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- Glove Buying Information - |
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 How to Measure Baseball Gloves
Fielders
gloves and first base mitts are measured by starting at the top of the index
finger of the glove down the finger along the inside of the pocket and then out
to the heal of the glove.
A flexible tape measure has to be used, not a
stiff ruler. Measure from the highest point on the glove (normally the index
finger). Lay the tape measure across the palm of the glove, so that it folds
across and into the indenture, down to the heel of the glove.
Professional baseball has a 12 inch maximum height for a glove,
although this rule has not been strictly enforced. |
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Glove Quality
Higher quality baseball
gloves and mitts are usually distinguished by higher grade leather, better
construction and better design. These work together to produce a glove or mitt
that is durable and helps the ball into and out of the pocket. The highest
quality gloves are usually made of heavy leather that will need some time to
break-in and typically do not have palm pads or Velcro adjustments. |
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Break-In
Most manufacturers agree that a
glove oil or leather conditioner cream should be used as long as it does not
contain silicon. Most manufacturers recommend not using anything that requires a
microwave or an oven.
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Gloves vs Mitts
The main difference
between baseball gloves and mitts is that gloves have fingers and mitts don't.
Mitts tend to do a better job of controlling balls that don't hit in the pocket
and can aid scooping ground balls and short hops. First base and Catcher are the
only positions allowed to use mitts. |
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Female Gloves
Baseball gloves and mitts
that are specified as women's or female are usually designed with narrower
finger stalls and smaller wrist openings to provide a better fit. |
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Youth Gloves
Youth baseball gloves and
mitts typically are designed to be easy to break-in and will sometimes have a
notch in the heel to help the glove break-in correctly. These gloves are usually
designed with smaller finger and wrist openings to better fit smaller hands, and
often have oversized pockets to aid youngsters learning how to catch. |
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First Base Mitts
Most first base mitts are
designed for baseball use and are 12 to 12 1/2 inches. First base mitts have a
thin but stiff pad that runs around the circumference of the mitt and little or
no padding in the palm or finger area. Larger baseball first base mitts can be
effectively used by softball players. Some manufactures will make softball
specific first base mitts. These are usually 13 inches or larger and are not
very common. Many softball first basemen use a 13 to 14 inch softball outfield
glove at first base. |
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Catchers Mitts
Baseball catcher's mitts
usually have a very thick pad around the circumference of the mitt and thick
padding in the palm and finger area and a small pocket. Softball catcher's mitts
are similar to baseball catcher's mitts except the with less padding and a much
larger pocket. |
