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“Which glove should I get?” This is a question we coaches often hear from parents when their child is just starting out. So, what are the best choices to make? There are quite a few options. #decisionstress

You can ask yourself the following questions when considering what type of glove you need for:

How much money are you willing or able to spend?
How sure are you that your child will keep playing this sport?
What size glove do you need?
Is there a difference between a left-handed and right-handed glove? Spoiler: Yes!
Which color(s) should I choose?
Brand—does it really matter?
Where can I get the glove?
Do you need to try it on first?
Is the glove game-ready right away?
Does it need any maintenance?
Is there a difference between a baseball and softball glove?

In this article, we'll answer all these questions for you.

From Our Own Experience

Reinier: “My daughter plays softball and my son plays baseball. They both started with tee ball three years ago. It was a bit of a trial period, so we decided not to go all-in on brand new gloves right away. We picked up two gloves at Decathlon, which have now become our backup gloves since we’ve upgraded to better ones. At their first practice with the new gloves, they caught 50% more balls. It’s unbelievable what a difference it made—no more dropped or bobbled catches. It was almost like the problem was completely solved.”

Reinier adds: "I think we made a pretty solid choice, although maybe it would have been even better to start with two pairs of second-hand gloves."

Should Reinier have bought brand-name gloves right away? Well, if money were no object, sure—but €80 twice, totaling €160, while you're not even sure if they’ll stick with the sport, might be a bit much.

How Much Does a Baseball or Softball Glove Cost?

A youth glove (beeball) from a brand usually costs between €35 and €100, with sizes ranging from 10 to 11.5 inches. You can also find cheaper alternatives around €15. Of course, secondhand gloves are an option too.

A Left- or Right-Handed Glove

The shapes of gloves vary, just like our hands do. Makes sense, but it’s something you should know. Left-handed gloves go on your right hand and are a bit rarer. So when you’re shopping, you might find there are fewer options to choose from.

The photo below shows two Decathlon gloves, size 9.5 inches. They’re not real leather and feel pretty stiff.

If you throw right-handed, you need to wear a glove on your left hand — but it’s still called a right-handed glove. As Reinier and Wesley, the creators of coachball.app, like to say: “Just like in the game, knowing the right gear makes all the difference for young players stepping up to the plate.” Want to learn more about gloves and other gear? Check out our [coaching tips](https://coachball.app/tips) for youth baseball and softball coaches and parents.

Is there a difference between a baseball glove and a softball glove?

Absolutely! This mainly comes down to the ball—the size is different, which means the catching area (the pocket) on a softball glove is bigger. If you’re a parent deciding to go for a beeball glove, you won’t have much choice here. Luckily, beeball is played with a small, soft ball, so it doesn’t really matter. But once the kids move up to the pupillen league, it’s definitely a good idea to start paying attention to this.

11-inch baseball glove & 12-inch softball glove

Should I take the playing position and type of glove into account?

No, we believe kids should play in lots of different spots and still discover their favorite position. So, it doesn’t really make sense to buy a bigger outfielder’s glove or a special pitcher’s glove just yet. By the way, did you know what’s unique about a pitcher’s glove? It has to be completely closed so the ball can’t be spotted by the opponents during (and before) the pitch—pretty cool, right?

What Glove Size Do I Need?

The sizes are in inches, and you can choose from 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, and so on. Your sports club might have some extra gloves lying around to try on, or you could ask teammates to borrow theirs for a quick fit. That can give you a good idea. Still, just like with other types of gear, it’s smart to try them on because brands can fit differently—some run smaller or bigger than others. Plus, some gloves have a kind of lining inside that changes how they feel on your hand.

So imagine you find a teammate’s glove that fits you perfectly—you could easily buy that exact one online. In every other case, avoid a bad purchase and try it on first. Comfort is key.

Equipment and Color Choices

Learning is the best thing. Cheaper gloves are sometimes made from synthetic leather, also known as Sky. A leather glove can be shaped and adjusted to be stiffer or more flexible. Leather gloves do tend to be more expensive.

Color is important to a lot of kids too. These days, gloves aren’t just the classic brown like they used to be—you can grab them in all sorts of colors and patterns. A bright pink glove? Go for it! If that’s your style. Want to play it a bit safer? Then pick a glove that matches your team colors or go with something neutral (black or that good old trusty brown glove).

Brands

Wilson, Rawlings, Mizuno, Easton, Franklin, Louisville, Teammate, Boombah… you’ll mainly find these brands in Dutch stores. Especially the first five are global big players, but if you check out American online shops, you’ll discover even more brands. Our advice? Try them on first, and then pick a brand. All these brands have proven themselves over the years and are solid choices. So if you’re trying on gear and don’t see your favorite color, or you just want something a little different, ask the store if they can order it for you.

We haven’t had great experiences ordering online from foreign webshops—think: lots of hassle with extra customs fees and unclear delivery times that can take months.

Custom Glove

It’s also possible to get a custom glove, but we almost never see that happen with youth players. Kids’ hands grow way too fast, so it’s usually not worth the money, effort, or time. But hey, down the road, it does make a pretty cool keepsake to hang on the wall once they’re playing in the MLB . Real talk, the market here is just too small to build a business around it. Looking for a custom glove for an adult? Get in touch. We know the spots. As our coaches Reinier and Wesley say, “A good glove is like your teammate on the field—makes all the difference.”

Stores in the Netherlands

There are only a few stores in the Netherlands where you can try on gloves. Check the opening hours on the websites of the following shops:

Pro tip: Give them a quick call first to check if they're open and have enough stock. Sometimes a big shipment arrives the following week. That week of waiting is usually worth it since they might get newer models in, and the older ones often go for a better price.

Label the Glove

Once you’ve picked a glove, tag it! Do it right away. Read here why labeling gear is an absolute must!

Taking Care of Your Glove

The time has come—you’ve got a new glove. Nice! Want to keep that glove in shape, maintain its form, and make it last? Of course! Check out how to take care of your glove here.

Missed something or got a tip?

In this article, we aim to be as thorough as possible, with the goal of helping parents and giving coaches a solid grip on things. And here’s a question back to you, the reader: did we miss something or do you have a tip? Let us know below, and we’ll update the article. Thanks a lot!

The post Buying a Baseball or Softball Glove: Your Guide to Choosing the Right Glove first appeared on Coach Ball.

Baseball Glove or Softball Glove Shopping: Your Guide to Choosing the Right Glove.