When playing baseball games, you are more often than not likely to suffer injuries especially if you lack professional catching techniques. In fact, for youths, you will need to baseball gloves even if you are a professional in the game This is not only painful and frustrating but could also distract you from your normal schedule. For this reason, for you to be in a position to play your baseball games without fear of having to suffer some consequences thereafter, you could consider using baseball gloves. These will help you prevent having injuries when catching the baseball. Additionally, the gloves make you look more professional when playing the game.
Below is comprehensive information on the considerations that you need to make when purchasing baseball gloves to help you ensure that you make the best choice. You will also get to understand the pros and cons of some of the Best Youth Baseball Gloves to help you make the best choice for use especially by a youth.
See Also : Best Youth Baseball Bats | Best Batting Tees
Best Youth Baseball Gloves 2020
#1. Rawlings Select Pro Lite Youth Series Baseball Glove
Rawlings Select Pro Lite is a renowned youth series glove for playing baseball. Modeled after Bryce Harper’s professional glove, its stylish 12-inch design fits most youths. Its taper fit pattern enables people to control golf balls better, while its all-leather lacing is flexible. The latter makes Rawlings Select Pro Lite perfect for outfield players. Finally, if you are looking for a comfortable glove, consider buying Rawlings Select Pro. It has a padded index finger and palm. It also has a cushioned finger back with a soft lining that prevents irritation. Off the shelf, this glove comes 90% broken in. They offer an exciting collection of popular pro player designs to give aspiring big leaguers the same glove styling and features of their favorite stars like Kris Bryant or Manny Machado. All models in this collection offer a Youth Pro Taper fit ideal for players who desire a slightly smaller hand opening from the standard fit for greater control.
Features of Rawlings Select Pro Lite Youth Series Baseball Glove
- Has cushioned finger back.
- Is a comfortable 12-inch design.
- Has an all leather lacing
- Paddled palm and finger back.
- Comes 90% broken in.
- Has pro style features.
- Light weight soft leather .
- Index finger absorbs shock.
- Paddled palm .
- There are different sizes for different players.
- Easy to break in and form
- It is good for use by beginners.
- Made with soft leather thus making it great
- Infielder glove.
- Could be highly priced for some people.
- Not readily available in all places
#2. Franklin Sports Fast Pitch Pro Series Softball Gloves|
Buy Franklin Sports to get a 9.5-inch recreational baseball glove for fielding. Its green and blue theme is stylish. Made of technical mesh, its shell is lightweight and comfortable. It does not restrain and or irritate the hand, as some leather gloves often do. This is invaluable. If you train or compete for hours often, therefore, you will enjoy using this baseball glove. Beginners also find it fun to use. The Fast Pitch Pro Series offers a quality line of softball gloves utilizing a lightweight, technical-mesh shell and a soft, PU-laminated palm for the ultimate in comfort and performance. An adjustable wrist strap provides a custom and versatile fit. When fast pitch softball players fall in love with the sport and dedicate themselves to improving and playing at the top levels, their equipment should be top notch. However, in the earliest stages of a young player’s development, the best of the best equipment simply is not necessary.
Key Features and specifications
- Polyurethane laminated palm.
- Synthetic leather.
- Full mesh back
- Basket web.
- Large pocket.
- Hook-and-loop closure.
- Lightweight thus comfortable when playing in them
- Adjustable wrist closure
- Has a full mesh back
- Soft up-laminated palm construction
- Durable leather
- Strap is not made of Velcro.
- The stitching is not of the best quality
#3. Rawlings Storm Youth Fast Pitch Softball Glove
This a good glove to use especially for people who are beginners in the game. It comes in varying sizes, and retails for a fairly cheap price. Depending on size, handedness, and color, the glove’s price can be significantly under the $50 mark. Sizes of the Rawlings Storm Youth vary from a 10” to a 12.5”. Make your size-decision based on the position of the player as well as hand-size. This glove comes game-ready, and will not require much break-in time at all. It comes in a grey/purple colorway, as well as a grey/pink colorway. It can be considered a budget-glove, but it is definitely not a bad glove, regardless. The Storm is meant for youth players, preferably under the age of 12 years old.
