A fielding glove is one of the most important tools you’ll need in the game of baseball. It is the final piece to that spectacular diving catch in the outfield. Each baseball and softball glove is created differently in terms of size and material. You need to understand the size of the glove according to the position you are going to play in the game but there are also other factors that help you determine exactly which glove you required.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT GLOVE?

A good baseball glove can give your defensive game a boost but the right one depends on many factors like type of leather, the position you play, and web patterns sort of knowledge that you need to gain before you search the market. Our goal is to equip you with the kind of information that gives you the best chance to succeed in any situation in your game. Most ballplayers can make the routine play but we want to see you succeed with extraordinary play.

TOP 5 BEST BASEBALL GLOVES IN 2019

A baseball glove is an essential accessory to play on the field. It comes in all shapes and sizes with different web designs.
Here are some of the most popular and top-rated baseball gloves for this season all in one easy to read comparison table.

1- Rawlings Player Preferred Adult Baseball/Softball Glove Series

Rawlings baseball gloves have been developed and created some of the game’s most memorable gloves. It has retained its promise for supplying pro and youth players through the generations with high-quality, high-performance gear that has been standing for a long time.

Rawlings Player Preferred Baseball Glove is the best baseball glove overall with a variety of sizes to fit all field positions and is made of genuine full-grain oiled leather. The special feature includes zero palm padding to absorb ball impact and protect your hand, make it an excellent choice for all kinds of baseball players. This glove series offering full-grain oiled leather shells for easy and quick break-in with all leather laces for a durable and strong approach. It is designed for all ages and skill levels by covering baseball, softball and recreational leagues at the same time.

2- Franklin Sports Baseball and Softball Glove

The Franklin Field Master Series offers an extensive line of quality baseball and softball gloves for recreational and pro players. It is famous for sizes, shapes and web designs with exceptional fit and comfort. This glove is a perfect solution for all sorts of players and skill levels. It is available in different hand orientations and various sizes.

This series of the glove is manufactured with a premium soft synthetic material that is extremely lightweight and responsive to break-in. The features that make this piece an art come with an adjustable wrist strap and contour system for a customizable thumb adjustment. Overall it will give the best performance on the field with its durability, maximum comfort, and responsive feel.

3- Rawlings Renegade Baseball/Softball Glove Series

The Rawlings Renegade Glove series delivers high-quality at an excellent and affordable price with all its great features. The glove is good for both baseball and softball players working in any position on the field. This glove is made with a full-grain oil-tanned leather material with Pro mesh back. It is lightweight but durable at the same time. The features like Velcro straps and palm pads offer added impact protection, performance, and design for all the necessities required in making your game super.

This is the most comfortable glove that is easy to break-in, forms a nice pocket, and it works great for both softball and baseball but is stellar for regular baseball.

4- Wilson A2000 Baseball Glove Series

Wilson has been the Official Glove of Major League Baseball for years. The A200 is its most famous infield gloves of the year. This glove is designed with Pro stock leather. Dri-Lex is the modern technology to take the sweat off, keep the hands dry and odor-free along with providing a comfortable feel at the same time. The dual wetting feature is also great to give this glove a more durable and solid life. So it is one of the great gloves in the market now that has a lot of attention to detail.

5- Wilson A900 Baseball Glove Series

Wilson A900 Baseball Glove Series proves that these gloves are the best pick for getting ahead of the game. This glove got some great features in it such as a fully versatile Pedroia fit that means the glove is specially designed for players with smaller hands. The double palm construction makes it shock absorbent for catching the ball with comfort. It also features full leather construction with long-term durability and flexibility to break-in easily. The Wilson A900 series is a great and game-ready durable glove especially for infielders in the combination of quality, affordability and right skill level.

BEST BASEBALL GLOVE GUIDE

BEST TYPES Of GLOVES FOR EACH POSITION:

There are normally five main positions in baseball. It is easy to find the right type of glove according to the position a player is holding in the game. It’s always better to know for common types of the glove in the market these days so buying a glove designed for your position is probably worth it even if it’s a bit more expensive.

We are providing below some main position glove types:

1. Pitcher’s Glove

A pitcher can normally use any kind of infield glove as he is trying to deceive the batter, a closed web that hides the ball and handgrip from the batter would be a perfect choice for him.

2. Catcher’s gloves

A catcher has to catch the fast thrown balls at high speed so he must protect his hands. These are heavily padded, fingerless, larger than other types of gloves and built to handle high speed throws. A shallow pocket allows easy access for fast throws. A common catcher’s mitt size is around 32 inches.

3. First Baseman

First baseman gloves are special due to the length which is 13 inches long for helping extend the reach and wild throws. It got a unique curved style to the edge especially in picking and scooping balls thrown in the dirt.

4. Infielders

Infielder gloves are smaller in size with shallow pockets. They facilitate a quick delivery with safety. These gloves usually have open backs for excellent flexibility and ultra-fast reflex catches.

