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. A glove your player can close catches more balls than a bigger one.
The rules
Recommend closing effort class = easy (soft youth build, pattern 11.5 in or smaller); never a stiff kip or steerhide pro glove for a first glove.
Youth gloves have smaller wrist openings and shorter finger stalls; comfort of use comes before pocket size at young ages.
Closing effort
How hard a young hand has to squeeze to close the glove on a ball. Easy means a soft build and a smaller pattern; hard means stiff leather or a big mitt.
If your player drops balls that hit the pocket, closing effort is usually the reason, not the hands.
Where this comes from
- derived Player 12 and under, or trouble closing current glove
- published Ages 4-12: JustBallGloves - Glove Buying Guide
- Our explainer: Closing effort
Every rule, with its source, is on How the fit works.
More in glove guides
- 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 a 6-year-old?A 6-year-old takes 8.5 to 10 in at every position; JustBallGloves puts a middle infielder at 8 to 10.5 in.
- What size glove for an 8-year-old?An 8-year-old takes 10.25 to 11.5 in for an infielder and 11.5 to 12.25 in for an outfielder; JustBallGloves puts a middle infielder at 10.5 to 11.25 in.
- What size glove for a 10-year-old?A 10-year-old takes 10.25 to 11.5 in for an infielder and 11.5 to 12.25 in for an outfielder; JustBallGloves puts a middle infielder at 10.5 to 11.25 in.
- What size glove for a 12-year-old?A 12-year-old takes 10.25 to 11.5 in for an infielder and 11.5 to 12.25 in for an outfielder; JustBallGloves puts a middle infielder at 11 to 11.5 in.
- What size glove for a 13-year-old?A 13-year-old takes 11.25 to 12 in for an infielder and 12 to 12.75 in for an outfielder; JustBallGloves puts a middle infielder at 11 to 11.5 in.
- 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.