You see the hitter smashing the ball; it flies into the air, your eyes follow the ball, not losing concentration for even a second, you run along with it, make that dive, and… ouch! The ball hurt your palm.
You caught it, but why did it hurt your hand even with your glove on?
I’ll tell you why it’s because your gloves are worn out or are not of the best quality as they should be.
Your glove is not protecting you from the ball’s sting like baseball gloves are supposed to.
It is nothing to worry about, though; this is just the right time to replace them.
I will help you with that by listing some of the best baseball gloves to make this replacement worth it.
Best Baseball Gloves for This Season
I’ve organized these gloves by the positions they’re most suited for to make things simpler.
This list has some of the top-rated gloves from the best brands out there. It sure is worth your time to go through each one of them.
Best Infield Baseball Gloves
Infielders prefer gloves with five fingers and a deeper pocket for easier transfers and throwing the runner out at the first base.
Closed web types to stop hard-hit balls and an H or I web to make quick releases simpler since dirt slips out readily from the holes in these web styles, which tends to mess with a player’s hold on the ball, are the most preferred infielder web styles.
Best baseball gloves for infield positions are:
1. Rawling Encore 11.72″ Baseball Glove
- Age Group: 10-12, 13-15
- Position: Infield (Shortstop, Third Base)
- Size: 11.75 inch
- Color: Black, Gray, Silver
- Web Type: Fully Closed
- Throwing Hand: Right, Left
The Rawling Encore line is aimed at youth and pre-teens, although it may as well suit some adults.
It is an all-leather glove, giving it an unrivaled level of durability.
An index finger pad is included on the shell backing for comfort and protection.
With its extended pocket base, this series has taken sting protection and glove catchability to the next level.
The extended pocket base includes changing the web’s base to extend the catching surface inside the web while simultaneously moving the hand away from the ball’s contact zone.
The web style of the glove allows you to wrap your fingers entirely around the ball within the web.
Perfect for the players, this glove’s durability and unique web design make it an excellent choice.
For the infield position, Rawlings Encore is my favorite glove. If you talk about the price, it’s less than $200. You can check the price on Amazon. I also compared the price on other websites like Just Gloves, Baseball Express, Eastbay, etc. But, there is no significant difference in the price.
If you want to check, here are the direct links:
So, if you want to buy from any other place, feel free to do that. But, I feel Amazon is the best place because the price is almost the same in all the places, but Amazon offers the best and quick service.
2. Akadema ProSoft Select Series 12″ Baseball Glove
- Age Group: 13-15
- Position: Infield (Shortstop, Third Base)
- Size: 12 inch
- Color: Black, Tan
- Web Type: H-Web
- Throwing Hand: Right, Left
This Akadema glove is a little longer than the average infield glove, and it’s constructed of lightweight Pro Soft leather that’s ready to use straight out of the box.
With H-web style, this glove becomes ideal for a shortstop as the grip on the ball will not loosen due to the deposition of dirt.
The glove’s length makes it excellent for shortstop and third base, where the primary aim is to put as much leather on the ball as possible.
For the infield position, Akadema ProSoft Glove is my second choice. In the below, you can check its price. But, as told earlier, Rawlings Encore is my first choice.
Best Outfield Baseball Gloves
Outfielders prefer bigger gloves with deeper pockets since they are always on the move or diving to get to a ball fast.
Longer gloves aid outfielders in expanding their reach, while a deeper pocket aids in keeping the ball safe in the glove.
Outfielders need a design that covers quickly, such as the Trap web type, which prevents the ball from popping out as soon as it reaches the palm.
Some of the best gloves for outfield position are:
1. Mizuno Prime Elite 12.75″ Baseball Glove
- Age Group: 13-15
- Position: Outfield
- Size: 12.75 inch
- Color: Brown
- Web Type: Modified-T
- Throwing Hand: Right, Left
With its 12.75-inch length and Modified trap web design, Mizuno’s Prime Elite is ideal for outfielders.
