Slow-pitch softball gloves need to be bigger than baseball gloves. Softballs are much larger than baseballs, so the gloves to catch them need to have enough room to handle the ball. Because the ball is so large in slow-pitch softball, it is very hard to catch a ball with the bare hand. This makes the glove especially important in the act of catching.
Baseball Gloves
Baseball players look for specific gloves for specific positions. According to the website baseballgloves, "Pitcher's gloves and infield gloves are generally smaller than an outfielder's glove, and first baseman's gloves and catcher's mitts are unique unto themselves." Baseball requires quick action and supreme accuracy, because the speed of the game is much faster than the speed of slow-pitch softball. Also, a player whose glove is too large could easily lose the ball in his glove when trying to make a quick exchange and throw.
Softball Gloves
Slow-pitch softball gloves leave plenty of room for error. Players do not have to change the specifications for their glove according to the position they are playing. Part of the reasoning is that players will never have a hard time getting the ball out of their glove because it is so big. Also, slow-pitch softball usually is a recreational sport, so players do not need to be on the cutting edge of glove technology when they go to play for enjoyment.
Material
It does not matter what a glove is made out of in either sport. Some gloves are made from pigskin, others from leather, others from composite materials. All that matters is that the glove has been properly broken in and provides the player enough flexibility to squeeze the glove.
Catchers
The one position where the type of glove matters the most is catcher. But because the catcher is responsible for completely different tasks in baseball as compared to slow-pitch softball, the gloves are hugely different. According to the Baseball Glove Buyers' Guide, "Baseball catchers' mitts usually have a thick pad around the circumference of the mitt with thick padding in the finger area and less padding in the palm area." That padding is necessary because pitches come in hard and fast. In slow-pitch softball, the ball is lofted and the catcher can let it bounce. That means any glove will do the job.
Cost
Because baseball gloves are unique to a position, they can cost more, Also, since slow-pitch softball is largely recreational, a player can choose almost any glove. In fact, used gloves work just fine for players who want to play a little bit of slow-pitch softball without spending a whole bunch of cash. Of course, the final choice of a glove in either sport depends on the player and how much he is willing to pay.
Member Comments