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“For Serious Baseball Players & Softball Players”
The right baseball glove or the right softball glove is your tool for good fielding. Use this guide to help pick the right glove, and you will be a better player.
 
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Choosing An Akadema Professional Baseball Glove

 

Consider the Materials

Baseball players or softball players can choose from synthetic, leather and treated leather. Baseball gloves and softball gloves come in a variety of materials, with the difference being in the feel and durability.

Synthetic materials (Good)

  • A lighter less durable material, plastic and synthetics
  • Less expensive, good for youngsters
  • Will not withstand the wear and tear of playing ball nearly as well as leather

Leather (Better)

  • Material of choice for gloves
  • Leather offers the best comfort, control and feel
  • The better the leather, the better the glove

Treated Leather (Best)

  • Leather is treated and softened for faster break-in and increased durability
  • Treated leather also reduces the care needed for the glove and helps the glove keep it's shape

Remember, your Akadema Professional Baseball Glove is a tool for good fielding. Break it in properly and fit it to your hand. Condition your glove with Akadema conditioner regularly and replace loose and broken lacing when needed.

Consider the Glove Construction

Determine the pocket, back and wrist adjustments that best suit your game and abilities.

Pocket

  • The size of the pocket depends on your position
  • Shallow Pockets - help infielders quickly grab the ball and throw
  • Deeper Pockets - help outfielders catch fly balls
  • Softball players also need a bigger pocket to catch the bigger ball

Backs

  • There are two choices of backs - Open and Closed
  • The type of back is a matter of personal preference, but some styles fit positions better
  • Open Back - leaves a space open across the glove's back
  • Outfielders prefer a closed back with a “finger hole” for extra support

Wrist Adjustment

  • Gloves come with an adjustment to keep it snug. Not all gloves have these “Fit Systems”
  • Velcro Fastener - offers convenience of pulling and adjusting to fit - very easy
  • D-Ring Fastener - allows you to pull on the lacing to make the glove tighter

Choosing Your Fit

Consider the age, game and position

Youngsters / Beginners

  • Youth models are smaller to help kids maintain control
  • Avoid the urge to buy a bigger glove that you'll grow into
  • Kids under the age of 8 should stick with a glove from 9 - 11 inches
  • Kids from 8 to early teens - consider an 11 inch glove
  • Beginners also benefit from the added control that they get from smaller gloves

High School / Adult

  • Outfielders need 12 - 12½ inch gloves with deeper pockets
  • Infielders need smaller gloves (10½ - 11½ inch) with shallower pockets for better control and quicker ball transfer
  • Pitchers can go with a slightly larger than infielders but still need a small enough glove for fielding and throwing quickly

Softball

  • Players require gloves that are slightly longer in length and deeper in the pocket to help field the bigger ball

Glove Size Guidelines

Age Position Glove Size
Under 8 Infield 9”
Under 8 Outfield 11”
9 - 13 Infield 9” - 10”
9 - 13 Outfield 11” - 12”
High School / Adult Infield 10½” - 11½”
High School / Adult Outfield 12” - 12½”
Softball Infield / Outfield 12” - 14”

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