How to Choose the Best Softball Glove
When it comes to playing softball, you know just how important it is to have the right gear. Not only can this gear allow you to just step onto the field (you certainly can’t enter the batter’s box without a helmet, for instance!), but it also provides you with optimal defensive and offensive play.
However, all of this is irrelevant if your gear is uncomfortable!
That is why, when you are selecting your various pieces of equipment for softball, you take the utmost care in selecting the right ones before purchasing them. This is especially true for your softball glove as well. Whether you’re looking to buy softball gloves online or in-person, you need to know what features to keep in mind!
The Type of Softball You Play
First things first, you should have in mind which type of softball you will be playing: fastpitch or slowpitch. This is important to take note of because there are some key differences in gloves for each type, such as a larger size for slowpitch (to best accommodate the ball) and stronger leather in fastpitch gloves.
Your Position
Another key point to keep in mind is your position. There are specific gloves specifically tailored to improve players’ gameplay and comfort on the diamond. These include catchers, pitchers, first basemen, infielders, and outfielders.
Each of the aforementioned positions reaps major benefits when using its designated fielding glove. Catchers, for example, should use a catcher’s mitt because these look similar to a mitten, which allows catchers to snap their glove closed around the ball and also keep their hand safest from injury.
Webbing
There are even various webbing types to choose from in these specific position-dependent gloves. The webbings can either be open or closed, but there are variations of these. For fielders alone, there are seven main types: trapeze, modified trap, basket, H-web, I-web, cross, and two-piece.
First basemen gloves typically have three types of webbing: dual bar, modified H-web, and single post. And, lastly, the catcher’s mitt can come in two different webbing forms: one-piece and half-moon.
The Materials
You should also consider the types of materials used to create your desired glove. There are synthetic softball gloves, which are ideal for youth players, but there are other sturdier options for youth and adults, such as pigskin, cowhide, kip leather, full-grain leather, and steer hide leather.
The Price
While we’d all love to be able to drop hundreds and hundreds of dollars on the most state-of-the-art glove, not all of us can quite “swing” that. Fortunately, you don’t have to do that here. Find a softball glove that fits within your price range as there are gloves available that could fit healthily in nearly any budget.
How It Fits
We have saved potentially the most important consideration for last: how the glove fits you. Ultimately, you need to be comfortable with the glove that you choose to use on the diamond.
You should start by measuring from your glove hand’s index finger’s tip to the beginning of your wrist. You can even buy softball gloves online with this handy-dandy measurement!
Ultimately, the glove or mitt should fit your hand snuggly, but not so much that your fingers feel jammed in the finger stalls or your hand’s heel is sticking out of the bottom. As an aside, choose one that fits now as this isn’t an “it will be comfortable with more use” situation, such as your cleats.
When you are looking to buy softball gloves online or other pieces of softball equipment, look no further than HbSports. They have a wide range of baseball and softball gloves and other gear to satisfy anyone’s preferences and styles. Give them a call today with any questions you may have at 888-540-BATS.
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