Glove Size Guide
Baseball
Glove Sizing By Position
Glove size is measured in inches from the top of the index finger to the heel of the glove. Size is driven mostly by position — infield stays short for a fast transfer, outfield stretches out for reach and a deeper pocket.
| Position | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2B / SS (Middle Infield) | 11.25"–11.75" | Shallowest pocket on the field — built for the fastest possible transfer |
| 3B ("Hot Corner") | 11.5"–12.25" | Slightly deeper pocket and more web support for hard, close-range shots |
| Outfield | 12"–12.75" | Longest infield-adjacent glove — extra reach and a deeper pocket Most Common |
| Pitcher | 11.75"–12.5" | Closed web required by most leagues to hide grip from the batter |
| First Base (Mitt) | 12"–13" | Mitt, not a glove — no individual fingers, scoop-style pocket |
| Catcher (Mitt) | 32.5"–34.5" (circumference) | Measured around the mitt, not tip-to-heel like other positions |
Softball
Glove Sizing By Position
Softball gloves run larger than baseball at every position to match the bigger ball. Slowpitch outfield gloves are the largest gloves in either sport.
| Position | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2B / SS (Middle Infield) | 11.5"–11.75" | Shallow pocket, same fast-transfer priority as baseball |
| 3B ("Hot Corner") | 11.75"–12.25" | A bit deeper than middle infield for harder-hit balls |
| Outfield (Fastpitch) | 12.5"–13" | Standard fastpitch outfield length Most Common |
| Outfield (Slowpitch) | 13.5"–15" | Largest gloves in either sport — built for a bigger ball and a slower game |
| Pitcher | 12"–12.5" | Closed web required by most leagues to hide grip from the batter |
| First Base (Mitt) | 12.5"–13" | Mitt, not a glove — no individual fingers, scoop-style pocket |
| Catcher (Mitt) | 33"–34.5" (circumference) | Measured around the mitt, not tip-to-heel like other positions |
Baseball vs. Softball Gloves Are Not InterchangeableSoftball gloves run larger at the same position because a softball is bigger than a baseball. Putting a softball player in a baseball glove usually means a pocket that's too shallow to field the ball cleanly — always buy for the sport being played, not just the position.
BTL TipWhen in doubt between two sizes: infielders should size down, outfielders should size up. Bring your glove hand in and try both — you should be able to close the glove one-handed without straining.
How Glove Size Is Measured
| Step | What To Do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lay the glove flat with the fingers together and the web closed |
| 2 | Measure from the top edge of the index finger straight down to the heel of the glove |
| 3 | Round to the nearest half inch — that's the size printed on the glove (e.g. "11.75") |
BTL TipCatcher's mitts are the one exception — they're sized by circumference (measured around the outside of the mitt), not by length, since the mitt shape doesn't have individual fingers to measure to.