How to Measure Baseball Gloves?

How to measure baseball gloves

Have you been wondering how to measure baseball gloves? If you are a baseball player or planning to start soon, you know your success in the game relies heavily on how prepared you are. To kick-start your baseball sporting journey, ensure you have the right attire for the game.

Unlike other outdoor sports, you need a pair of baseball gloves to play the game effectively. But do you know your perfect glove size? One that will protect you and ensure you perform at your best? In this article, we will show you simple ways on how to measure baseball gloves.

Getting the Measurements

When you check the baseball gloves’ thumb or pinky finger area, you will notice the engravings that indicate the glove size for that particular glove. Most baseball glove brands have a size ranging between 8 inches and 15 inches. Likewise, the catcher’s mitts come at a glove size of 35 inches.

Not all baseball glove brands come with the respective sizes engraved on them. If your baseball gloves have no markings for size on the thumb or pinky finger area, knowing how to measure baseball gloves on your own becomes essential.

Use a measuring tape to determine the length between the tip of the index finger and midsection of the glove’s heel. Ensure the tape touches the glove alongside the line. With your accurate measurement taken, refer back to the manufacturer’s sizing chart.  Check your dimensions against the sizing chart to know how the manufacturer labels the baseball gloves.

Glove Size for Your Position

For each of the nine baseball positions, you’ll need a unique baseball size for optimal performance. The center fielders use a smaller and fuller baseball glove. The second baseman uses the smallest baseball glove size measuring between 10.5 inches and 11.25 inches.

The pitcher’s mitt features a closed web. Most players in this position prefer a baseball glove size of between 11.50 inches and 12.50 inches depending on the webbing construction.

Shortstop uses baseball glove of sizes ranging between 11.25 inches and 11.75 inches. The third baseman uses a baseball glove of size 11.75 inches.

It is important to note that most adult baseball gloves measure above 13 inches. Such sizes are ideal for the outfielders. Therefore, as you contemplate how to measure baseball gloves especially for infielders, keep in mind that each manufacturer has altered their sizing chart to suit their customer base.

Wilson, Mizuno, and Rawling baseball glove brands have slightly different baseball glove sizes for the same position.

If you intend to play multiple positions, pick a baseball glove that fits the outfielders. Be careful, however, not to pick gloves that are too big and cumbersome on the field. The right glove size facilitates a productive training session, especially for a beginner.

Glove Size for Your Position

Glove Size for Your Age Group

Another way on how to measure baseball gloves is basing it on your age bracket. If you are picking a baseball glove for a child of between 5 years and seven years, the baseball glove should be between 7 inches to 9 inches. Kids aged eight years go 12 years use 10 inches to 12 inches glove size.

Anyone above the age of 13 years may use a glove measuring 11 inches and above. These measurements apply to both baseball and softball gloves.

Conclusion

Whichever position you hold on your baseball team or how old you are, it is crucial that you know how to measure baseball gloves and pick the right size that will boost your training. Manufacturers have slightly altered the baseball glove size to suit player’s preference, webbing style, wrist adjustments for players tackling multiple positions and the level of padding. Remember to go back to the basics and utilize a tape measure to confirm your baseball glove size.

18 thoughts on “How to Measure Baseball Gloves?”

  1. This is definitely something that would’ve come in handy back when I played. I noticed that you mention different glove sizes for the nine positions, but what is the actual purpose of say, the second basemen and center fielder having smaller gloves as opposed to the pitcher and positions with larger gloves?

    Reply
    • Hi, Todd Matthews and thank you.

      Thank you for your kind words.

      Like you mention the players use different sizes of gloves. The players in the positions you name use the smallest ones, but the reason is that it helps them to be quicker to get the ball out of the gloves.

      And that is very important because then they maximize the benefit of double plays. The double play is explained very well in this article here, but the basic idea is to refer to as the turning two. It is described very well in this article.

      If I can help you with anything else, or if you have any questions, don´t hesitate to contact me.

      Reply
  2. This is a great tip keeping in mind that there are a number of different glove types, including differences in thrower, pockets, color, webbing, etc and those can all be based on personal preference or position. I really learnt more from this post. Keep up the good work. My question is that, What is a normal hand size for baseball gloves, I mean the average and most common size that is widely used? 

    Reply
    • Hi, Ayodeji and thank you.

      Thank you for your kind words.

      Great to hear your benefit on the article.

      About average size for hands. You can say that the average hand size of men is from 8,5 to 10 inch. And for women is it 7-8 inch. It is very informational about it here.

      If I can help you with anything else, or if you have any questions, don´t hesitate to contact me.

      Reply
  3. Hi

    I’m not a baseball fan and I’m not sure of going into it as a career sooner or later. I’m just a fan. But whenever I see quality article that will be helpful to other readers, I stop to say a word or two about the article. 

