How to Choose a Baseball Glove for Little Leaguers

Baseball gloves come in a variety of sizes and styles to fit different size players and the positions that they play. Follow these steps to pick a glove that is comfortable and well-suited to the little leaguer's size, position and skill level.

Instructions

1. Find out which position the child will be playing. There are glove types for catchers, first basemen, infielders and outfielders. If they play multiple positions, an outfielder's glove is the best choice.

2. Choose a baseball glove size based on the player's age. Children under 8 years old should use a 9-inch to 11-inch glove. Get an 11-inch glove for kids between 8 and the early teens. Don't buy a bigger glove and let the child grow into it because the glove is too hard to close when it is too big.

3. Pick a baseball glove material. There are 3 choices: leather, treated leather and synthetic materials. Leather offers the most durability and comfort. Treated leather is softer and offers a quicker break-in time. Synthetic material gloves are lighter, less expensive and are a good choice for younger players.

4. Try on several different styles of glove. There are many styles available, including open or closed back, deep or shallow pocket, different webbing styles and wrist adjustments. These choices come down to personal preference, so let the player decide what they like and what fits them best.

5. Break in your baseball glove after you buy it. You can choose the perfect glove, but if you don't break it in correctly, you won't get the most out of it.