Rolled welting makes this glove structure more defined, and the extremely soft palm liner provides comfort to the hand.
In addition, since the glove is so long, it will weigh a lot, which will make it a bit unpleasant for the player.
To alleviate this discomfort, holes have been cut in the glove’s thumb and pinky to lower the weight.
With a luxurious feel and long-lasting durability, this mahogany-colored glove is a must-have.
For the outfield position, Mizuno Prime Elite is my number one choice. I love the design, and quality of the glove. However, you can also go with my number two outfield glove.
2. Wilson A1000 12.5″ Baseball Glove
- Age Group: 10-12, 13-15
- Position: Outfield
- Size: 12.5 inch
- Color: Brown
- Web Type: Modified-T
- Throwing Hand: Right
Wilson’s A1000 is built from full-grain leather that only improves with age and use.
The glove features a modified trap web type, which is even more stable than the usual trap since it includes an extra strip of leather at the glove’s top, making it much more stable.
Due to the dual welting on this glove, the pocket is even more structured to meet the needs of outfielders.
This glove’s durability is enhanced by dual welting.
This should be your choice as an outfielder due to its ideal length and depth of the pocket.
My number two glove for the outfield position is Wilson A1000. But, this glove is as good as the Mizuno Prime Elite. So, you can go with any of them.
Best Baseball Gloves For Pitchers
The only thing a pitcher’s glove should be good at is hiding the ball well enough that the hitter has no idea what the following delivery will be.
Gloves should be relatively long and have a closed webbing design for this.
Also, a pitcher scarcely fields; therefore, there is no need for extra paddings and other protective linings in a glove.
Some of the best baseball gloves for pitchers are:
1. Wilson A2000 A12 12″ Baseball Glove
- Age Group: 13-15
- Position: Infield (Shortstop, Third base), Pitcher
- Size: 12.75 inch
- Color: Brown
- Web Type: Modified-T
- Throwing Hand: Right, Left
Wilson’s A2000 is stiffer than the A1000 and takes a while to break in. However, you can read this article to learn how to quickly break in your glove.
It’s constructed of pro stock leather, so it’ll last a long time.
Pitchers who want a glove that resembles an infielder will enjoy this glove, and it will come in useful if you ever play the position of an infielder.
This glove is one of the best adult baseball gloves on the market and is suitable for a broad age range from youth to adults.
If you need a pitching glove, then there is nothing better than Wilson A2000. You can buy this glove on Amazon. But, you should also check this A2000 Glove on the Official Wilson website. Not only that, there are many other NEW Models of Wilson A2000 gloves available that are specially designed for pitchers.
Here, you can see there are 10 different models of Wilson A2000 (Offical Wilson Website), and each of them is designed for a pitcher.
2. Rawlings Heart Of The Hide Hyper Shell 11.75″ Baseball Glove
- Age Group: 13-15
- Position: Infield (Shortstop, Third base), Pitcher
- Size: 11.75 inch
- Color: Black
- Web Type: Fully Closed, Two-Piece Closed
- Throwing Hand: Right, Left
The Rawlings Heart Of The Hide Hypershell glove is 15% lighter than standard leather and feels ultra-lightweight.
It’s made from an 11.75-inch 205-pattern known for its deep pocket and adaptability.
With its deer-tanned cowhide inside, cushioned thumb sleeve, and thermoformed wrist lining, this pitcher’s glove provides outstanding comfort and feel.
When you think this glove couldn’t get much better, you’ll notice the close web design, which makes it excellent for a pitcher. If you want to know more about different web types, you can read this article on glove webbings.
All of these features are encased in a striking, sophisticated black design, making this the best-looking glove on the list.
For the pitching position, I also like Rawlings Heart of the Hide. Just like Wilson A2000, this is one of the finest baseball gloves.
Best First Base Mitt
Grounders are scooped up with a long, broad mitt by first basemen. First basemen can better receive infielders’ throws when the construction of the mitt is longer.