The youth version of the Rawlings Storm comes with cushioned finger back linings for extra comfort. Also, the glove features a cushioned palm area to soften catch-impact for the player. The Youth Storm comes with a Velcro hand-adjuster for different sized wrists. It is immediately apparent just how soft this glove is, as the leather is somewhat plushy-feeling. The Rawlings Storm Youth also comes with a basket web to ensure catches, and the all-leather pocket will break in so no balls pop out of the basket. The pocket is deep, and the finger holes are small, making catches even easier to be made. The mesh back combined with neo-flex technology makes for a rather lightweight model.
Key Features and specifications
- Cushioned Finger Back Lining Offers Added Comfort.
- Funnel Web.
- Game Ready Feel from Day One
- Neo-Flex Conventional Open Back.
- Palm Pad Increases Impact Protection.
- Soft, All-Leather Shell Promotes Durability & Shape Retention.
- Softball Specific Pocket Design.
- Sure Catch Design Allows for Easier Closure & More Control
- Velcro Wrist Strap Delivers a More Customized Fit
- Soft on the inner side to provide comfort.
- Good for use by children below the age of eight years
- To ensure a good or other better performance, there is a basket web pattern
- Hyperlite design for durability
- Flexible and easy to control
- Comes in small sizes for beginner ages (3-5)
- Only right-handed
#4. Mizuno GPP1150Y1 Youth Prospect Ball Glove
Several brands of baseball gloves look the same. However, before paying a hefty amount for one, make sure that it will improve your performance. Mizuno Prospect, for instance, is a popular model for youths and kids. Made of full-grain leather, this is a durable item. It does not stretch or rips as easily as some lightweight synthetic materials often do. The unique power close technology that it has is also one of a kind. Because of its fast response rate, it makes catching baseballs at high speed easy. Fitted with a premium MZO lining, Mizuno Prospect has a comfortable Butter Soft palm. Once you have secured it well (Power Lock Strap), you can play for long without issues. Mizuno is a great baseball glove manufacturer, especially for beginners. The best feature on this glove is the Mizuno trademarked “Power Close” technology. This technology has hinge-like features on the glove so it can open and close quickly and easily. Other Mizuno trademarked technologies in this glove are their Sure Fit foam finger slots, Para Flex Palm designs, and Para Shock, which all provide comfort, protection, and a snug fit to your hand. Meaning you can catch any fast and hard balls without the sting. The Mizuno Prospect baseball glove also has a Velcro wrist adjustment strap to support the wrist and hold the glove on better.
Key Features and specifications
- Funnel Web.
- Game Ready Feel from Day One.
- Neo-Flex Conventional Open Back
- Palm Pad Increases Impact Protection.
- Soft, All-Leather Shell Promotes Durability & Shape Retention.
- Softball Specific Pocket Design
- Sure Catch Design Allows for Easier Closure & More Control
- Excellent webbing that provides for improved performance.
- Soft inner padding for protection from shock and vibrations
- Modeled according to the different skill
- Durable and hence reliable
- Lightweight design hence easy handling
- The size is smaller than indicated in the gloves.
- Sizing may not be accurate hence requires allowance with a few inches
#05. Wilson A2000 Baseball Glove Series
The Wilson A2000 Baseball Gloves Series is full of just plain great gloves, for everyone from elite high school players to a rec league adult shortstops. The 11.5-inch infield glove model is particularly popular, featuring Pro-H webbing, dual welting in the pocket, and a DriLex Wrist Lining to protect you from sweat. However, the 11.5-inch infield glove is just one of many.
The A2000 series has infield, outfield, pitcher, first base, and catcher’s gloves available, often in either hand orientation. There are dozens of color and design options, such as classic blond, black, and red or orange and black. Additionally, the A2000 series features a number of signature glove options from some of the biggest names in the Major Leagues. Dustin Pedroia, Jose Altuve, Clayton Kershaw, and others have their own A2000 gloves that can easily be yours.
