Popularity of youth baseball leading to high glove demand
Baseball is practically a rite of passage for many young kids in America. As soon as they can walk and hold a bat, parents sign them up for T-ball. This begins an exciting journey that sees many kids fall in love with baseball and carry on playing the sport for years to come. But no baseball player is complete without their trusty glove – an essential piece of gear that becomes an extension of a player’s hand on the field. That’s why finding the right youth baseball glove is so important for parents of aspiring little leaguers.
The popularity of youth baseball has exploded in recent years, with over 2.2 million kids participating just in Little League alone. Add in all the other youth leagues across the country and you have a whole lot of new players needing gloves every season. This high demand is something sporting goods manufacturers are keenly aware of.
Walk into any sporting goods store these days and you’ll find entire sections devoted to youth baseball gloves. Big brands like Wilson, Rawlings and Mizuno all offer a wide selection of gloves tailored specifically for young players. And the gloves come in a range of sizes to fit kids of all ages, from 4-inch gloves for preschoolers all the way up to 11.5-inch and 12-inch gloves for older youth players.
Finding the right fit
One of the most important factors parents must consider when glove shopping for their kid is finding the right fit. A glove that’s too big will be clumsy and unwieldy for a young player to control. But one that’s too small can hinder their development and won’t provide adequate protection. To find the Goldilocks glove size that’s “just right”, experts recommend matching the glove size to the child’s age:
- Ages 4-6: 9-10 inch glove
- Ages 7-9: 10-11 inch glove
- Ages 10-12: 11-12 inch glove
It’s also about more than just length. Factors like wrist opening, finger stall depth and overall glove patterns are also designed specifically for smaller hands. Youth gloves have shallower pockets, narrower finger slots and smaller wrist openings than an adult glove. Allcombined, these elements help ensure a comfortable, non-restrictive fit.
Injury prevention
A properly fitted youth glove doesn’t just help performance. It also aids injury prevention. Using an oversized glove can lead to hand and wrist injuries from constantly compensating for the extra glove material. Kids end up exerting more effort just to control and squeeze the glove. This puts added strain on still-developing muscles and joints.
Conversely, undersized gloves provide inadequate shock absorption. Balls end up striking hands directly through the thin leather. This increases the force impact on growth plates in fingers and wrists that haven’t fully ossified yet. In essence, the right fitting glove acts like a suit of armor for young players’ hands.
Material matters
Youth gloves were traditionally made from cheaper, synthetic materials instead of real leather. But as youth baseball has continued gaining popularity, manufacturers are putting more emphasis on quality and durability. While price points still need to stay low, many youth glove models now incorporate leather into their construction. Gloves made from soft, supple steerhide leather offer the right blend of pliability and ruggedness to withstand a young player’s heavy usage. Synthetic leather also provides increased durability over vinyl or PVC gloves.
Inside the glove, breathable materials like cotton or moisture-wicking fabrics are ideal for finger linings. This keeps hands dryer and reduces blisters. Padding is another essential element, placed strategically in the palm and index finger areas to cushion impacts. Bottom line: Look for youth gloves made from quality leather and fabrics, not cheap synthetics prone to tearing.
Trusted brands
Sticking with reputable sporting goods manufacturers is always advisable when shopping for youth baseball gloves. Companies like Rawlings, Wilson, Mizuno and Akadema have been perfecting glove designs for decades. They know how to balance quality, comfort and affordability in their youth glove lines. Lesser known brands may seem tempting from a budget perspective. But their gloves often lack the pedigree of established labels when it comes to materials and construction.
The lightweight advantage
One of the main differences between youth and adult gloves is weight. Oversized adult gloves not only hinder performance, but also quickly fatigue young players’ hands, wrists and arms. Youth gloves are designed to be featherlight, typically weighing between 8-11 ounces. This allows for easy control and maneuverability. Synthetic leather palms, perforated finger slots and mesh-backed designs all reduce excess weight without sacrificing durability.
Minimal break-in time
Seasons are short in youth baseball, so no one wants to waste time breaking in a stiff, unresponsive new glove. That’s why many youth glove models now come pre-broken in from the manufacturers. This gets achieved through advanced softening techniques for the leather. Rolled or pre-curved finger slots also aid pliability right out of the package. This lets players focus on developing their fielding skills instead of exerting efforts just trying to open and close their glove.
Stylish aesthetics
While fit and functionality reign supreme, let’s not underestimate a young player’s desire to look cool out on the field. Youth gloves deliver with colorful accents, bold webbing designs and vibrant lacing. Flashy graphics appeal to kids’ developing personal styles and make glove shopping even more exciting. Of course understated classics are available too for the more traditionalists. Ultimately there are plenty of options to please both boys and girls.
Specialized positions
As kids progress in baseball, they start settling into defensive positions they feel most comfortable with. Their glove needs change accordingly. Youth infielder gloves have shallow pockets for quick ball transfers on grounders. Youth outfielder gloves are longer with deeper pockets to snag fly balls. And specialty gloves for catchers, pitchers and 1st base round out the options. This progression toward position-specific gloves represents an exciting step in a young player’s development.
Prioritizing protection
While youth players want their gloves to look and feel great, protection ultimately matters most. Thicker palm padding, reinforced finger seams and sturdy welting all work together to shield young hands. Shock absorbing finger linings also prevent sting while training gloves for batting ease the force of mis-hit balls. When shopping for youth gloves, always look closely at these protective features.
Open or closed web pros and cons
The choice between open web and closed web youth glove designs largely comes down to position and personal preference. Closed webs offer more stability for infielders to handle quick transfers on ground balls. Open webs are preferred by outfielders for trapping fly balls and pitchers for concealment when throwing various pitches. Let kids test out both styles to determine what web design works best for their developing playing style.
Online convenience
While trying gloves on in person is ideal, the convenience of online shopping makes buying youth gloves easier than ever these days. All the big brands have user-friendly sites that allow shoppers to filter by exact hand size, position and price points. Detailed sizing guides, reviews and recommendations further simplify the selection process. And fast shipping right to your door means kids can be breaking in their new glove just days after ordering.
Multi-season longevity
Youth baseball players grow fast, but their gloves should be made to last multiple seasons. Durable full-grain leather, rugged stitching and sturdy steel or thermoplastic buckles withstand heavy use. Replaceable palm pads extend glove life even further. Higher-end youth glove models will typically outlast cheaper versions by years, making them a wise long term investment.
Right hand vs left hand mitts
One key tip for stress-free youth glove shopping: pay close attention to hand orientation. With right hand throwers needing left hand mitts, and vice versa, it’s easy for parents to accidentally purchase the wrong glove hand. Let kids test out both orientations in store so you buy the one that feels natural when they make a fist. That way they’ll head right into backyard practice with their new glove, not back to the returns counter.
Finding that perfect glove is a rite of passage for little leaguers. With mindful fit, durable materials and the right features, a young player’s new glove becomes an essential sidekick for back yard wiffle ball, tee work, defending the diamond, or just playing catch with mom and dad. So take the time to get it right, and watch their glove pride grow right along with their baseball passion.