6 Best Youth Softball Gloves in 2021

Softball is a modified form of baseball. The bat and ball game is played between two teams of 10 players. Softball and baseball are considered to be twin sisters though there are certain differences between the two; the pitches in softball are thrown underhand, unlike in baseball, where pitches are thrown overhand. And also, the bat used in softball is larger and harder than that used in baseball.

Like any other sport, softball has its equipment that is used to play the ball. These include; the helmet, the chest protector, softball uniform, the ball, the bat, the gloves, and the shin guards.

The ball, bat, uniform, and gloves are those we used to play the ball while the other equipment is the main equipment misused to protect the player. Let’s take a look at the equipment used in playing softball.

The Bat

The bat is used by the batsmen to hit the ball and score runs. Bats are made from wood, metal or aluminum, and it has a shape similar to that of a cylinder. The average length of a bat is 86cm with a diameter of about 5 to 6 inches and a weight of about 1.2 kilograms.

The Ball

From the name of the sport, we know that a ball has to be involved. However, the ball used in playing the game is not a softball. It’s even harder than that of baseball. The game is called softball because it is mainly played by women.

The Uniform

Like most games, uniforms are provided in baseball to increase the bond between players. In softball, the uniform includes; shirt, pants, shoes, caps, visors, and helmets. While male players must wear caps and headbands, it is optional for female players.

The Gloves

The gloves are our topic of discussion in this article. The gloves come in different sizes available for players at different positions in the field. However, according to the American Softball Association, the size of a softball glove can’t exceed 36cm.

Buying a softball glove can be daunting as there are many types available in both the online and offline markets. To make sure you get the right glove you deserve, we have written this to guide you in choosing and cleaning your glove.

How to Choose a Softball Glove

When choosing a softball glove, there are certain things you’ve to consider, these are:

1. Understand the anatomy of the glove

Understanding the anatomy of a glove is very important. Every part of a softball glove has its purpose. Therefore, by understanding the different parts of a softball glove, you can be able to meet your needs in the field. Let’s take a look at the main parts of a softball glove.

• The Web design

The web design of your glove will depend on your position in the field. Mainly, there are two types of web design, open and closed webbing. Pitchers mainly prefer closed web design, while fielders mostly used open web design.

• Back

The back is the space provided for your index finger. Just like the webbing, it comes in two designs, the open and then closed. While the open backs feature a larger space for flexibility, the closed style features a smaller space for added stability.

• the pockets

the pockets connect the fingers and the thumb when controlling a ball in impact. Mostly, outfielders prefer a deep pocket, while infielders prefer a shallow pocket.

• Palm

The Palm of a glove has padding underneath the leather and protects impacts.

• Finger stalls

The openings for your fingers in a glove are called the finger stalls.

• Heel

The lower part of your glove that protects your hands is called the heel.

• Wrist adjustment

The wrist adjustment allows optimal fit. They come in different designs, which include the hook and loop fasteners, the lace adjustments, and the D-ring fasteners.

Material

A glove’s material can affect its durability and how comfortable a player feels when playing with it. Gloves are made from Kip leather, Synthetic, Cowhide, and full-grain hide leather.

Kip leather gloves

Kip leather gloves are lightweight and popular among youth players because they allow motion and mobility.

Synthetic gloves

They are also popular among youth players. They are lightweight and are easy to close.

Cowhide gloves

The weight of these gloves ranges from medium to heavy. They break in faster and are popular among young players.

Full grain hide leather gloves

These are standard pro series gloves. They offer more excellent performance and durability but require more of a break-in process.

When choosing the material of a glove, go for the one that suits your role, and offer excellent performance.

Type of Web

Another important factor to consider when buying a softball glove is the type of web. While webbing designs are generally classified into closed and open designs, there are varieties of types under these classifications.

Common types of web designs used by infielders include; the cross, the basket, the trapeze, the H-web, the I-web, the modified trap, and the two-piece.

The first basemen usually use the dual bar, the single post, or the modified H-web. On the other hand, the catchers prefer the half-moon type or the one piece.

The type of pitch player you are

The type of pitcher you are is also a factor to consider when buying a glove. Slowpitchplayers (catchers and pitchers) usually prefer a large glove that will accommodate the size of the ball. While fast pitchers usually prefer a smaller glove.

The above-mentioned factors are the main things you ought to consider when choosing a softball glove. After choosing a durable glove that suits your position in the game, the next thing to do is take good care of the glove to make sure it looks clean and lasts long. Below, we shall discuss how you can take care of your gloves.

