Glove guides

Size by age and position, webs, and the glove a young player can close.

• 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.
• 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 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 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.
• How do I measure my hand for batting gloves?With a ruler, from the crease at the base of the palm to the tip of the middle finger, then match that length on the batting-glove maker's own chart: sizes differ from maker to maker.

Each guide answers first, then shows the rules and sources it rests on.