Top Rated Baseball Gloves for Kids 2018

Top Rated Baseball Gloves for Kids

Baseball is a great sport, an all American sport and a relatively safe sport provided you have the proper equipment. That is one reason we wanted to rate the best baseball gloves for kids.

Baseball has been around since 1839 when it was invented by Abner Doubleday and grew to the most popular sport in the United States until it was supplanted by Football. In recent years, football has been on somewhat of a decline for various reasons. Not the least of which is the dangers involved in playing football. Baseball is substantially safer than football and I think the argument could be made in the near future that youth baseball will continue to see an increased number of kids playing baseball instead of football. This will probably result in an overall increase in popularity for major league baseball. I am not predicting it will surpass football in the near future, but you never know.

Most of us can remember when we were little and playing baseball for the first time. Nothing was more exciting that getting that first baseball glove. Back then we really did not have a way to look for the best youth baseball gloves. We just went to the local sporting goods store and tried to figure out which was the best baseball glove for kids. We really did not have the advantage knowing how others rated a baseball glove or a review site that rated kid’s baseball gloves for us.

Finding the best youth baseball glove is critical to success of a young baseball player (or an old one for that matter). The internet has really changed the way we purchase items because we have the advantage of being able to see what others who purchased the same product think about the product. We even have the advantage of various review sites to help us make our choices. Back in the day, you could purchase a Consumer Reports magazine and you might be able to find the Consumer Reports Youth Baseball Review if you were lucky and they had actually reviewed kids baseball gloves that year.

What to look for in a baseball glove for kids?

Probably the first thing is size, the glove must fit your child.

Baseball gloves are measured from the bill of the glove to the top of the glove. Baseball gloves usually range from between 8 inches to 15 inches. A t-ball player might need a glove between 8 to 9 ½ inches. Remember that a new glove needs to be ‘worked in’ to make it flexible. Most of the time a child will have trouble closing a new baseball glove. Even those that say they are ‘pre-softened’ will need some work. It takes some time to make a glove flexible, so keep working at it.

Be sure to buy the right size glove. Do not buy one and say, he will grow into it. If a kids baseball glove is too big it will negatively affect their ability learn the game and properly perform.

Just as a reference, here are some sizing suggestions.

Under 7 you are probably looking at between 8” and 10.5”

Between 8 to 10 you might be at 10.5” to 11.25”

Between 11 and 13 typically you would look at 11” to 11.5”

Over 14 you might be at 11.25” to 11.5”

You should take into consideration your child. Are their hands bigger or smaller than other kids their age?

If they are smaller, then the best youth baseball gloves for them would be smaller. If their hands run larger then the best youth baseball gloves for them would be larger.

Obviously if your child is right handed buy a right handed glove. If they are left handed buy a left handed glove. I know that sounds like a crazy thing to say but sometimes we do not pay attention to those things and purchase the wrong glove due to lack of attention.

The final thing to consider is does your child need a special glove for their position. In youth baseball you would normally choose between a standard glove, a catcher’s glove or a first baseman’s glove. As your child continues to play there are other differences in say an infielder’s glove and an outfielder’s glove. At first, I would not worry about those differences. Mainly the difference between the infielder’s glove and the outfielder’s glove comes down to the pocket size.

Having an wrist adjustment is a plus and I always like having at least one finger loop inside the glove. Usually that would be a thumb loop. In a t-ball glove that is probably not a huge thing to look for but in a youth baseball glove it might be important. I found I had more control of the glove with the thumb loop.

There are also some different webbing options but for initial kids baseball gloves I would not worry to much about that.

Wilson Pro Soft Yak Baseball Glove

• Six finger trap style web pitchers glove
• Constructed of Yak leather which is 3X stronger than cowhide, allowing it to be skived thinner, producing a lighter glove
• Double Palm Construction is used to provide maximum pocket stability by placing a piece of leather between the palm liner and outer shell
• Pro Stock patters are hand designed and improved every year by Aso-San and the Wilson Advisory Staff
• Low profile heel makes the glove more flexible, opens up the palm and pocket and makes the glove more forgiving on bad-hop grounders

This is a great youth baseball glove. We rated it at 8 out of 10.

The Wilson Pro Soft Yak is light, soft and mea to paly with unstoppable strength. Developed with Yak leather, this glove is 3X stronger than traditional cowhide leather. Wilson Pro Soft Yak was designed to give you a quicker break-in and a daft game-ready feel right off the shelf.

Mizuno GPP1150Y1 Youth Prospect Ball Glove

• Patented PowerClose makes catching easy
• Power lock closure for maximum fit and performance
• Helps youth players learn to catch the right way, in the pocket
• Heel Flex Technology – increases flexibility and closure to make catching easier.
• V-Flex Notch – Helps initiate easy closure for more catches and less drops.
• PowerLock – Provides the quickest and most secure fit available.

 

The one we rated was the left hand model. However, if you click the link above you can purchase the right hand glove. This is another great kids baseball glove. We rated it at 9 out 10.