The variety of options in the A2000 series is undoubtedly a benefit for players, allowing them to get exactly the size, design, webbing, and pocket they want. However, there is some consistency among all of the model options. All A2000 baseball gloves are made of high-end and durable leather. And the glove has a perfect Amazon rating from hundreds of satisfied customers, who describe how happy they are with the glove or how much their son or grandson loves it.
Key Features and specifications
- Produced by a leading expert in the baseball sporting equipment.
- Can withstand wear without a decline in its performance.
- Fits well and features wrist closures
- Comfortable and securely firm when playing.
- Its length is 10’’
- Available in different colors thus allowing you to pick the best
- Available in different sizes
- Made with high quality and durable leather
- Fairly priced to make it affordable
- Protects you from inner sweat
- Not readily available in all areas
- Longer break-in period
#6. Easton Z-Flex 10″ Youth Baseball Glove
Coming from the Fine collection of Easton, this baseball glove is a must-have for beginners. Its exceptional softness makes it extremely easy to use. This glove features a 10.00-inch utility pattern and a grab-all web design. Finely crafted using ultra-soft leather, this baseball glove for young players is lightweight and long-lasting. The patented Z-Flex Technology provides secure and seamless closure. This Flexible Z-Flex glove also boasts a 2-1-1 Finger design that provides more leverage to the player when closing the glove.
Features of Rawlings Select Pro Lite Youth Series Baseball Glove
- Best for use by beginners.
- Has a 2-1-1 finger design.
- Lock down adjustable wrist strap
- Ultra-soft leather.
- Has a 10-inch pattern.
- Best for use by beginners.
- Lightweight and long lasting
- Has an ultra-soft leather.
- Provides secure and seamless closure.
- Easy for use especially by beginners.
- Ideal for use by kids
- Has an extended stall length.
- Has lightweight leather for better control
- Lockdown adjustable wristband
- Not readily available in all places
- Not fairly priced to make it affordable
#07. All Star Pro Advanced CM1100 Youth 31.5″ Catcher’s Mitt – RHT
Introducing the BEST Youth Catcher’s Mitt in the game, fresh from one of the top manufacturer’s in the industry, All Star. The All Star Youth Cather’s Mitt is designed for the serious youth ball player that is looking to develop and expand their game. This series incorporates exclusive Japanese Tanned Steer Hide Leather, and this high-end material allows for a fast break-in and extended life. Only the finest materials and hand craftsmanship have been selected to make these exceptional, high-end market mitts. The Soft Tan Leather pocket allows for an improved feel and gives the ball that extra pop that the pitchers like, and look for. The black back gives this mitt just the right amount of support for handling, and most importantly, controlling the ball. The extended pro pocket provides the necessary strength and support to guarantee a high performance every time. Don’t forget about the smooth back design with a locking tab back that completely eliminates bulk, improves comfort, and allows for easy adjustment. Individually handmade, each glove is a work of art.
Key Features and specifications
- Youth Model – Smaller Hand Opening, Tighter Finger Stalls.
- Japanese Tanned U.S. Steer hide
- Popular Black and Tan Combo
- Pre-Oiled Treatment for a Quicker Break-In.
- Velcro Back.
- Extended Pocket with Profiled Toe Makes Scooping Easier.
- Free Shipping.
- 100 Day Love Your Glove Guarantee
- It is a good looking glove
- Extended pocket for strength and support
- Attached wrist protector
- Has an adjustable Velcro opening
- Manufacturers offer a one-year warrant
- Could take one a while to break in
- Could have minimal protection for the palm or thumb
#08. Nokona Alpha Select – Best Youth Baseball Gloves
All of the Nokona products are not only American made, but they are also handmade by expert baseball glove makers. These gloves are top of the line and created from full grain and high-quality leather. A little heavier than the average baseball glove, this glove is durable and can prepare the young baseball players for their next level. With a modified trapeze webbing, this glove has a wide flexibility range to help with easy opening and closing. Although a little pricey this glove is built to last and will not let you down in the years to come.
Key Features and specifications
- Polyurethane laminated palm.
- Synthetic leather.
- Full mesh back
- Basket web.
- Large pocket.
- Hook-and-loop closure.