To endure the high number of catches, their mitts include a larger pocket.
First baseman’s mitts mostly feature open-style webbing, such as a single or dual post, which may dig out uncontrolled throws or ground balls without bringing up a lot of dirt.
Some of the best first base mitts are:
1. Rawlings Heart Of The Hide 13″ First Base Mitt
- Age Group: 13-15
- Position: First Base
- Size: 13 inch
- Color: Black, Tan
- Web Type: Single Post
- Throwing Hand: Right, Left
With its ultra-premium Rawlings steer-hide leather construction, this mitt is designed to provide you with the optimum pocket fit.
Leather from the top 5% of Rawlings’ hides is used in the construction of the glove’s shell.
This glove’s laces are also constructed of pro-quality leather, ensuring that the gloves will last for many seasons to come.
The single post web type and 13″ length produce a constant pocket and are perfect for the ball to be received or scooped.
This Rawlings Heart of the Hide is designed for the first base position. You can check its price here.
2. Shoeless Joe Professional 12″ First Base Mitt
- Age Group: 10-12, 13-15
- Position: First Base
- Size: 12 inch
- Color: Brown
- Web Type: Single Post
- Throwing Hand: Right, Left
Using unique aged antique tobacco leather hides, the Shoeless Joe gloves are uniquely hand-cut and made by skilled artisans.
The Shoeless Joe Glove First Base Mitt is rubbed by hand using aged substances to soften the leather before going through the breaking-in process, which gives the glove a beaten appearance and feel.
The length of the glove and the kind of web all support the requirement for a first baseman.
Extreme Impact Protection Technology of the glove absorbs energy and lessens the sting.
I know, this mitt doesn’t look good in the images, but this is really good. You can check its price here.
Best Catcher’s Mitt
To decrease the pain of the pitcher’s toss, catchers should utilize a fingerless glove with thick cushioning.
A catcher’s mitt often features closed webbing, which gives greater support for catching balls moving at high speed.
Some of the best catcher’s mitts are:
1. All-Star Pro Elite 33.5″ Baseball Catcher’s Mitt
- Age Group: 13-15
- Position: Catcher
- Size: 33.5 inch
- Color: Black, Tan
- Web Type: Two-Piece Closed, Fully Closed
- Throwing Hand: Right
The glove is made of Japanese tanned American steer hide.
If a player puts their index finger on the outside of the mitt, the index finger hood provides extra protection and comfort.
Scooping is made easier with the extended pocket and profiled toe. You can also read my review of the All-Star Pro Elite Catcher’s Mitt.
When it comes to the premium catcher’s mitt, then there is no doubt, that All-Star Pro Elite is one of the most trusted mitts. You can trust this mitt, and buy it if you want. You can check its current price here.
Another great catcher’s mitt is again from All-Star. It is All-Star CM3000SBT Catchers Mitt.
2. Shoeless Joe Professional Series 34″ Catcher’s Mitt
- Age Group: 13-15
- Position: Catcher
- Size: 34 inch
- Color: Brown
- Web Type: Two-Piece Closed, Fully Closed
- Throwing Hand: Right, Left
Hand-rubbed using old-time ingredients to make the leather softer, this item is made from specially aged antique tobacco leather.
It has a wrist protector to guard against injury to the skin just below the wrist where the hand enters the glove.
With a fully closed web design and a 34-inch glove length, this glove suits a catcher the best.
If you’re looking for an affordable option, then the best mitt that I found is Shoeless Joe Professional Series Catcher’s Mitt. You can check its price here.
It is cheaper than All-Star but still worth a buy. You can also buy this mitt.
Final Thoughts
The criteria and basic broad specifics regarding what the glove should be like at a particular position may not fit you, but they are largely accepted.
Regardless of what you want in a glove and how much budget you have to work with, this article has compiled a list of some of the greatest options based on a player’s position.
I hope you discover the glove that makes you the most comfortable in this essay.
