What Is the Difference Between a Softball & Baseball Glove?

Baseball and softball are very similar sports, but players of each game ideally use fielder's gloves especially designed for their sport. Because a softball is larger than a baseball, softball gloves are generally longer and have a larger pocket to accommodate the larger ball. You can use either glove in either sport but performance will be better, theoretically, if you use the correct glove.

Pocket Size

A baseball is 9 to 9 1/2 inches in circumference while a softball is 11 to 12 inches in circumference. The pocket area of a regulation softball glove is sized to accommodate the 3 inches of additional circumference of the softball. If you use a baseball glove while playing softball, the glove pocket will be too small for the ball and you'll risk dropping key catches. If you use a softball glove while playing baseball, you'll also risk dropping clutch balls because the pocket is too big. This pocket size difference extends to all gloves used by the various positions. A catcher's mitt in softball, for example, is larger than a catcher's mitt in baseball.

Length

Softball gloves tend to be longer than baseball gloves. Softball gloves range from 10 inches long to 14 inches long, depending on the playing position. Baseball gloves start at the 10 inch length for youth models, and extend to a maximum of 12 inches in length for baseball outfielder gloves. If you're used to playing baseball with a standard 11 inch baseball glove, you'll be able to feel the definite difference if you switch to a long 14 inch softball glove.

Finger Fit Importance

Both baseball and softball gloves need to be fit correctly to the player. Players, especially young players, need to try on gloves to find the best fit in terms of length of the finger pockets. The glove should not be so big or long that the fingers are "lost" in the pockets. Players need to be able to manipulate the glove with their fingers so they can close the glove and capture the ball. If the glove is too big for the fingers, the player won't be able to close the pocket securely. Players need to move down in glove size until they can open and close the pocket easily.

Design

Baseball and softball gloves share the same basic glove features, including a webbed finger pocket, a padded palm pocket, and individual pockets for the fingers. Catcher's mitts don't feature individual pockets for the fingers or a webbed finger pocket. Mitts are usually rounder than other field position gloves.

Materials

Most quality baseball and softball gloves are made from leather which is the preferred material since it "breaks in" nicely over time and with care remains supple. A glove that is too stiff, that won't open or close easily with finger motion, won't perform as well as a soft glove that is responsive to finger movements. Both types of gloves need to be oiled regularly and kept clean and dry.

Switching Has Advantages

Some youth baseball coaches have found advantages to equipping young players with the larger softball gloves, according to the American Sports Education Program and its book "Coaching Youth Baseball." Young players can be helped in their fielding by going with the larger softball pocket. Baseball players, especially first basemen, can find the longer 14 inch softball glove to be an advantage too.

References

• "Coaching Youth Baseball"; American Sport Education Program; 1996
• "Coaching Youth Softball"; American Sport Education Program; 1996
• Dicks Sporting Goods: How to Buy a Baseball Glove