The Mizuno Prospect glove is made to help younger players fall in love with the game. Packed with innovative features, including Mizuno’s exclusive PowerClose technology and Parashock Palm Pad, to make catching easy and fun, while also helping teach young players how to catch right way–in the pocket. Backed by over 100 years of Mizuno glove craftsmanship and expertise, it’s the perfect first glove for future Hall of Famers!

Rawlings Select Pro Lite Youth Series Baseball Glove

• 11-1/2-inch all-leather youth baseball glove styled after the one used by Manny Machado (2-time Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner)
• Youth Pro Taper Fit pattern offers a smaller hand opening for greater control
• Pro V web with all-leather lacing ideal for 2nd and 3rd basemen and shortstops
• Palm and index finger padding with cushioned fingerback lining
• Game ready; comes 90% broken-in from the factory

There are a lot of options and looks available for this glove. Click above and then choose the one you like best. We rated this glove at a 9 out of 10.

The new Prodigy Series lineup of gloves, available at a popular price point, offers a terrific blend of pro design features, all-leather shell construction and Prodigy Youth Pro Taper patterns to provide unmatched value.

Designed with smaller hand openings and lowered finger stalls, the Prodigy Youth Pro Taper Fit gloves provide the perfect solution for the transitioning athlete looking for a pro-style model that fits their growing hand size. Each glove’s soft full-grain leather shell breaks in quickly and easily while still maintaining it’s quality and shape. – 11 Inch Youth Model – Basket Web – Youth Pro Taper Fit – Conventional Open Back – All Leather Shell Construction – Palm and Index Finger Pads – 3D Foam Lining – Break-in: 80% Factory / 20% Player

• Made of the highest qualitiy materials
• Baseball gloves & mitts
• Another quality Rawlings product
• Right Hand Throw = Left Hand Glove, Left Hand Throw = Right Hand Glove

This is the ‘upgraded’ version of the Rawlings Select Pro. In our best youth baseball gloves rating we gave it the same rating of 9 out of 10.

This new series offers an exciting collection of popular pro player designs to give aspiring big leaguers the same glove styling and features of their favorite stars such as Kris Bryant and Manny Machado. All the models in this collection offer Rawlings Youth Pro Taper Fit, which incorporates a smaller hand opening and lowered finger stalls.

This is a perfect solution for the transitioning athlete looking for a pro style model that fits their growing hand size. – 11.25 Inch Model – Josh Donaldson Design Model – Pro I Web with Conventional Back – Lightweight and soft leather shell for durability, shape retention, and easy break-in – Durable all leather lacing to maintain a well formed pocket – Palm and index finger padding for shock resistance – Cushioned fingerback lining for a comfortable hand feel – Pro features to maximize performance

Rawlings Mark of a Pro Light Youth Baseball Glove

• 10.5 inch youth model

• Basket Web
• Break-in: 90% Factory / 10% Player
• Neo-Flex back
• Custom fit, micro-injection Velcro strap

This is one of the best gloves we looked at. Rawlings makes some great leather gloves, just remember you have to break them in. In our best kids baseball gloves we rated this one at 10 out of 10.

Every serious ball player needs a glove that’s lightweight for ultimate fielding ability. Gloves from the Mark of a Pro Light series boast an all-leather, lightweight shell with Neo-Flex back. Palm and index finger padding provides an extra layer of protection in the key impact areas and a full leather palm design aids in pocket shape retention.

Each glove in the Mark of a Pro Light series also features a a micro-injection Velcro strap closure providing a quick close and snug, secure fit. – 10.5 inch youth model – Basket Web – Break-in: 90% Factory / 10% Player – Full leather palm – Neo-Flex back – Custom fit, micro-injection Velcro strap

Mizuno GPL1100Y1 Youth Prospect Ball Glove  

• Patent pending heel flex technology increases flexibility and closure
• Patented PowerClose makes catching easy
• Power lock closure for maximum fit and performance
• Helps youth players learn to catch the right way, in the pocket

This one is a left hand glove and rated very well during our review of the best youth baseball gloves. We rated it a 9 out of 10.

Patent pending heel flex technology increases flexibility and closure. Patented PowerClose makes catching easy. Power lock closure for maximum fit and performance. Helps youth players learn to catch the right way, in the pocket.

Easton Stars & Stripes Collection Camouflage Youth Baseball Glove

• Utility Pattern: 11 1/2 inch (11.5″), Color: Camo
• Hog Hide pigskin leather is lightweight, durable and extremely flexible
• 3 piece Z-FLEX palm for easy closing and perforated grip palm for better control
• Closed traditional solid woven basket web, conventional open back and lock down adjustable wrist strap for a perfect fit
• Right Hand Throw = Left Hand Glove, Left Hand Throw = Right Hand Glove

Great glove if you are looking for something a little different. As a kids baseball glove we rated it at 8 out of 10.

