Rec & Youth Ball
Youth Glove Sizing By Position
Youth gloves start at 10" and scale up from there by position, the same logic as adult sizing — infield stays short for a fast transfer, outfield stretches out for reach and a deeper pocket.
| Position | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Infield | 10"–12" | Most versatile youth size Most Common |
| Outfield | 12.25"–12.75" | Extra length for reach and a deeper pocket once a player settles into the outfield |
| First Base (Mitt) | 12"–13" | Scoop-style mitt, no individual fingers |
| Catcher (Mitt) | 31"–33" (circumference) | Measured around the mitt, not tip-to-heel like other positions |
Younger Than 10?Recommend an infield glove no matter which position they're playing most. Outfield gloves run too big to control at that age, and an infield glove is versatile enough to cover every spot on the field, including pitching.
Transitioning to Adult Sizing (Ages 12–14)
Anywhere from 12–14 is when most players start specializing by position and outgrow the youth range above. Here's roughly where that transition lands by position — usually the lower end of the full adult range.
| Position | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2B / SS (Middle Infield) | 11"–11.5" | Low end of the adult infield range |
| 3B ("Hot Corner") | 11.5"–11.75" | A touch bigger than middle infield, same as adult sizing |
| Outfield | 12"–12.5" | Below full adult length until reach and arm strength catch up Most Common |
| Pitcher | 11.5"–12" | Closed web still required in most leagues at this age |
| First Base (Mitt) | 12"–13" | Below full adult mitt size |
| Catcher (Mitt) | 31.5"–33" (circumference) | Between youth and full adult mitt sizing |
Bigger Is Not BetterUnlike a lot of gear, going oversized on a glove actually hurts. A glove that's too big is harder to close, harder to control, and slows down transfers regardless of position. If a player is between two sizes, size down — a snug glove they can actually close beats a big glove they can't.
BTL TipA brand new glove is stiff out of the box. Budget time to break it in — playing catch and a ball wrapped in the pocket overnight both help — before game day so the pocket isn't fighting your player. Hold off on glove oil for now; that's a 6-12 month-down-the-road step once the leather's had time to break in on its own, not a day-one move.