Welcome to Team Sports Educational Page

The following information is from our friends at Rawlings.

All About Baseball Gloves and Baseballs:

Scroll down for the following:

Choose a glove
Breaking in a glove
Gloves by position
Glove features and construction
Fit your glove
Buying a baseball

Gloves, like the hands they fit, come in a variety of sizes. Baseball and softball gloves also are geared to fit both the position you play and the level of your game. Keep these factors in mind when you decide which style, size, features and materials best suit your game.

CHOOSING A GLOVE:

Your glove is an extension of you. It’s seamless. There’s no point where you end and the glove begins. Your glove and your hand are one. The glove just makes you better. So be better. When it comes to gloves, remember three things. Fit. Feel. Style.

FIT: Your glove should slide on and off your hand easily, without being loose. Look for a close, snug fit that’s comfortable, not tight.

FEEL: The more you play, the more you’ll determine what feels best to you. Everybody’s different. But as a general rule, your glove should be stiff enough to give strength and flexible enough for control and agility. Think freedom of motion without being floppy.

STYLE: Your glove has to deliver the message that you’re serious. Intimidate the hitter with your glove. Make him think twice before hitting your way. Choose a look and color that fits who you are. And make sure the web pattern is right for your position.

BIG LEAGUE TIP: Always buy the smallest glove to do the job properly. What you gain in glove control outweighs what you’ll lose in reach. Control is the key. When you try on gloves in a store, don’t automatically go with the first  thing that feels good. Try on several gloves. Look for gloves that aren’t too loose. The ideal glove will easily let you hold a ball, while  your palm’s face down.

    BREAKING IN A GLOVE:

WORK PADDING: Using both hands, grab the heel of your glove by each side and twist it back and forth. Do the same with the fingers and thumb of your glove. This technique will ease the tension of the fibers inside the glove padding creating a more comfortable fit.

SOFTEN LEATHER: Condition your glove with a light coating of Rawlings Glovolium leather treatment oil. This will soften your glove, increasing comfort and ability, while adding an extra layer of protection.

WRAP GLOVE: Place a Rawlings baseball in the pocket of your glove and fold it closed. Secure your glove with rubber bands and let it rest in a cool, dry place. This will allow your glove to conform to the shape of a baseball more readily and easily.

PLAY CATCH: The more you play with and use your new Rawlings glove, the better it will fit and feel to your hand.

MAINTAIN: Inspect the laces of your glove every six months and replace them as needed. Always store your glove in a cool, dry place when not in use and during the off-season. Treat your glove with Rawlings Glovolium to ensure it will last for years.

 

      GLOVES BY FIELDING POSITION:

Gloves are made to better help you field your position. A key element in determining the size mitt you buy is the position you play in the field.

Pitcher: Rule #1 – Don’t tip your pitches. Hide your grip. Grab a mid-sized glove that’s easy to control. Closed webs only! It’ll let you disguise your pitches. The better you hide the ball with your glove and your motion, the more effective you’ll be.

Catcher: You’re gonna take a pounding. And you’d better hand one out, too. Grab a glove that’s snug and secure without being too tight. You want enough padding to make your hand feel secure, while still having control to snap the glove closed and hold the ball tight. Plus, you’ve gotta have a firm grip for grabbing fouls and tagging runners at the plate. NOTE: If you catch a knuckler, you need more than luck. Get the biggest glove you’re comfortable using. Stick to the tips above. And always wait until the last second to snap the glove on the pitch. Let the pitch float as long as possible. Late snags let you frame more quickly, too.

• A fingerless mitt (it does not have individual fingers)
• Has heavy padding to reduce the sting from the pitcher's throw
• Reinforced to withstand the heavy use throughout a game

        INFIELD

• A five-fingered glove with a shallow pocket
• A youth size is between 9 - 11 inches
• Adults 10 1/2 to 11 1/2 inch is the typical baseball size
• Softball infielder gloves have a deeper pocket to accept the bigger ball
• Second basemen need a smaller glove to help make those quick throws while still having control
• Shortstops use something in the middle for grounders and quick throws
• Third basemen need a larger glove

     First Base: The game’s in your hands. It’s all about scoopin’ and snaggin’! Size matters here! Pick out a  

     big glove that’s comfortable, not clumsy. Make sure you can snap the glove closed without it feeling

     wobbly, shaky or loose. You need the perfect combination of size and control.

• Also resembles a mitten, but has less padding than the catcher's mitt
• It is longer to help the first baseman field throws from infielders
• A shallow pocket allows the first baseman to quickly retrieve the ball from the mitt

Second Base:  You’re the key to the keystone. It’s turn, fire and fly for you. You need quicker hand movement when you play between the bags. Choose a smaller glove with a shallow pocket. Open webs help you get the ball more quickly when turning too. Plus, you can block the sun and lights on high infield pops.

Short Stop: You gotta have heart and you gotta have a gun for those smashes to the hole, or you’re not long for this position. Control is key for your glove. You need quicker hand movement than just about anyone else. Go to a smaller glove with a shallow pocket. You’ve gotta make the stab, but come up quick. Demand an open web. It’ll help you get the ball more quickly on double plays and let you block sun and lights on high pops. 

