they can be made from soft leather or durable synthetic materials for easy maintenance.
Infielders use different types of gloves too – most of them use a simple model that is usually 10-12 inches in size, has no contour design, and is made from lighter material. The main reason for this glove type is flexibility.
The pocket of an infielder’s model is formed by the webbing between the thumb and index finger while the other two fingers are used to hold the ball. Various cushioning materials offer support and shock absorption around the wrist and palm.
Conclusion
It is important to choose the right glove for the right position because this will make you more comfortable and confident on the field, allowing you to perform at your best. A model that doesn’t fit your hand properly will only cause problems later on, but opting for a larger size will leave lots of space inside the glove which means that you won’t be able to catch the ball properly.
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