Baseball Gloves 101

How to find the right glove for your child this baseball season.

Finding the right baseball glove that fits your child’s needs isn’t always easy.

When searching for the right baseball glove, there are several factors to take into consideration. One of the first features to look at is the material the glove is made of. Whether it’s a synthetic, leather or premium leather glove, each level offers something different that might best fit your player’s needs.

SYNTHETIC LEATHER GLOVES

When a player is first introduced to the game through T-Ball or coach pitch, the best choice is a synthetic glove.

This style is comprised of man-made materials or a mix of man-made and leather. These gloves are made of a softer material, making it easier to close, which helps players as they learn the concepts of catching, throwing and fielding.

You also won’t have to go through a breaking in period with these gloves. Synthetic leather is on the lower end of the price scale, so if a player grows out of it, it can be affordable to replace.

Joey Lancianese, DICK'S Sporting Goods Associate and former collegiate baseball player offers some pro tips on synthetic leather gloves: "t-ball, coach pitch, kind of that 8 and under range, you’ll want to stick to a synthetic leather glove. It’s softer, easier to close, so before you develop the strength in your hand, it’s a great introductory way to learn how to throw and catch without digging too deep into the pockets."

LEATHER GLOVES

As your child continues to play the game, you’ll want to upgrade to a leather glove. Leather gloves are typically used for players age 12 through high school. Leather is a bit more expensive than synthetic, but will be a great value.

These gloves tend to be made of a softer leather, so they are easy to close. The overall quality is much higher than a synthetic glove — it’s a noticeable difference. Leather baseball gloves are also easy to break in because of the softer leather they’re made of.

Lancianese suggests that players from age 12 all the way to the high school level could benefit from a leather glover like the Rawlings GG Elite series, "this glove screams value to the parents out there. It’s a softer leather, easier to close but the quality is noticeable."

PREMIUM LEATHER GLOVES

At the top of the baseball glove world is premium leather. These gloves are designed for serious baseball players and are what you see at the pro level.

They are often made of full-grain leather or steer hide and offer an enhanced feel to help raise your game. High quality leather also means it will take longer to break in. Premium leather gloves are more of an investment, but will last overtime. 

"It’s the best quality out there- a little bit more of a price point for the parents but again you’re getting more quality, and it shows through," says Lancianese. "You want to look like your heroes- you look good, feel good, feel good and play good. You can stand out at your next showcase with a pro stock glove."

The glove is arguably the most important piece of equipment a ball player will need for success in the game.  No matter what age or skill level, there’s a baseball glove that fits your child’s playing style.