    I know one of these day, I may be of a help to someone in terms of baseball glove measurement, so my question is, is there baseball gloves for people with tiny palm? 

    Reply
    • Hi, Sammynathaniels and thank you.

      Thank you for your kind words.

      Yes, it is no problem to get gloves for small hands.

      If I can help you with anything else, or if you have any questions, don´t hesitate to contact me.

      Reply
  4. Thank you so much for this informative post.  Now I know how to choose the correct the right size for my kid’s age bracket. I have a question: Do you think Rawling brand can be a starter glove for my kid who is 11 years old?  She is just starting out to play baseball and I still do not know if she will play it on a regular basis.  She will be using it basically for center fielder.

    Reply
    • Hi, Francis and thank you.

      Thank you for your kind words.

      Great to hear your benefit on the article.

      Yes, there is no risk at all to use the Rawlings. Rawling, and Wilson, and Mizuno which I mention in the article is all famous for outstanding quality.

      Good luck.

      If I can help you with anything else, or if you have any questions, don´t hesitate to contact me.

      Reply
  5. This was an interesting read.  I understand that you advice to choose your baseball gloves size by measuring from the index finger and midsection of the glove’s heel. This is my question : what do you mean by the gloves heel?  Bear with me,  I am a complete novice. Is it just like the heel of your hand?  Also,  I will like to know if I need to worry about the Diameter of the glove’s fingers ( are those standard for all manufacturers)? 

    Reply
    • Hi, Denise and thank you.

      Thank you for your kind words.

      Great to hear your benefit on the article.

      The heel is the lower part of the palm. So, yes, it is the lowest part of the baseball gloves too. I understood you very well about this, no worries!

      About the second question, if the manufacturers use standard sizes.

      Manufacturers have slightly altered the baseball glove size to suit player’s preference, webbing style, wrist adjustments for players tackling multiple positions and the level of padding. But more or less you can use starnand sizes.

      Good luck.

      If I can help you with anything else, or if you have any questions, don´t hesitate to contact me.

      Reply
  6. Wow! There is so much one doesn’t know when you are a total newbie. Was just snooping around to see what knowledge I can acquire in this field as I want my little one to go into practice soon. 

    Never even knew at some point I would have to go into tailoring ( just kidding) but then I am glad to have stumbled upon your article.

    I am better prepared now, knowing what to lookout for when getting his gloves.

    Cheers..

    Reply
    • Hi, Queen and thank you.

      Thank you for your kind words.

      Good to hear about your benefits of the article.

      If I can help you with anything else, or if you have any questions, don´t hesitate to contact me.

      Reply
  7. A very timely read for a Granddad about watch his grandson enter into a new baseball season this year. 

    I have written down the measurement techniec you have suggested, which I will use to get the right size of glove for my seven year old grandson. 

    Which of the manufacturers that you have listed would you recommend? Is there a better brand for a seven year old? He will be playing on a school team in a month and then carry on through the summer with our town league. At this stage these boys don’t really have a prefered position so he would need a versatile glove.

    The information in your article should be mandatory for coaches and parents alike. I intend to pass this along to my grandson’s coach so he may pass this along to the parents of our team.

    Murray

    Reply
    • Hi, Murray and thank you.

      Thank you for your kind words.

      Great to hear your benefit on the article.

      I can recommend all these three brands I mention in the article. All of its focus on much quality and it is little risk buying from them in the view of quality and design.

      If I can help you with anything else, or if you have any questions, don´t hesitate to contact me.

      Reply
  8. Is there a universal baseball glove sizing.between the various manufacturers?

    How is a person who plays different positions on the field, to choose what size baseball glove to get?

    Do I have to buy several gloves if I play in different positions on the field?

    Why is there no concensus between makers on their sizing of gloves?

    Reply
    • Hi, Robert Trevor and thank you.

      Like in some sports you need different equipment for each position to maximize your performance. For example, if you use gloves for another position when you play in the second baseman, you slow down the game for your team, which is of course very bad when you are trying to win the game. But having said that you can buy a glove which you can use in all position. That is not a problem.

      But similar happens in many sports. For example, the length of the sticks in lacrosse is different between position. In soccer, it is vital to use different types of shoes if you play in defense rather than attack because forwards need lighter shoes with equipment to run fast when defender need their shoes to be designed to not fall in wet grass for example.

      If I can help you with anything else, or if you have any questions, don´t hesitate to contact me.

      Reply
  9. A good way to do this is to wear the glove with your arm down by your side. If the glove feels like sliding off, it may be too large, or the hand opening might be too big.

    Reply
    • Hi, Tom Brian, and thank you.

      Yes, it is a good way too.

      Don’t hesitate to contact me to help you with anything else or if you have any questions.

      Reply

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