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Baseball gloves for each position on the field have certain design features to help the player. Factors to consider are webbing, pockets and size.
There are two types of webbing, open and closed. Middle infielders generally like an open web, which is easier for removal of the ball to make throws. Outfielders and third basemen generally prefer the closed web for added support on hard hit line drives and fly balls. Pitchers like the closed web design because it’s easier to hide the grip on the ball from the batter. The type of pocket in the glove, whether shallow or deep, also depends on the position. Shallow pockets are designed for middle infielders because it’s easier to remove the ball quickly to make throws. The deeper pockets in an outfielder’s glove helps them catch balls more consistently. Gloves also come with an open back or closed back. Outfielders typically like a closed back with a finger hole, which adds addition support for the wrist. First base gloves are unique in the sense that the fingers aren’t separated. This enables the first baseman to scoop throws in the dirt more efficiently. They are also a little longer to aid in fielding ground balls. Generally, a first baseman’s glove is extremely sturdy in order to field a high number of throws. Much like a first baseman’s glove, the catcher’s glove does not separate the fingers. They are also extremely well-padded to absorb a high number of pitches. Keep in mind that youth catcher’s glove will be less than 31 inches in circumference and an adult catcher’s glove will be 32 inches or greater in circumference. Infielders will opt for a smaller glove featuring an I-web or H-web. The size of the glove for pitchers is up to personal preference since they rarely have to field a ball. Most second baseman use a very small glove. The third baseman needs a longer glove due to the proximity to home plate. An outfielder generally likes a longer glove as well to help secure fly balls and cover a bit more ground. These are all just guidelines and every player should test gloves in terms of webbing, pocket, length, style, and color to fit his personal preference.
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What is the Best Leather for Baseball Gloves As you progress as a player choosing the best baseball glove is paramount in your ability to perform on the field. You've got so many things to consider like the weight, the size, the stiffness and probably most importantly, the type of leather. With that, you're probably wondering what is the best leather for baseball gloves? We'll don't worry, we've got you covered. Baseball gloves can be manufactured from a wide array of different types of leather; however the vast majority of can be broken down into 4 primary categories.
Let's take a look at some of characteristics of each type of leather and how they differ from one another. Full-Grain Leather Full-grain leather gloves offer some of the best overall durability and performance; however, they tend to require a much longer break-in time. It has a much stiffer feel than others and the leather is a heavier weight. Overall, these characteristics make it one of the best leathers for baseball gloves. Kip Leather or Kipskin Used in some of the most expensive high-end professional glove models on the market. Kip leather is often lighter in weight than other leathers and as such is often utilized for infield gloves where speed is of the essence. Traditionally, kipskin gloves break-in much quicker than other leathers, like full-grain leather; however their lifespan is not as long as that of the tougher leathers. Steerhide Premium Leather Stroger than cowhide, steerhide premium leather has a heavier and stiffer overall feel. Harvested from the strong back shoulder of steers, It is a much more durable leather than others. It is both difficult to break-in and very hard to wear out; given it's overall durability it is the favored choice of professional baseball players everywhere. Cowhide Leather When it comes to glove quality, cowhide is utilized for the largest number of gloves manufactured. It is typically a medium weight hide, but can be heavier in certain instances. Overall it breaks in quicker than other leathers, but it will also wear out faster than steerhide premium leather. You can often find cowhide leather gloves pre-oiled; this process helps to reduce the time needed to properly break in a new glove. Summary So, what is the best leather for baseball gloves; well that really depends upon the player. To choose the right baseball glove, try starting with a decent cowhide leather glove will help a youth player begin to build a love for the game, but as their skills improve consider a better quality glove that will offer longer playability. The Finding the right youth baseball glove for your son can be tricky, especially for parents who are new to the game. "What length should he use? Should he use a position glove or a versatile glove?" That is why I've decided to put together a startup guide, to help answer those tricky questions when choosing the perfect youth baseball glove.
Before we get into size, I first want to talk about the idea behind brands and whether one is better than the other. You might hear people say that you have to get a certain brand for you to be a better player. In my experience, that is not the case. I have used various different brands throughout my career and it's safe to say the only way you will be better is by working hard and developing your craft. So, when choosing a glove for your player the only thing that matters is the material. The best youth baseball gloves are made of 100% genuine leather so you'll want to choose a good leather glove. This will allow your glove to last a lot longer and be more durable. Now, lets talk about the length of the glove. This all comes down to age age and experience. If you have a very young player who doesn't quite know his position yet, then I would go by these lengths. For a 4 to 6 year old, go for a 10" glove. For a 7 to 9 year old, go for an 11" glove. For a 9+ year old, go for a 12" to 13" glove. If you have an older and more experienced player who know where he wants to play, here are the sizing's I would go with. For an 8 to 13 year old infielder, go for a 10 1/2" to 11 1/2" glove. For an 8 to 13 year old outfielder, go for an 11 1/2" to 12 1/2" glove. For a 14+ year old infielder, go for an 11" to 12" glove. For a 14+ year old outfielder, go for a 12" to 12 3/4" glove. If you have a catcher, then the glove sizing is going to be a little different. If you have a young catcher, you will want to get a catchers mitt that is up to 31" around. If you have an older catcher, you will want to get a mitt that is 32" around or more. The next part is choosing the hand to put it on. If your new to the sport you may not know which hand your son is supposed to wear his glove on. If he is right handed, then he will wear a glove that says "regular" on his left hand. If he is a lefty, he will wear a glove that says "full right" on his right hand. Now there are a bunch of other things like webbing, pockets, and weight that come into play when choosing a glove but that is up to your players preference. When thy start playing more they will figure out what they like more and what they don't like. This article should give you a place to start and help guide you toward the right glove. |