How Big Should My Baseball Glove Be?

A common question we get here at the baseball glove experts is, “How big should my baseball glove be?” Here’s a quick answer to help you make sure you’re getting the right size glove for you.

Age

The size of your baseball glove should depend on your age. If you are a youth player, you should get a glove that is between 11 and 12 inches. If you are an adult, you should get a glove that is between 12 and 14 inches. If you are a professional player, you should get a glove that is between 14 and 16 inches.

T-Ball

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been playing for a while, you’ll need to find the right baseball glove for your age, position and playing style. If you’re a child just starting out in T-Ball, you’ll need a smaller glove that is easy to catch and throw with. As you progress and move up to bigger leagues, you may need a different glove that is better suited for your position. Here is a guide to help you find the perfect baseball glove for your age group.

T-Ball
For children ages 4-7 playing T-Ball, we recommend an 11.5” – 12” glove. This size is perfect for kids just starting out because it is small and easy to catch with.

Little League
For children ages 8-12 playing Little League, we recommend a 12” – 13” glove. This size is perfect for kids who are ready to move up from T-Ball because it is big enough to catch with, but not too big or unwieldy.

Little League

For players in Little League, we recommend a glove size between 11” – 12.75”. In terms of age, this is typically for players ages 5 – 12 years old. For Little League, you don’t necessarily need a specialized glove, but it may be easier for younger players to handle a smaller glove.

Position

The size of your baseball glove should be relative to your position. For example, an outfielder’s glove will be larger than an infielder’s glove. A catcher’s glove is the largest of all gloves, while a first baseman’s glove is the smallest.

Infield

The size of a baseball glove for an infielder is important, but so is the webbing. The webbing connects the thumb and forefinger, and it’s important to have a firm grip on the ball. Look for a smaller glove if you’re an infielder. A good rule of thumb is that your glove shouldn’t be more than two inches above your elbow.

Outfield

An outfielder’s glove is usually the biggest on the team. Outfield gloves can range in size from 11 to 14 inches. The biggest gloves are reserved for first basemen and can be as big as 16 inches.

Size

As a general rule, the size of your baseball glove should be proportional to your height and weight. A good rule of thumb is that a glove should be about four inches longer than the distance from your wrist to your fingertips. If you are a tall and/or heavy individual, you may want to go with a larger size. The size of your glove also depends on what position you play.

Length

The size of your baseball glove is important for two reasons. First, a glove that is too big will be difficult to control and may slow down your reactions. Second, a glove that is too small will not provide enough padding and may cause you to miss more balls. So, how do you find the right size?

There are two main factors to consider when determining the length of your baseball glove: your height and the position you play. In general, the taller you are, the longer the glove should be. For infielders, a good rule of thumb is to choose a glove that comes up to between your chin and nose. For outfielders, a longer glove is often better because it gives you more range when trying to catch fly balls. As a general guideline, an outfielder’s glove should be about 10 inches longer than an infielder’s glove.

The width of your baseball glove is also important. If the fingers are too wide apart, the ball may fall out when you try to catch it. If the fingers are too close together, it will be difficult to get your hand in and out of the glove. The best way to find a gloves that fits well is to try it on before you buy it. Make sure you can flex your hand comfortably and that the fingers are not too far apart or too close together.

Width

The size of your glove is important, but so is the width. You don’t want a glove that’s too wide or too narrow for your hand. We recommend measuring your hand to find the right width for you.

To measure your hand, wrap a tape measure around your palm just below your knuckles (not including your thumb). Make a fist and note the measurement in inches. Then, refer to the chart below to find the appropriate width for your baseball glove.

Hand Width in Inches Glove Width in Inches
4″ – 4 ⅜” 8″ – 8 ⅛”
4 ½” – 4 ¾” 8 ½” – 8 ¾”
4 ⅞” – 5 ¼” 9″ – 9 ½”
5 ⅜” – 5 ⅞” 10

Material

If you ask 10 different baseball coaches you’ll probably get 10 different answers. However, here are some general guidelines to follow when choosing a baseball glove. If you are between the ages of 7 and 12, you should look for a glove that is between 11.5 and 12 inches. If you are between the ages of 13 and 16, you should look for a glove that is between 12 and 13 inches. If you are 17 or older, you should look for a glove that is between 12.75 and 14 inches.

Leather

Leather baseball gloves are the most common type of glove. They are durable and provide a good grip. Leather gloves are available in different sizes and shapes to fit different hand sizes.

Synthetic

Synthetic gloves are usually made of man-made materials like polyester and nylon. They’re usually less expensive than leather gloves, and they don’t require as much breaking in. They’re a good choice for recreational players.