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Step 1
Decide what positions softball gloves will be used for. Increasingly, you'll find specialized gloves for basemen, mid-fielders and outfielders. Often youth rotate positions, so utility gloves may work best. Infielders tend to use smaller gloves. Basemen use even smaller gloves.
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Step 2
Plan on how much you want to spend. A quality glove costs at least $60, but often lasts longer. Cheaper gloves may be hard to break in and feel uncomfortable when worn. Akadema makes a good glove at lower prices.
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Step 3
Buy a specialized catcher's mitt for youth. Gloves have fingers; mitts don't. It's easier to control the ball and scoop up balls with a mitt.
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Step 4
Determine the size of the gloves you need. Softball gloves tend to be larger, plus youth gloves often come with bigger pockets to make catching easier to beginning players. A five year old might start with a 9 inch youth glove. By age nine, some kids move up to an 11 youth size.
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Step 5
Look at individual features. Some players prefer light web designs that you can see through. Another option feature is an open or closed back. But what really matters for youth gloves are that they are adjustable. Youth gloves may come with Velcro adjustments.
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Step 6
Ask retailers about discounts if you're buying for a team or other large group.
