Glove Buying Guide

The options when choosing a baseball glove can be overwhelming.  Gloves are of different web types, weights, materials, sizes and construction style. This quick-guide will help you better understand the different variables to help you choose the right glove. 

Web Types

  

H Web: Sturdy construction and a flexible pocket makes this design a popular choice for both infield and outfield positions. 

Basket Web: The closed design allows for certain advantages such as concealing the baseball for pitching or shielding players eyes from the sun when fielding. The basket weave gives this glove a soft and flexible design while keeping the weight down compared to a closed-web design, making it a good choice for any position. 

I Web: Popular glove design for infielders.  This design also has the intent of the ball consistently aligning in the same spot for quick turns at second or outfield relays.

Modified Trap: Web design allows for great flexibility for pocket forming while the top leather strip provides structure and support making this a good design for all positions.

Two-Piece Closed Web:  Often used by a pitchers, the two-piece closed web models will help conceal the ball from hitters just like basket webs, the main difference from that model being the weight and stiffness. Closed web gloves will typically be for players preferring a heavier and more stable design.

Cross Web: The single post web design lends itself to a thumb to ring finger close which naturally leads to a deeper pocket.  For this reason, this is a popular choice at 3B.

Sizes

Gloves are typically sized in inches for baseball the most common sizes range from 11" to 13".  If you are curious, this size refers to the length of a string if you were to lay it flat from the top of the index finger to the heel of the glove, as approximated in this picture:

 

11" - 12":  Small and manoeuvrable preferred by pitchers and middle infield (2B and SS).

12 1/4" - 13":  Manoeuvrability is less of a concern compared to a larger surface area for securing that fly ball or hotshot groundball, which is why bigger gloves are preferred by outfielders or corner infield.

Fit

Choose a glove that fits snugly. As the premium leather breaks in, it will soften up and form around your hand.  Do not purchase a glove so big that your hand will feel like it is swimming around inside.

Please contact us for guidance on glove fit. However, no amount of guidance can make up for feeling how a glove feels on your hand. This is why we offer free returns. If it feels great, keep it. Otherwise send it back with no cost to you.

Materials

El Clasico Baseball only offers gloves made out of premium level leather offering outstanding durability and performance. Once broken in, the glove will conform to your hand and form a beautiful pocket.

Gloves made from different materials can be the right choice depending on the need. Gloves made from synthetic or oil-treated leather require little to no break-in and are usually marketed as game-ready when new. These gloves can be solid options for young players learning to play the game.

However, as players get older, move up in leagues and the game speeds up; a properly broken in glove made of premium leather will make a world of difference. 

Weight

All of the variables discussed above along with the natural variability of the natural leather will affect glove weight. Some players feel secure with a heavier glove. Others prefer a lighter glove that is easier to handle. There isn't a right or wrong answer here, but be mindful of your preference and don't be afraid to try something new. If it feels better, you will feel more confident and in turn become a better player.

El Clasico Baseball lists glove weights in the product pages to help you decide for a glove that best fits your preferences.