Softball Glove Care Guide

Here we shall take a look at how you are expected to take care of your gloves, why you need to keep them clean, and where to store them during the offseason.

Gloves are important parts of the softball game, and they have a lot to do with determining who will become a great player. It isn’t just about buying the gloves, using them on the field, and dumping them till the next match. You need to take care of your glove, make sure it’s always clean, keep it at the right player to make sure it extends more than just one season.

Why do I have To Clean My Softball Gloves

You might be wondering if it’s necessary to clean your gloves at all. After all, it is not just to play with them and drop them. Well, your gloves need some care.

Taking proper care of your softball gloves ensures that the gloves last longer more than just a year. Though gloves are mostly made from tough leather materials, they easily deteriorate if they aren’t maintained properly.

Going through a complete one season without caring for your glove will cause the glove to damage and, in turn, make you start breaking into your glove all over again.

How to Clean Softball Gloves

As said earlier, taking proper care of softball gloves is essential to every player; it makes them last longer and prevents them from stinking. Below, we shall look at some easy steps you can follow to make sure your gloves stay clean.

Always Remove excess dirt after playing

After each game, don’t just put your gloves inside your bag; make sure you hit the two gloves against each other to remove dirt particles that have stick to them when you are playing.

However, hitting the two gloves against each other might remove all dirt specks. Use a dry leather cleaning brush and gently scrub each glove to remove the dirt remnants. Make sure you brush gently to avoid damaging the surface layer of the glove.

Removing excess dirt after each game makes your glove look cleaner and makes it more durable.

Wash the Gloves with Soap and Water

Once in a while, you’ve to wash your glove thoroughly with soap and water. Make a solution of liquid soap with warm water in a container. Grab a soft clean cloth, dip it inside the solution, and then used it to clean your glove wholly, making sure you’ve removed all dirt.

Soak up all the moisture on the glove using a dry piece of cotton cloth. Turn the gloves inside out and clean the inside thoroughly with the remaining soap solution. Take care not to oversoak it with water. Again, use a dry cloth to soak up moisture.

Wipe Your Gloves

When you’re done cleaning, the next thing to do is to wipe the gloves clean. Keep wiping them gently till they look clean. However, you must be careful not to douse the leather of your glove with too much water.

Dry the Gloves at Room Temperature

After wiping your gloves clean, the last step is to dry them. Hang them up in a clean area at room temperature, away from sunlight. Allow them to dey thoroughly them apply some leather cleaner on them and store in a dry place.

Is it Safe to Clean Gloves With Washing Machine

This question is what will to the mind of many players when they heard about washing gloves. It isn’t advisable to wash softball gloves in a washing machine as most of these gloves are made from synthetic and leather materials. The leather can easily get damaged when it is washed in a machine.

However, some brands make their gloves from natural fibers; if you are lucky to buy from such brands, you can enjoy washing your gloves in a washing machine. But if you aren’t sure whether your glove is made from natural or synthetic leather, it is not encouraging to wash it using a washing machine. Just choose a day that you’re a bit free and enjoy washing your gloves with your hand.

How to Properly Store Your Gloves

Most softball players don’t know how to store their gloves properly. Most players just throw their gloves into the garage, a closet or keep them in the bat bag. After cleaning gloves, the next step to ensure that your gloves are ready for the next spring rolls is by keeping them in the right place. To keep you on the right side, we’ve compiled some tips on how to carefully and properly store your gloves.

During the winter months, keep your gloves in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Take care not to leave it inside your bag for a long time. Also, don’t keep it outside or near a heater as it will be exposed to damage.

If your gloves get wet when you’re playing, use a clean cotton cloth to soak off all the moisture, then allow it to dry at its room tempered. If the leather becomes stiff, you can take care of that with a conditioner.

If you noticed that the leather of your glove has become stiff, gently apply some conditioner to it when it is dry. This will help remove the stiffness of the leather.

To keep the pocket of your gloves in shape, keep a ball rolled in the glove duríng the off months.

With the above guide, I’m pretty sure you will be able to keep your glove in good condition during the season and offseason. Make sure you always clean them with a solution of soap and water and dry it at room temperature. This will make sure your glove is kept in good shape, increasing its lifespan.

As a youth softball player, you might find it hard to choose the right glove as there are thousands of brands out there advertising their gloves. To make everything easy for you, we have decided to review the ten best softball gloves for youths. Please grab a cup of tea as you go through the list.