Glove care

Oil, conditioner, mallets, laces, wraps. Gloves and mitts by position, size, web and leather. How stiff a glove is out of the box, and how hard it is for a small hand to close, matter more than the brand on the strap.

Questions parents ask

What baseball glove size by age?For ages 7 to 12, 10.25 to 11.5 in for the infield and 11.5 to 12.25 in for the outfield.
What size glove for an infielder?Infield gloves: 10.25 to 11.5 in for ages 7 to 12, and 11.25 to 12 in for 12 and up; JustBallGloves gives 11.25 to 11.5 in for older players.
What size glove for an outfielder?Outfield gloves: 11.5 to 12.25 in for ages 7 to 12, and 12 to 12.75 in for 12 and up; JustBallGloves gives 12 to 13 in for older players.
What size is a first base mitt?First base mitts: 11.5 to 12 in for ages 7 to 12, and 12 to 13 in for 12 and up; JustBallGloves gives 12 to 13 in for older players.
What size glove for a pitcher?The fit sizes a pitcher's glove with the infield on Rawlings' chart: 10.25 to 11.5 in for ages 7 to 12, and 11.25 to 12 in for 12 and up; JustBallGloves gives 11.5 to 12 in from 11 up.
What are the types of glove webs?Open webs let the ball out fast and are the infielder's choice: the I-web, and the H-web common at third and in the outfield.
Should a kid buy a bigger glove to grow into?No. At 12 and under a glove has to close easily: a soft youth build in a pattern of 11.5 in or smaller, never a stiff pro glove to grow into.
How long does it take to break in a baseball glove?It depends on the leather.
Is a kip leather glove worth it?Not for a player 12 and under: a young player's glove has to close easily, and kip is pro-grade leather, stiff at first, that can take weeks to months to break in.

All glove guides

Fielding videos

Every training video

Youth Practice Plan Series | Ready Position and Infield/Outfield Communication DrillAmerican Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) · Watch on YouTubeMore videos on ready position
Training Tip: Fielding a Ground Ball in the InfieldRipken Baseball · Watch on YouTubeMore videos on ground balls and short hops
Training Tip: Catching a Fly BallRipken Baseball · Watch on YouTubeMore videos on catching fly balls

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Glove care

SSK Glove Conditioner – Baseball & Softball Glove Maintenance Hydrates & Protects Leather

SSK Glove Hammer - Baseball & Softball Glove Mallet

Questions parents ask

Fielding videos

SSK Glove Conditioner – Baseball & Softball Glove Maintenance Hydrates & Protects Leather

SSK Glove Hammer - Baseball & Softball Glove Mallet

Questions parents ask

Fielding videos