Third Base: Guard the line. None shall pass. Not a smokin’ smash or a hot one-hopper. Glove control rules at the hot corner. Choose a smaller glove with a shallow pocket. You  may want to try a mid-size, but make sure you can handle bunts efficiently. If not, drop the mid and go small. An open web will let you get the ball more quickly on bunts and scoops. Plus, open webs work to block sun and lights on mile high pops.

      OUTFIELD

• Usually sized at 12 to12 1/2-inches for adults, about 11 inches for children
• A deeper pocket to handle balls hit high in the air
• Longer length to give as much reach as possible
• If you plan to play several positions, find a glove that provides the most control for a variety of outfield positions

Left Field: Take the field and cop an attitude. Every two-bit right-hander’s gonna try to take you down the line. Send every one of ‘em a message. Grab some bench! Your glove needs extra strength and added reach for tailing smashes. Grab a large glove with a large pocket. Some guys even go oversized, but it’s really not necessary. Make sure the glove feels comfortable and not clumsy. Use the outfielder’s law: Grab an open web model, so you can block the sun or lights on high flies.

Center Field: Center field is center stage. You’d better be able to cover ground, climb walls and take charge. There’s no hidin’ here. Play it slick and you’ll be a legend. For the glove, go for extra strength and added reach. Grab a large or oversized glove with a large pocket. Make sure the glove feels comfortable and not clumsy. Remember, most diving catches come in Center. For the high flies, choose an open web—use it to block the sun or lights.

Right Field:  You wanna play Right? This is the stud position on the field. You’d better have a cannon for an arm. And be slick with the glove. Great Right fielders are human highlight reels! For the glove, go for extra strength and added reach. Grab a large glove with a large pocket. Make sure the glove feels comfortable and not clumsy. And choose an open web – use it to block the sun or lights when you’re camping under a high fly.

Softball gloves:

• Generally larger both in the pocket and length to help players handle the larger ball
• If you play both baseball and softball, and you only want to buy one glove, select a softball glove

 

Find the Features that Fit Your Game

Today's gloves have different features built-in to help your game and to suit your ability. Here are the key features constructed into gloves and what to consider in finding the glove that suits you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GLOVE FEATURES AND CONSTRUCTION

• The size of the pocket depends on your position
• Shallow pockets really help middle infielders quickly grab the ball and throw
• Deeper pockets help outfielders shag down fly balls
• Softball players also need a bigger pocket to catch the bigger ball

WEB:  The web is the piece which connects the fingers and the thumb and allows for secure control of the ball upon impact. Rawlings introduced lacing to the web in 1948 with the PM1. The fingers were laced together for control.

• Different styles of webbing are available to either help you better field your position or to fit your preference
• A closed web is preferred for pitchers who want to hide the ball from the batter
• Outfielders and third basemen like the extra support from a closed web
• An open web helps middle infielders get the ball out of their gloves quicker to make throws

BACK: The reverse palm side of the glove provides fit and shape to the glove and stabilizes your hand upon ball impact. Most outfielders use a closed back or Fastback, which provides additional size without loss of control. Most infielders prefer an open back design.

The type of back is matter of personal preference, but some styles fit some positions better

• The open back leaves a space open across the glove's back
• Middle infielders prefer this for the flexibility
• Outfielders prefer a closed back with a "finger hole" for extra support

FASTBACK: Rawlings introduced the Fastback in 1971. This innovation lowered the finger stalls in the linings, thus allowing for better control and creating the ability to make gloves larger than 12 in size.

FINGERLOOP: Rawlings added this innovation to the glove with a patent in 1944. The loops were added to the glove to hold your hand in place, offering increased control and allowing you to more easily close the glove.

HEEL: The heel is the lower portion of the glove, palm side, which provides protection and determines the break of a glove.

HOLDSTER: The Holdster was patented by Rawlings in 1971 to save wear and tear on the joint of your index finger. It is a pear-shaped opening offering extra protection for the index finger. Rawlings patented the Laceless Finger Holdster in 2002 to make this innovation more comfortable.

LACES: Laces are the strips that connect the fingers and the web, providing shape to the glove. Leather is the preferred lacing material, as it allows the laces to break in as the glove breaks in. In fact, lace is so critical that Rawlings has their own tannery to produce laces for high-end gloves.

LINING:  Lining is an inner material on the palm and back of the hand, providing comfort to the player.

WELTING: Welting is material used to hold the shape of a glove and stabilize the pieces of the glove. Without welting, the glove would stretch out of shape during break-in.

