Baseball gloves are supposed to adapt to the player’s hand, skills, and even position to ensure that a better game is achieved in every game. Grip really matters in a game of baseball and therefore you cannot be a complete player without the best baseball gloves. When looking at the gloves available on the market, you will find different sizes, fastpitch softball gloves, slowpitch softball gloves, and even left-handed gloves. The design of the gloves will determine whether they are suitable for infielders, outfielders, catchers, or pitchers.

But while most baseball gloves look very similar, there are important design elements that make them unique from one another. These are the characteristics that give baseball gloves the different fielding abilities they have. When you start by understanding the three main features, it will be easier for you to choose the most suitable gloves for your position, size and age as a player. Remember that your choice of gloves can determine the individual performance you have on the field.

1. The pocket

The indentation in the palm of the glove is what is known as the glove pocket. This is where the ball rests with each catch. Baseball gloves can have a deep or shallow pocket and the depth determines how easy it is for transfer from the glove to the throwing hand. This is the characteristic that will determine the player’s grip on the ball. Shallow glove pockets are best for quick plays and are the perfect choice for fielders who need quick ball catches and even faster throws to get the ball home. Deeper pockets, on the other hand, are better for strong, high shots, making them better suited for outfielders.

2. The girth

The baseball glove strap connects the thumb of the glove to the fingers to help players catch and hold the ball. Most gloves come with highly specialized webbing patterns to improve ball recovery, but generally the webbing can be closed or open. Closed weave patterns offer a strong and solid fabric thanks to leather patterns that are tightly woven. The result is a sturdier style for added catching support. The Closed Cinch is the perfect choice for pitchers, catchers and fielders. Open nets, on the other hand, offer faster ball transfers and are useful for catching flies because they offer better visibility. Infielders and outfielders prefer this type of strap.

3. The back

Baseball gloves have either an open back or a closed back. For the open back, the open space is above the wrist closure on the back of the glove and the design offers faster spin and mobility, especially for infielders. Closed-back gloves offer more support and strength and are therefore preferred by outfielders; the ones with a finger hole are even better because they offer extra support for catching flies. But when it comes to the back of the glove design, it’s usually a matter of player preference and nothing more.