How to Measure a Baseball Glove

The most important piece of equipment in baseball isn't the bat; it's the glove.  If a player's glove is poorly fitted, he or she will suffer a dramatic loss of control and dexterity, reducing his or her effectiveness and granting the opposing team a significant advantage.  Before outfitting for the game, make sure you have the proper equipment.  Even the smallest disadvantage may end up costing you the game.

1. First, you need to determine whether you are shopping for a glove or a mitt.  The primary difference between the two is that gloves have individual fingers, while mitts do not.  Mitts have the edge in scooping up ground balls or balls that are barely hopping above the ground.  If you are shopping for a first baseman or a catcher, you will be shopping for a mitt.  Otherwise, you will be wanting a glove.
2. To measure the glove, you will need a flexible cloth measuring tape.  The glove is measured from the tip of the index finger down along the palm side of the glove to the heel of the glove.  Make sure to lay the tape down flat against the glove to ensure an accurate measurement.  Gloves will range from 9 inches for a youth starter size glove to about 12-13 inches for an adult size glove.
3. Since first base mitts do not have fingers, simply use the top of the inner pocket as the starting point and continue downward as you would with a glove.  Measurements will range from about 11 inches for a youth size to 13 inches for an adult size.
4. Catcher's mitts are a slightly different animal from first base mitts.  They usually have extra padding to protect the player's fingers and are of a slightly different design.  To measure a catcher's mitt, lay it face down on a flat surface and use the cloth measuring tape to measure the circumference.  Youth sizes tend to range between 30 and 32 inches, and adult sizes range to about 36 inches.

Tips and Warnings

• Do not buy a glove that is too large for your player.  Doing so will result in a lack of control and considerable frustration.
• Never condition your glove in the microwave or oven.  Doing so will damage the leather.  Instead, use a glove oil or cream-based conditioner that does not contain any silicon.
• Female gloves are made a bit more narrow with smaller wrist openings, so please shop accordingly.