- Made using durable materials
- Affordable
- Soft on the inner side to provide comfort
- Good for use by children below the age of eight years
- To ensure a good or other better performance, there is a basket web pattern
- Could be too soft on the inside for one to play in.
- Not designed specifically for outfield positions
Buying Guide for Youth Baseball Gloves
Material
More often than not, Baseball Gloves are made of leather as this is the best material to help them serve their purpose. For this reason, when buying the gloves, ensure that you buy leather gloves. Additionally, ensure that the kind of leather that you are buying is one that will serve you well, that is one that is durable and will not demand you to keep on investing from time to time. Different leather types will affect the way the gloves look, feel, durability and even the price that they will go for. Therefore, be keen to help you avoid investing in a glove whose material will make you have regrets.
Pocket Size
The pocket is just below the web, right in the center of the action. A comfortable pocket is important for a comfortable glove. You won’t find much padding in the pocket of an infielder’s glove or an outfielder’s glove, but you will find a ton in a first baseman’s mitt and a catcher’s mitt. Softball gloves tend to have a deeper pocket than baseball gloves, obviously to accommodate the larger ball. Infielders’ gloves have shallower pockets so the fielder can find the ball for a quicker transfer. Make sure a baseball or softball can fit in the pocket and that the glove can close securely around it. You won’t always catch the ball cleanly in the web, and if the pocket can’t handle the job of ball security, you might as well start shopping for new Baseball Gloves.
Finger of The Gloves
The fingers of the glove are where your fingers go. In infielder’s and outfielder’s gloves, there will be individual places for each of your fingers. In a catcher’s mitt and a first-baseman’s mitt, you will just have one space that all of your fingers fit into. It is not a coincidence that baseball gloves and mitts are defined exactly the same way as the gloves and mitts you would wear in cold weather. When evaluating a glove, make sure you have enough room in the glove for your fingers to fit. Don’t forget your batting glove, if you’re someone who prefers to wear one in the field. There is no need to worry about how far up into the glove your fingers go, though. You are barely going to get them halfway in. Just make sure there’s enough space for them, and make sure the glove isn’t so big that it’s difficult for your fingers to control. The control if the glove comes down entirely to how easily your fingers and thumb can manipulate the leather. If your glove is too big, you’ll be able to tell by how your fingers feel inside the Baseball Gloves.
Pitchers
Pitchers don’t have a specialized glove. If you are a pitcher, chances are you play another position on your off days, so you can just bring that glove to the mound with you. If you pitch in a competitive environment, a closed web is preferable so you can hide your grip from the hitter while the ball is still in the glove. If you are a full-time pitcher and you are searching for just one glove, you should look for a glove large enough to conceal your hand. In all likelihood, though, the Gloves you use in the field will be just fine on the mound.
Durability
Being a game that you will play from time to time, it is likely that you will spend a lot of time playing it. For this reason, in case the gloves that you are using are not high quality gloves, you are likely to end up being in a situation where you will keep on purchasing floes from time to time. For this reason, when buying them, ensure that what you have is high quality. This you can ensure that by considering the material that has been used to make the gloves. Additionally, you could consider other factors such as the price of the gloves and the reputation of the manufacturer to give you an idea on the quality of the gloves. However, be careful not to solely consider the later as this could be traps set by good advertisements for you to fall in.
As stated above, baseball gloves are some of the most important items when playing baseball games. As a youth, they will help protect your hands and prevent injuries that you may incur when playing the game. Use the information above to see some of the considerations that you need to make to help you purchase the best baseball youth gloves that will help you in your games.
Final Verdict
As discussed above, baseball is a fun game but could be risky if you decided to play it without using gloves. For this reason, it is important to ensure that you have a suitable pair of gloves when playing baseball games to help you ensure avoid any misfortunes. Picking the best best youth gloves among the many available in the market today is easier said than done. Luckily, above are reviews of several baseball gloves that you can purchase to help you in the games that you will involve yourself in. The above information will help guide you in the right direction and help you know what exactly you need to consider for when purchasing such gloves. Use it to help you pick the pair of gloves that will not lead you to future regrets and one that will be giving you an amazing experience when taking part in the baseball games.
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