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.