Baseball Gloves and Mitts
Gloves and mitts mean the same thing but can be defined as two different defensive pieces of baseball equipment. The term mitt is short for mitten, which is what it means; no individual areas for the fingers like gloves have. The first baseman and the catcher are the only two positions that wear mitts, while all the other positions use gloves.
Before purchasing a new glove or mitt, you need to take into consideration the size needed, the position that is going to be played, budget amount and how long intended on using the glove or mitt for.
There is not any mitt or glove that will make you a superstar baseball player, but depending on what type of glove or mitt is chosen will certainly give you the edge and comfort needed to have a good game. After practicing and using the glove over time, it will break-in and feel even more comfortable.
Youth gloves generally range from 8” – 12”, and anything above would be for older children and adults. The idea is to try on various different sizes and styles to decide which one is the most comfortable. The glove will soften up as it is broken in.
Depending on what position will determine which type of glove would be ideal. If someone is playing first base or catcher, they will have a specialized mitt for their position. The first baseman and catcher’s mitts are more padded to withstand the amount of work that is needed to endure while catching the ball.
For high school and above, it is recommended to have a better quality glove or mitt for more competitive play. The better quality of the glove or mitt will be more durable in most circumstances. The price will be more, but it will be worth for it to last longer.
Infielder positions require different kinds of gloves such as; middle infielders and the pitcher will need a little bit of a different glove than the third or first basemen. Same with the corner infielders they require two totally different styles of gloves.
The outfielders generally use a larger and heavier type of glove that has a deeper and thicker pocket. The larger -sized glove with the heavier padding will make it easier for the player to catch fly balls.
To make sure you choose a good glove or mitt, you can do some research in advance online and also consult with someone at a sports’ store to help you decide which glove or mitt may be perfect for you.
