Baseball: How to Buy Baseball Gloves for Physical Education Classes and Varsity Teams

Michelle Gaus, Contributor

Do you need to purchase baseball gloves for your physical education classes or varsity teams? Or has a student or fellow teacher asked you what they should look for when buying a glove? If so, here are a number of factors you should consider.

1. Left or Right-Handed
Know what type of glove you wish to buy. If you throw with your right hand, then you want a right-handed glove. The glove is named by the hand that throws, not the hand that catches the ball.

2. Price Range
Decide on the price range you can ?afford. A higher-priced glove will last longer but is not necessary for a child who will be outgrowing it soon. A good starting range is around $60.

3. Age of User And Glove Size
To determine the correct size of glove, use the following guideline provided by NYO Sports: Don't buy a glove and hope the child will grow into - the glove will be too hard to close if it's too big.

4. Playing Position
Gloves can be specialized by playing position. For example, there are specially made gloves for first base players and catchers which have more padding in the palm to cushion hard throws. But generally, larger gloves are preferred by outfielders and shorter gloves by infielders. Larger gloves give outfielders a longer reach, while shorter gloves allow infielders to get the ball out of the pocket more quickly.

5. Web design
A closed web is often preferred by pitchers, who like to hide the ball in their gloves. A solid web design is good for outfielders because it provides extra support and allows them to block the sun on pop ups. Infielders tend to prefer an open web design because such gloves are lighter and allow dirt to slide out of the pocket.

6. Back Design
The back design is a nice bonus feature. Some players like a closed back design with a finger hole for the index finger. Others prefer an open back - where the back of the hand is visible - as it makes the glove a bit cooler. The back of the glove may also come with a Velcro enclosure that allows you to adjust the tension at the back of the glove.

7. Material Type
A walnut leather glove will take longer to condition but will yield a better quality glove that will last longer. Conversely, a preconditioned glove will break in faster but will not last as long.

8. How to Condition a Glove
To condition a glove, rub leather oil on it then place a proper size ball in the ?webbing. Wrap the glove up with an elastic and leave it over night.

Contributor: Michelle Gaus is a physical educator at Belle River District High School, in Belle River, Ontario. She is a frequent contributor to PE Update.com.

Reference:
1. "How to Buy a Baseball Glove," NYO Sports.com
http://www.nyosports.com/pdf/how_to/baseball/how_to_buy-glove.pdf 2. "How to Choose a Baseball Glove." eHow, 2008.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2047789_select-baseball-glove.html 3. "How to Choose the Best Baseball or Softball Glove for You." Adadema Baseball & Softball Gloves, 2004.
http://www.baseball-softball-gloves.com/howtochgl.html 4. "How to Choose a Baseball Glove for Little Leaguers." eHow, 2008.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2065518_choose-baseball-glove-little-leaguers.html

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