BASEBALL GLOVES

Gloves for first base are called mitts. Mitts feature individual fingers, while mitts resemble their namesake, a mitten. Mitts make it easier to stop ground balls and have little to no padding in the palm and finger areas. Baseball mitts are also better at controlling balls that are hit outside the glove pocket, which helps in scooping up wild throws. A first base glove will be larger in circumference than a catchers mitt, ranging from 12 to 12.5 inches. First base Gloves have a thin yet stiff pad that runs around the circumference of the mitt and the fingers and palm have little to no padding. For most positions, an open web versus a closed web is a matter of preference.

At shortstop there is more emphasis on ball snagging ability, especially during those frequent trips to snag grounders. As a result, shortstop gloves tend to run larger, ranging from 11.5 to 12 inches. Shortstops tend to prefer gloves that enable them to get the ball out of the glove quickly. Shortstops primarily use the tips of the middle, ring and pinky fingers, along with the majority of the thumb to make a catch. Therefore, reinforcements are placed in those areas to maximize control and performance.

For second base gloves, the top priority is to cleanly field the ball while making a fast transfer from the glove to the throwing hand. This usually calls for a smaller baseball glove with a relatively shallow pocket. Second base players also tend to prefer an open-backed glove for increased flexibility and comfort. Generally, second base gloves run from 11 to 11.5 inches in size. Second basemen tend to prefer either a single patch web, a basket web or the current favorite, an I-web. No matter which you prefer, Eastbay provides a number of great glove options for middle infield players.

They dont call third base the hot corner for nothing. For the third baseman, the top priority is gloving the ball. Accordingly, third basemen tend to prefer a medium-sized glove that measures from 11.5 to 12 inches and features a deeper pocket than a shortstop or second baseman. A third base glove features a sturdy web for snagging hot smashes down the line, and players usually prefer an open back glove in an H-web or I-web pattern.

Catchers mitts are also called catchers mitts. A catchers mitt has individual fingers with heavy padding to reduce the sting from fastballs and is reinforced to withstand heavy use throughout a game. The catchers mitts are larger in size to provide an easy target for the pitcher, and the cost of the mitt can range from $150 to $300 for high-quality styles and top brands. When purchasing a quality catchers mitt from Eastbay, you can be assured that the glove will be sturdy, comfortable and have the latest safety features to ensure youre at the top of your game.

Pitchers gloves will vary more than gloves used by any other position. Gloves can range anywhere from 11 inches to 12.25 inches. Currently the standard webbing for a pitchers glove is the basket web. When it comes to the backing, most pitchers use open-backed pitchers gloves. Some special features of pitchers gloves include webbing that hides the grip and a deep pocket to conceal the wrist positioning. A pitchers finger sleeve also helps to make sure pitchers dont tip their pitches. Pitcher's gloves must be a solid color. If the plate umpire determines that the glove is distracting, the pitcher is required to change it.

Outfielders baseball gloves have deeper pockets to handle high-flying balls. Outfield baseball gloves are five-finger gloves that range from 12 to 13 inches in length. The deeper pockets help to catch fly balls while the open webbing helps to efficiently hold onto the ball. Outfield baseball gloves require more support around the back of the hand to keep the glove from coming loose during a catch. The essential features that every outfielder should consider when buying a new outfield glove are size, web style, back style and pocket.

The "Why" about baseball glove sizes and webs

Note within a note: I love making Jimmy O sweat. He's a buyer, he's a coach, he's a player. He knows his stuff. But I tend to ask the questions that most people just "know" instinctually, because when it comes to sports, I don't have instincts until I get to know the mechanics of the game, the physics behind the technologies. [CM]

Infielders use smaller gloves because they are handling the ball more. They are catching grounders, scooping quickly, transferring to their throwing hand, etc. They need to feel where the ball is right away so they can complete the play. Larger gloves will make it difficult to feel exactly where the ball is because the pressure is spread across a greater surface area. The deeper web would also make it a bit more difficult to transfer the ball quickly and efficiently to your throwing hand, so small is the way to go. They'll use a modified trap web, I web or basket (also called tartan or closely woven) web, something designed for a smaller glove, something that doesn't create a deep web where the ball can get lost (okay, not actually lost, but at least less accessible).

Pitchers generally wear infielder's gloves with a modified trap, tartan web or basket web. The web has to be closely woven so you can't see the way he's gripping the ball inside the glove. Some teams prefer their pitchers to wear large gloves, up to 12.75", to offer more coverage and give them more opportunity to snag shots.

First-basemen don't really wear gloves, they wear mitts. Without separate finger stalls, the glove wears like a mitten -- a big, bulky, leather mitten. First base mitts are generally very large, up to 13". The webbings are wide and usually posted for stability. They need to catch the wild balls thrown at them in desperate attempts to prevent a run.

Third basemen have a wide array of gloves to choose from. They can pretty much wear anything they feel comfortable with. They are in between infield and outfield as far as skill sets go, and they can benefit from the larger, looser webs of the outfield but may find it easier to handle the ball with a smaller, tighter glove. Once you're in the outfield, it's all about size and extending your reach. The gloves are larger, and the webs are bigger and looser.

In the outfield you'll see Trapeze webs and Ichiro webs that create a very deep ball pocket. You might also see specialty webs like the ladder web, Y web, H web or Aso web. The basic gist of these gloves is to make the ball pocket huge, so you'll make a bigger bullseye for the ball.

The gloves are larger, and some are even flared at the ends to create a funnel effect to direct the ball toward your palm.

The diamond is calling. Let Eastbay answer with our huge selection of baseball gloves! For everything baseball, we have one of the largest selections of baseball gloves available online. Gloves come in a variety of sizes and are geared to fit both the position you play and the level of your game.

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