For over 100 years baseball glove companies have been modifying gloves to fit the needs of each position.
When the game first started they had fingerless gloves that were used in all positions, until the catcher's glove was introduced to be the first glove to cover the fingers.
Later, Rawlings finally had a player come forward (Bill Doak) who suggested that they lace a web between the index finger and thumb. The traditional baseball glove was born and is still used today.
However, there have been many modifications to the glove.
Types Of Gloves In Baseball
- Batting Gloves
- Catchers Glove
- Pitchers Glove
- First Base Glove
- Second Base Glove
- Third Base Glove
- Shortstop Glove
- Outfield Gloves
- Youth Gloves
A quick guide in what to look for, based on your position, is the easiest way to look for a glove that fits your needs.
You can’t just pick a glove off the shelf because it looks cool. Driving a Ferrari off road won’t be the smartest car to drive in the mud.
So let’s start with a catcher's glove, easily spotted and has simple options because it needs to be a tank. It’s design has little wiggle room for options it’s thick outer padding and closed web make it bulletproof for repeated in-game use.
The pitcher's glove has to have a closed web to conceal pitches from hitters and baserunners. It will also have modifications like a closed back or a finger sleeve to conceal any wiggle from digging for pitches.
Digging for the grip on the ball in the glove can indicate off speed pitch is coming because of the excessive finger movement.
Next is the first baseman’s glove, also easy to spot and can only be used at first base by rule. It has a shovel-like pocket with no fingers for digging balls out of the dirt. It also has limited options because of its needed in game function.
Infielders gloves can vary from position to position. Second base glove is usually the smallest glove with the shallowest pocket on the field to help aid in turning double plays.
The shortstop glove also with a shallow pocket can see longer lengths than the second base gloves but still functions for quick transfers and is still relatively the second smallest glove on the field.
The third base glove is typically a hybrid glove or transitional glove in baseball. It has longer fingers with a slightly deeper pocket than middle infield gloves but not quite as long in length as outfield gloves.
As youth players that aren’t specializing in a position, recommending a third base type glove can even work well in the outfield for youth players.
All three infield gloves have open backs, or called H-backs, to help with sifting through dirt when fielding to help find the ball without debris.
Outfield gloves have length in the fingers and a much deeper pocket for catching balls.
They also have stability in the back of the glove called a closed back for support when closing the glove.
Most gloves have small modifications you can make to the glove when looking to build your own online.