How to Measure a Baseball Glove

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By kskaggs
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Glove Measuring

Measuring for the correct fit of a baseball glove or mitt is super simple once you have the knowledge of what you are doing. A child or an adult with a glove that is too small or too large will not have proper control of the ball, so measuring for a correct fit is very important. Typically baseball gloves have a range from 9 inches (youth starter size) to 12.75 inches for adult outfield play. So whether it is a glove or a mitt, or you need a catcher glove or a fielders glove, it is very important to make sure your glove fits correctly by getting the right measurement. The same measuring technique works whether it is a baseball glove for kids, an adult baseball glove, or a softball glove. If you buy a glove just because it is an inexpensive, cheap baseball glove, then you are going to get a glove that does not fit and one that is more of a hindrance than a help.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

A flexible measuring tape

Step 1

Fielders Gloves and First base Mitts are measured by starting at the top of the index finger of the glove and measuring down the finger, along the inside of the pocket, and then out to the heel of the glove.
Step 2

Use a flexible tape and allow it to "lay" in the pocket as you measure. For first base mitts (which have no fingers) simply measure from the highest point on the mitt in the same way you measure a fielders glove.
Step 3

Catchers mitt sizes while expressed in inches are measured by circumference, which means the around the outside of the glove. Typically a baseball catchers mitt will measure in circumference from 30 inches (youth size) up to 34.5 inches with .5 inch incremental sizes in this range.

Tips & Warnings

By the book, gloves for the first baseman can not be more than 12" long from top to bottom and no more than 8" across the palm (from base of thumb to the edge) and fielder' s gloves can not be 7 3/4" across the palm. Also, by the book, a pitcher may not use a glove gray in color. Although these are official rules, youth baseball is not strict in reinforcing these rules. Most sporting good places will have your local rules.
Do not invest in an expensive glove before you check with the rules for your local area, because many times baseball gloves unless defective are non-returnable.

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