Need a pro-quality ball glove? Whether you need one glove ora couple different gloves, we provide what you need to make the play. There are several points to consider when choosing a ball glove. Listed below is some information to help you decide what glove is best for you and your position.
Baseball Supplier.com supplies pro-quality gloves by Akadema, Nokona, Rawlings, and Wilson/DeMarini.
For even more information, check out our info pages on how to break in a ball glove and custom embroidered ball gloves.
Our wide selection of ball gloves include infield gloves, outfield gloves, catchers mitts, first base mitts, softball gloves, youth baseball gloves. These gloves are great for little league baseball, high school baseball or softball, college baseball or softball, and senior league baseball.
Premium pro-quality baseball gloves include the Rawlings Heart of the Hide baseball glove, Wilson A2000, Wilson A3000, Rawlings PROS151C, Rawlings Pro preferred glove, Akadema Praying Mantis baseball gloves, and Akadema Reptilian baseball gloves.
Gloves versus mitts. Only the first base and the catcher positions use baseball mitts - they use either a first base mitt or a catchers mitt. The primary difference between baseball gloves and baseball mitts is that baseball gloves have fingers and baseball mitts do not. Baseball mitts are better at controlling balls that are hit outside the glove pocket to help scoop up those errant throws to first or wild pitches. A first base mitt will be larger in circumference than the catchers mitt. The catchers mitt will feature more padding than a first base mitt.
Position / Use. Baseball gloves and mitts are various sizes and shapes depending on the position for which they will be used. Pitchers gloves and infield gloves are generally smaller than an outfielder's glove; first baseman's gloves and catchers mitts are designed differently (see description above about gloves versus mitts). For playing multiple positions, a utility glove (which is larger than an infielder's glove) may be a good choice.
For most positions, open webbing or closed webbing is personal preference - however the way the gloves are categorized below is a general tendency that can help in the baseball glove buying decision.
Open web gloves - Outfielders and Third Basemen - Open web gloves trap the ball better than closed web gloves.
Closed web gloves - Middle Infielders and Pitchers - Closed web gloves get the ball out of the pocket a little quicker. They also can be useful in hiding the ball for pitchers.
Open back gloves - generally middle infielders - An open back glove offers more comfort and flexibility for smaller glove patters that do not require the support of a closed back design.
Closed back gloves - generally Outfielders - The larger patterns 12 1/4" and larger require more support around the back of the hand to keep the glove from coming loose or off during a catch.
Comfort. The baseball glove / mitt must feel comfortable and "right". Discomfort or a poor fit will probably affect performance and the long run cost, since you may soon be looking for a new glove / mitt.
Budget / Cost. As is the case with most things, quality baseball gloves / mitts generally cost more, and of course will last longer. Baseball gloves / mitts range in price - from $30 to over $200. For a glove / mitt that will receive heavy and/or long term use, it may be more cost effective to buy a more expensive glove / mitt. Younger players who may quickly outgrow their baseball glove / mitt may want to wait until their growth has reached a plateau, so their glove / mitt will fit for a long period of time.
Youth. As mentioned above, youth baseball players who may quickly outgrow their baseball glove / mitt may want to wait until their growth has reached a plateau, so their glove / mitt will fit for a long period of time. A common, costly, and uncomfortable mistake is to get a large glove / mitt for a small child. This can affect performance, comfort, and long term budget. See Age and Size section below for discussion about sizing.
Age and Size. Gloves / mitts are measured from the heel of the glove (near the wrist) to the top of the glove on the palm side (near the fingers).
Adult Outfielders gloves - 12 inch to 13 inch
Adult Infielders & Pitchers gloves / mitts - 10 ¾ inch to 12 inch
Youth gloves / mitts - 8 inch (very small ) to 11 inch (Note - 8 year olds can often use 11 inch gloves / mitts, while teenagers often can use 12 inch gloves / mitts)
Professional gloves / mitts - no more than 12 ¾ inches for baseball and 14 inches for softball.