5. Outfielders

This type of glove has a deep pocket perfect for reaching over the fence to track down fly balls from popping out of the glove. The outfielders usually have longer gloves than any other player’s type of glove on the field.

MATERIAL:

There are several gloves usually made from a variety of leather types that affects the look, feel, durability, break-in time, and price of your glove. Here you’ll get a good range of information about each type of leather has to offer:

1. Synthetic Leather

Synthetic leather is most commonly use that greatly reduces the weight of the glove but maintains its flexibility and durability at the same time. It is very affordable, great for newer players.

2. Full-grain Leather

When the natural grain of the steer hide or cow is being left by the manufacturers, it is known as full-grain leather. The glove will be stiffer and heavier than other leather gloves on leaving the natural grain on it. This is the highest grade leather by providing excellent durability as well as breathability.

3. Cowhide

Cowhide is usually medium weight with greatest range of quality. This grade usually comes as “Pre-oiled” to reduce break-in time. Cowhide is not as durable as steer hide but does have a shorter break-in time. A cowhide glove is a great place to start for young or recreational players.

4. Premium Steer hide

Steer hide is usually taken from the shoulder of a grown steer. Steer hide is a premium-level
material used in baseball gloves perfect for pro players. This material is stiffer, heavier, and
more durable compared to other types of leather with longer break-in periods.

5. Kip Skin

Kip leather is a high-end glove due to its lightweight that help players speed up their transitions of the baseball from the glove to the throwing hand. Gloves that are made from kip leather are also easier to break in and nearly as durable as top-grain leather gloves.

BACKING

Backing is the part of the glove that rests on the back of your hand. This is either an open or closed design and tends to be more of a personal preference thing, as both open and closed backed gloves offer similar performance.

PADDING

Padding preference is another important thing to consider. The amount of padding on glove depends on the position of player. Catcher’s glove has more padding to protect their hands from pitchers’ throws while other positions, such as first and third base, may also need more padding. Recently, the popularity of extra wrist padding has tremendously increased, especially at the corner infield positions.

GLOVeE SIZING

Glove size mostly depends on your position such as simply fielding the ball and the ability to make a quick transfer from glove to throwing hand is the most important factor for an infielder. We are providing more about positions and size of adult gloves below in the chart:

WEBBING:

The webbing connects the thumb of the glove to the rest of the finger slots as it is the part that folds and expands the easiest, creating the “basket” to assists the player in catching the ball. Glove manufacturers have given all sorts of various names for their special webs, but open and closed webs are commonly known.

Closed webs have a tight woven pattern of leather that features no gaps in the webbing. Open webs are cross-like patterns of leather pieces to create gaps which the player can see through for tracking fly balls. Open webbing also lets dirt to fall out through the spaces.
Webbing knowledge is an important factor in determining position and preferences whether a player prefers a lighter or heavier, flexible or visible, loosely-stitched or tightly-stitched glove, web type affects all of it. So let’s get to know about the type of web patterns to acquire a baseball glove meant for your hand.

1. Basket web:

Basket web gloves are designed to hide the ball in the glove. They are usually used by catchers and pitchers, as well as some middle infielders. They’re pretty easy to close with extra flexibility in the design.

2. Trapeze web:

Trapeze web gloves are used almost exclusively by outfielders. This design has a deep pocket for maximum catching range and allows for visibility while shielding the sun from the eyes. Trapeze web pattern consists of a thin leather strap that connects to either side with interwoven laces.

3. Modified trap web:

The modified trapeze web is a versatile design that can be used by outfielders, infielders, and pitchers. It’s differentiated by a section of leather added to the top of the web to help bring more stability to the glove.

4. H/dual/double post & I web:

These are commonly used by outfielders and third basemen. The H-Web design is also known as dual or double post web, offers a sturdy yet flexible structure while providing the ability to see through webbing for pop-ups. This is the widest pocket available for infielders and outfielders as well.

The I Web designs are used mostly by middle infielders for its open webbing, which allows dirt to fall out and not get stuck while fielding and throwing a ball. It also helps shield the sun from fly balls.

5. Single post/T web:

This web is formed by horizontal and vertical strips of leather together. The single post offers both visibility and flexibility at the same time while primarily used by the first baseman. This is a simple design and the most versatile webbing for any position.

6. Two-piece web:

This is a perfect web pattern for pitchers and infielders both as the two-piece closed web design offers an easy place to hide the player’s hand and the ball while on the mound. It is a simple design and re-lacing is easier as well.

CONCLUSION

The Selection of a baseball glove is a little trickier for those who are especially new to the game, but the right information and a little practical knowledge can make your purchase worth your time and money. A great-performing baseball glove is on his way to be a part of you for many seasons to come!

Sarah Ali

Sarah Ali is a Blogger and Writer by profession. Sarah's passion for writing and blogging contributes to excel her as an all-rounder in her writing career.

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