WRIST ADJUSTMENT:

• Gloves come with an adjustment to keep it snug. Not all gloves have these "fit systems."
• A D-ring fastener allows you to pull on the lacing and make the glove tighter or looser
• A Velcro fastener although it may wear quicker, offers convenience of pulling and adjusting to fit your comfort level
• A Lacing adjustment allows you to loosen or tighten the wrist fastener with leather laces.
• A Buckle system adjusts the glove with a buckle similar to an adjustable hat

PADDING:

• The amount of padding in the pocket depends on the position played
• The catcher's mitt has more padding to handle hard throws from a pitcher
• Glove makers have been adding more padding for other positions as well to help players handle the sting of hard-hit balls
• There also may be padding in the wrist area to make the glove more comfortable

MATERIALS:

Gloves come in a variety of materials, with the difference being in the feel and durability.

• Leather
  • Materials of choice for gloves
  • Leather offers the best comfort, control and feel
  • The better the leather, the better the glove
• Treated leather
  • Leather is treated and softened with chemicals for faster break-in and increased durability
  • Treated leather also reduces the care needed for the glove and helps the glove keep its shape
• Synthetic materials
  • A lighter, less-durable material
  • Less expensive, good for youngsters
  • Won't withstand the wear and tear of playing ball nearly as well as leather

Rawlings Leather

Leather has some inherent advantages over synthetic material. Leathers have no memory, meaning you can shape the glove through the break-in process and form the pocket to your playing preference. Synthetics, however, have a memory that does not allow you to form the pocket.

KIP:  Glove Type – Pro Preferred Series. Determined by the size of the hide, kip hides weigh 30 lbs or less. This leather is cleaner, with fewer imperfections and tighter grain construction. Kip leather is supple and will allow you to break the glove in to your playing preference. Kip can be found only in Rawlings Pro Preferred series gloves.

STEERHIDE: Glove Type - Heart of the Hide Series. Heart of the Hide leather is a steer hide taken from the prime cut or center back of the hide. Leather from this area has less stretch in them, resulting in a firm and easier to shape glove. This top-grade leather helps mold the glove to the hand and gives the proper feel and sensitivity needed for top-level play. Through the leather selection process, only the top five percent of the hides qualify for Heart of the Hide leather. Heart of the Hide leather is available exclusively in Rawlings Heart of the Hide series gloves.

OIL-TANNED COWHIDE: Glove Type – Heritage Series. Cowhide is a bigger side, thinner leather typically used in linings due to increased frequency of blemishes. These leathers are typically 50 to 60 feet per hide. Oil-tanned cowhide has a softer, more supple feel which  makes the glove easier to break-in. These leathers can be found in Rawlings Silverback, Heritage, and The Bull series gloves.

DRY-TANNED COWHIDE: Glove Type – Player Preferred Series. Cowhide is a bigger side, thinner leather typically used in linings due to increased frequency of blemishes. These leathers are typically 50 to 60 feet per hide. Dry-tanned cowhide contains less oil than the deer or oil-tanned counterparts, resulting in a lighter glove. This leather can be found in Rawlings Player Preferred Series.

PIGSKIN: Glove Type – Player Preferred Series. Pigskin is a full-grain leather that is much more pliable and flexible than steerhide. Pigskin is used as a shell material in youth pattern size gloves and as a lining in select adult gloves due to its soft texture. Pigskin is a thinner leather with less shape retention ability. Thus, this leather that is not recommended for use in 12” or larger gloves if shape and durability is important.

SPLIT: Glove Type – Players Series. Hides vary in thickness. They are thinner near the belly and thicker towards the back. Leathers are skived in the manufacturing process for consistency in the thickness of the full grain leathers. The top level, full-grain, is represented in the previous leather descriptions. The bottom level, split, has very little ability to shape or control the fiber. Split leather can be found in Rawlings Players Series gloves. 

 

FIT THE GLOVE TO YOUR HAND:

Although age is also a factor, the position you play is the most important consideration in choosing a baseball or softball glove.

Youngsters/Beginners

• Youth models are smaller to help kids maintain control
• Avoid the urge to buy a bigger glove that you'll grow into
• Kids under the age of 8 should stick with a glove from 9 to 11 inches
• Kids from 8 to early teens, consider an 11-inch glove
• Beginners also benefit from the added control that they get from smaller gloves

High School/ Adult

• Outfielders need 12 to 12 1/2 inch gloves with deeper pockets
• Infielders need smaller gloves (10 1/2 to 11 1/2 inch) with shallower pockets for better control and quicker ball transfer
• Pitchers can go with a slightly larger glove than infielders but still need a small enough glove for fielding and throwing quickly
• Softball players require gloves that are slightly longer in length and deeper in the pocket to help field the bigger ball
•  

Buying a Ball

Balls come in different sizes, materials and hardness.

• Most baseballs are 9 inches in circumference
• Leagues for under-10 year old players may use a slightly larger ball
• Softballs typically are 12 inches in circumference, while some women's and youth leagues usually an 11 inch ball

Materials

Balls are manufactured out of leather or synthetic leather. There are also safety balls for younger players.

• Leather is used in the Major Leagues and other upper-level leagues
• Synthetic leather is used primarily for balls in the Little League age group and younger
• "Safety balls" are engineered to play like a real ball without the sting of a hard ball. Known as "Reduced Injury Factor" or RIF balls, they roll and bounce like their harder cousins, but don't hurt as much if the player gets hit.