Your Back-to-School Softball Glove Guide

Back to school means back to practice, and for a lot of players that means it's time for a new glove. Unlike a bat, there's no single formula for glove sizing. It comes down to position more than anything else, and getting it right makes a real difference in how a player fields.

Here's how glove sizing works, broken down by position, plus what to do once the right one is out of the box.

How Glove Sizing Actually Works

Glove size is measured in inches from the top of the index finger to the bottom of the heel. Unlike bats, there's no drop weight or single chart that applies across the board. Position is the biggest factor once a player is old enough to have settled into one, usually somewhere around age 10 to 12. Before that, general fit and comfort matter more than position-specific features.

The logic behind sizing is simple once you see it: infielders need a smaller glove with a shallow pocket, so the ball comes out fast for a quick transfer. Outfielders need a bigger glove with a deep pocket so a ball at the edge of their reach still gets secured. Everything else follows from there.

Infield

Middle infielders and third basemen want a smaller glove built for speed, not security. A deep pocket that holds onto the ball is a disadvantage here, since every extra fraction of a second getting the ball out costs a step on a double play or a close throw to first. Typical size range is 11.25 to 12.25 inches, usually in an I-web, H-web, or modified trap. Check out infield gloves to see the range.

Outfield

Outfielders are the opposite case. A longer glove with a deeper pocket gives more surface area for tracking down fly balls and more security on a diving or running catch, where a shallow pocket can let the ball pop right back out. Typical size range is 12.25 to 13 inches, usually in an H-web, trapeze, or basket web. Check out outfield gloves to find the right fit.

Pitcher

Pitchers land in roughly the same size range as infielders, but web style matters more than size here. A closed web, whether that's a modified trap or a fully closed pocket, keeps the grip hidden from the batter before the pitch is released. Most fastpitch pitchers land around 12 inches, with 11.5 to 12.5 inches covering the typical range. Check out pitcher's gloves for closed-web options.

First Base

First base mitts don't really compare to a standard glove. The shape is longer and shallower, built with a rounded scoop that helps handle off-target throws and short-hops out of the dirt. Anyone who only fills in at first occasionally can usually get by with a regular infield glove, but 12.5 to 13 inches with a single post or H-web is the standard for a dedicated first baseman. Check out first base mitts for the position. 

Catcher

Catcher's mitts break from the rest of the chart entirely, since they're measured by circumference rather than length. That's why the sizing numbers look so different from every other position on this list. Typical size range is 32 to 34.5 inches in circumference, with heavy padding and a deep, secure pocket built to handle repeated impact. Check out catcher's mitts to find the right one.

Getting a New Glove Game-Ready

A brand-new glove out of the box is stiff, and a stiff glove drops balls it should catch. Breaking it in properly before the season starts is worth the time.

Start by working the leather with your hands, bending the fingers and pocket repeatedly to loosen the material. Playing catch is the best long-term break-in method, since it shapes the pocket exactly where the ball naturally lands. Glove conditioner or oil can help soften stiff leather but use it sparingly. Too much oil can soften a glove past the point of holding its shape.

Once the glove starts to break in, store it with a ball in the pocket, secured with a strap or rubber band, to help it hold that shape between uses. Keep it out of hot cars and direct sun, since heat dries out leather fast and can crack it over time.

Ready to gear up for the season? Shop fastpitch gloves by position and get broken in before your first practice.