Buying a first real glove is a big day for a young player. It is also easy to get wrong, because the wall of gloves at the store all look the same and the sizes jump around. Here is a simple way to pick one and get it game-ready.
Most players ages 7–12 use a glove between about 10 and 12 inches, with infield gloves on the smaller side and outfield gloves a bit bigger. Size charts are only a starting point: pick the glove your child can open, squeeze shut and control, then break it in by playing catch.
Train it: Complete Defender (Level 2 Fielding, $49) → Free: Free Fielding Intro Course →What size glove does my child need?
Glove sizes are listed in inches, and they vary a little by maker. Treat any chart as general guidance, not a rule.
Here is a general range for ages 7–12, based on published manufacturer sizing guides:
| Position | Youth baseball (about ages 7–12) | Youth fastpitch softball |
|---|---|---|
| Infield | About 10.25–11.5 inches | About 10.5–11 inches |
| Outfield | About 11.5–12.25 inches | About 11–11.5 inches |
| First base | About 11.5–12 inches (a first base mitt) | Check your coach and league |
Age matters too. Younger players (7–8) usually do best near the small end, around 10 to 11 inches. Many 11- and 12-year-olds move up toward 11.5 to 12 inches. Catchers use a special padded mitt that is sized differently, so try those on in person.
Most young kids play lots of positions, and that is a good thing. One all-around glove in the middle of the range is plenty until a player settles into a spot on the field.
The fit test: control beats size
The biggest mistake we see is a glove that is too big. Parents buy up so the child can "grow into it." But a glove a child cannot close is just a basket the ball bounces out of.
Do this quick test in the store or at home:
- Snug hand: fingers reach most of the way into the finger slots, and the glove does not slide off when they shake it.
- Squeeze shut: your child can close the glove with one hand, thumb to pinky, without using the other hand.
- Hold it up: they can hold the glove up near their face for 10 seconds without the arm sagging.
- Toss and catch: make five soft underhand tosses. If the ball keeps popping out, the glove is too big or too stiff.
Light weight matters for little arms. A glove they can control lets them be quick, aggressive and athletic, which is exactly how Coach BK wants every young fielder to play.
How to break in a youth glove (the safe way)
The best way to break in a glove is the simplest one: play catch with it. Lots of short catch sessions over a few weeks will shape the pocket to your child's hand.
- Play catch every day: 10 minutes is enough. Use the new glove for practice and catch first, and the old one for games until the new one closes easily.
- Work it by hand: while watching TV, open and close the glove, and gently bend the thumb and pinky toward each other.
- Shape the pocket: put a ball in the pocket and pound it with a fist or a wooden mallet a few dozen times.
- Go easy on oil: if the leather is dry or stiff, rub in a small, thin coat of glove conditioner or oil with a cloth, then let it sit. Too much can make the glove heavy and damage the leather.
- Store it with a ball inside: put a ball in the pocket and keep it in a dry spot inside the house.
Glove break-in mistakes to avoid
There are lots of shortcuts out there. Most of them can ruin a glove you just paid for.
- No oven or microwave: heat can damage the leather beyond repair.
- No leaving it in the car or yard: sun and heat are hard on leather, especially in an Arizona summer.
- No soaking: drenching a glove in water or oil can leave it heavy, greasy or cracked.
- No rushing: a new glove can take a few weeks or more to feel ready. That is normal.
If your child is frustrated with a stiff glove, play catch from a few steps closer with a softer ball. Success first, then distance.
A 10-minute catch game to break it in
As Coach BK tells every player, "It's a great day to hit!!" It is also a great day to play catch. Turn break-in time into a game the whole family can play.
- Two-hand catches (3 minutes): stand a few steps apart. Soft tosses to the chest. Glove hand catches, throwing hand covers.
- Squeeze and show (3 minutes): after every catch, your child squeezes, holds for a one-count and shows you the ball in the glove.
- Around the clock (4 minutes): toss high, low, left and right. One point for every clean catch. First to 15 wins.
Want more fielding games? The free Fielding Intro Course has seven short parent-led lessons. When your child is ready for the next step, Complete Defender ($49) is our 16-session Level 2 fielding program for ages 7–12.
One thing to remember
The right glove is the one your child can squeeze shut and control, not the biggest one on the wall.
What to do this week
Do the fit test with your child's glove tonight. Then play the 10-minute catch game on three different days and watch for clean, squeezed catches.
Parent questions
Should I buy a bigger glove so my child can grow into it?
We don't recommend it. A glove that is too big is hard to close and control, so the ball pops out. Buy the size that fits now and move up when they outgrow it.
How long does it take to break in a youth glove?
It depends on the leather, but plan on a few weeks of regular catch, and sometimes longer. Short daily catch sessions work better than any shortcut.
Do softball players need a different glove?
Often, yes. Sizing guides list fastpitch softball gloves separately from baseball gloves, so look for one made for fastpitch and do the same fit test.
SEE COMPLETE DEFENDER (LEVEL 2 FIELDING, $49) →
Sources: Manufacturer glove sizing chart (youth baseball and fastpitch, by position) · Glove size guide by age and position · Breaking in a glove: heat, car and over-oiling warnings · How to break in a baseball or softball glove