How to choose and break in a baseball glove

The parts of a glove

Knowing a few terms makes shopping and conversations with coaches much easier.

Pocket

The area in the palm where the ball is meant to land and stay. A well-formed pocket is what makes catching feel natural.

Web

The material stretched between the thumb and the first finger. Different web styles suit different positions.

Heel

The bottom of the palm, where the glove's padding sits.

Lacing

The leather strips that hold the glove together. Loose or broken laces are a sign that repair or replacement is due.

Wrist adjustment

A strap or closure at the back that lets you tighten the glove so it stays on the hand.

What to look for in a first glove

• Fit. The hand should sit comfortably with fingers reaching the finger stalls without being crushed or swimming. Gloves are not one-size-fits-all, so have your child try several. Sizing labels differ between brands, so go by feel and by what a store employee can show you, not by a single number.
• Ease of closing. A beginner should be able to squeeze the glove shut without a fight. A glove that is too stiff or too big is hard to control.
• Material. Leather gloves are common and usually break in and mold to the hand. Many beginner gloves use softer leather or synthetic materials that are easier to close right away. Neither is wrong, and the right one depends on your budget and how much your child plays.
• Position. Infielders, outfielders, catchers and first basemen use differently designed gloves. For a young player who still plays everywhere, a general-purpose glove is usually the practical choice.
• Throwing hand. A right-handed thrower wears the glove on the left hand, and a left-handed thrower wears it on the right. Check which hand the glove is made for before buying.

Gloves and positions at a glance

Not sure where your child will play? Our guide to baseball positions explained shows what each spot does.

How to break in a glove

Breaking in a glove means making the leather flexible and shaping the pocket so the glove closes easily. Do it gradually, and follow the manufacturer's instructions if the glove came with any.

1. Start by working the glove with your hands: open it, close it, and bend it at the fingers and heel.
2. Play catch. Nothing shapes a pocket better than catching real throws.
3. Put a ball in the pocket and wrap the glove around it with a cord or a band overnight, so the pocket keeps its shape.
4. Repeat over several days or weeks. Rushing the process, or using excessive heat or soaking, can damage leather and shorten the glove's life.

Many stores sell conditioners made for baseball gloves. If you use one, use it sparingly and follow the label, because too much product can weigh the glove down and soften it more than needed.

Everyday glove care

• Wipe off dirt and moisture after play and let the glove air-dry away from direct heat.
• Store it with a ball in the pocket in a dry place, not wadded up in the bottom of a bag.
• Do not leave it in a hot car or in a soaked gear bag.
• Check the laces now and then and have loose ones repaired before they come apart.
• Teach your child to keep the glove off the ground and out of the dugout dirt. Do not sit on it.

Common mistakes

• Buying too big "to grow into." A glove that is too large is harder to control and can make catching more frustrating.
• Buying a stiff top-of-the-line glove for a beginner. A glove that cannot be closed discourages learning.
• Using shortcuts to break in a glove, such as heat or soaking, which can harm the leather.
• Forgetting to label it. Put your child's name or initials inside, since gloves look alike in a dugout.
• Not checking league rules. Some leagues have rules about glove color or style. Confirm with your league. Pair this guide with our equipment checklist so nothing else gets missed.

When to replace it

A glove is due for replacement when it no longer fits, the pocket has lost its shape, the leather is cracking, or repairs no longer hold. Growing hands are the most common reason in youth baseball, so many families look for a gently used glove or hand one down. If your child is at a point where they are playing one position regularly, a position-specific glove may then make sense.

Trying gloves on in the store

If you can, take your child to try gloves in person rather than ordering blind. Have them wear the glove for a few minutes, open and close it, and play catch with a soft ball or a parent's hand if the store allows it. Notice whether they can close the glove with a reasonable squeeze or whether it fights them every time.

• Check that their fingers reach the ends of the finger stalls without being crushed, and that the wrist strap or lacing can be adjusted snugly.
• Pick the glove up and shake it. A glove that is so heavy the child's wrist droops will make catching harder, not easier.
• Look at the pocket. A deep pocket on a very stiff glove is hard for a small hand to close, which is why many young players do better with a lighter, softer model.
• Ask which gloves are meant for the position they play, and check the positions guide if you are unsure what each position needs.

Myths about gloves

• "Bigger is better." An oversized glove makes it harder to control the catch and to transfer the ball for a throw. Fit the hand, not the hope that they will grow into it.
• "A glove must be broken in before it is usable." Many youth gloves are fairly soft from the start. Break-in is about shaping the pocket through lots of real catches.
• "Store it with a ball and rubber bands and you are done." Shaping the pocket this way can help, but nothing replaces playing catch regularly. See our equipment checklist for the rest of the gear that matters.

If the glove is for a catcher or first baseman, those positions use specialized mitts, so see the catcher's gear guide before buying.

Sources and further reading

1. What Parents, Local Leagues Need to Know About Equipping a Little Leaguer Little League
2. A Parent's Guide to Little League Tee Ball Little League
3. Baseball and Softball HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics)

Links open in a new tab. Quotations are short excerpts, included with attribution for commentary. BlackForge Sports is not affiliated with or endorsed by the people or organizations named.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a baseball glove fits?

The hand should sit comfortably with the fingers reaching the finger stalls, and your child should be able to close the glove without struggling. Try several, because sizing labels differ between brands.

How do you break in a baseball glove?

Work the leather with your hands, play catch, and store the glove wrapped around a ball so the pocket forms. Go gradually and avoid heat or soaking.

Should a beginner buy a leather or synthetic glove?

Either can work. Synthetic and softer gloves are often easier to close at first, while leather usually molds to the hand over time.

How long does a baseball glove take to break in?

It varies by glove and how often it is used. Regular catch over days or weeks is the usual path.

How do I take care of a baseball glove?

Keep it dry and out of the heat, store it with a ball in the pocket, and check the laces. A little conditioner, used sparingly, is fine.