Part of the Easton Stars & Stripes Collection, this baseball glove in Camo color is the perfect choice for a younger travel ball player who is looking to make an impact. Crafted from hog hide pigskin leather that is lightweight, durable and extremely flexible. Easton’s Youth gloves are ready to go from the first pitch to the last. HOG HIDE™ pigskin leather in the palm makes these gloves ideal for young players – lightweight, durable and extremely flexible. Easton’s 3-piece Z-FLEX™ palm is designed for easy closing, and the perforated grip palm lining provides better control. The infield/pitcher pattern has a traditional solid woven web that’s ideal for pitchers, middle infielders and third basemen.

AJP96 glove 10.5″ Pattern, T-web, Open Back, Medium Pocket. Great Starter Glove

• Top ranked Baseball glove
• Rookie leather
• Easy break in
• Right Hand Throw = Left Hand Glove, Left Hand Throw = Right Hand Glove

This is a starter glove. Easy to break in and designed for to be a child’s first baseball glove. As a starter glove we rated it at 10 out of 10.

The Rookie Series was created for younger players who are serious about Baseball and want to play like their favorite stars. Akadema uses full grain soft leather in the construction for easy break-in and comfort. Recommended for ages 6-9.

 

Akadema ARA93 Rookie Series Glove

• 11- Inch Reptilian pattern
• B-hive web
• Open back w/ Clasp Grasp wrist system
• Medium pocket
• Right or left hand throw

As the name suggests this is another good starter glove. You can choose between right or left hand when you order. Don’t for get to do that. As kids baseball glove we rated this one at a 7 out of 10.

11-Inch pattern, Reptilian Design, B-hive web, serious high level youth glove was designed with the Akadema Grasp Clasp Wrist System. The Grasp Clasp locks the player’s hand in the glove to ensure proper catching mechanics. The AOZ uses the same select U.S. Steerhide leather pocket and web as the Akadema Professional Series for increased durability and quality. Right or Left hand throw.

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Would you like to know a little more about kids baseball gloves? we decided to put this at the end so you could get to our ratings faster, but we did have more to say. Just did not want to force our words on you.

We mentioned above that baseball was invented in 1839. When baseball was originally played the players did not use baseball gloves. Guess people had harder hands back then. Actually, in retrospect that is probably a true statement. I know I am not as tough as my Grandfather for instance. Nothing was easy back in the day when people had to walk up hill in the snow both ways to school.

As gloves began to appear in the sport they were more for just stopping the ball on the ground as opposed to actually trying to catch it. There was no top rated baseball glove back then. Well, I guess there probably was but not in the sense of how we would look at it. I guess there is always something that is better than other options.

According to Wikipedia, the first baseball player to use a baseball glove was a guy named Doug Allison, sounds more like a race car driver to me. Anyway, he played for the Cincinnati Red Stockings and used a glove because of an injured left hand.

Interestingly Wikipedia also says that the first glove was used by Charlie Waitt a St. Louis outfielder and first baseman. I love it when history contradicts itself, one of the great things about Wikipedia.

Over time, the use of gloves caught on. I bet the first guys to use a glove had it hard, I mean they were probably called ‘soft hands’ or something like that since they were using protection that most of the other players felt they did not need.

Later a man named Albert Spalding, a first baseman starting using a glove and it began to catch on faster. Mr. Spalding even formed Spalding Sporting goods company which still manufactures baseball gloves. Now, I feel bad that none of the Spalding gloves made our Top Rated Baseball Gloves for Kids list. We may have to go back and look at that. If we can find a good Spalding glove we might just give them their very own review as a homage to first baseman Albert Spalding and infielders everywhere.

However, we did have a lot of Rawlings gloves in our kids baseball gloves ratings. Rawlings can attribute their success to a pitcher named Bill Doak in the 1920’s. He designed and patented the precursor to the modern baseball glove. He sold his design to Rawlings.

An interesting fact is that for a long time it was normal for fielders to leave their gloves on the field when they went to bat. This was prohibited in 1954 by major league baseball.

Over the years baseball gloves have gotten bigger and bigger. When baseball was invented you were supposed to catch the ball using two hands. However because of the larger gloves and the webbing it has become easier to catch the ball using just one hand. You use your off hand to make sure the ball does not come out of the glove. At least that is how youth baseball players are trained. I rarely see professional baseball players do that. Guess that is why they are professionals.

There are official rules now that govern the shape and size of a baseball glove. I guess that is to keep someone from having a three foot glove and just swiping everything out of the air. You could probably put some sort of sticky substance on it and just raise it in the air. Would almost be like blocking a shot in volleyball. I guess we should be thankful that baseball realized that if they allowed the modern glove to continue to grow they would hurt the sport. I bet the inventor and original baseball players would already argue that using a glove was the first thing that changed what baseball was supposed to be. Then letting them get as big as they are now is the second thing that changed the original way baseball was supposed to be. Don’t even get me started on aluminum bats!

Anyway, all of this lead to the internet (not really) and our article on the best baseball gloves for kids. We hope you enjoyed our little story.

Please leave reviews and comments, lets us know real, live people actually read this!