A glove is the second most expensive piece of equipment most players will buy. Thankfully, if you get the right glove, it will last for a very long time!
Generally speaking, gloves are like cars. You can get a Chevy, a Buick or a Cadillac. What makes one better than the others?
What size glove?
Gloves are measured in inches from the heel of glove to the end of the fingers. The larger that number is, the larger the glove is.
A good rule of thumb is that the ball should fit comfortably in the pocket of the glove (the area where the fingers meet the glove).
Most young players, and their parents, choose a glove that is too big for them! Some believe a larger glove gives a young player a larger margin for error. In reality, the larger gloves can be unwieldy and difficult for a young player to handle.
We feel that a certain range in size of the glove is appropriate for each of the defensive positions but most players should be able to find a compromise if they play multiple positions.
Outfielders generally use a larger glove than infielders. First basemen and catchers also have the option of a specialized glove designed specifically for their position. We will take a more in depth look at each position in upcoming tips.
About the Author: Tory Acheson brings a wealth of knowledge to the Fastpitch Prep staff. He has coached at all levels of the game, including the last 25 years at the college level at the University of Wisconsin – Parkside, Tennessee Tech and Kennesaw State. He began his coaching career at the high school level spending 9 years Whitnall High School in Greenfield, Wis. and is now working as a professional softball instructor.
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