Baseball gloves have been around since Charles C. Waite wore the first documented glove in 1875. Back then the gloves were smaller than today's batting gloves and offered very little protection. Ball gloves have since undergone many transformations as ballplayers have opted for more size and padding. Fielders' gloves now measure as long as 12.75 inches while catchers' mitts measure as much as 34.5 inches in circumference. Measuring a glove is a three-step process that requires only a flexible measuring tape.
The Fielders' Glove
Step 1
Wear the glove on your non-throwing hand while you hold the measuring tape in your other hand. Place the beginning of the tape at the highest point of the glove. This should be the area that your index finger is in line with. Hold the tape there using a finger or piece of adhesive tape.
Step 2
Slowly bring the measuring tape down into the "pocket" of the glove, which is the deepest part of the glove typically resting at the base of your index finger near the palm. Make sure there are no gaps between the measuring tape and the surface of the glove.
Step 3
Continue laying the measuring tape down to the heel of the glove, running it all the way to the end where the laces meet to form the outside of the glove and the inner padding for your hand. Mark the measuring tape at that spot and record the total length of the glove in inches.
Tips and Warnings
- Have a partner help you. The addition of another pair of hands to keep the measuring tape from slipping off of the surface of the glove is invaluable. When choosing a glove, make sure you choose one that matches your position in the field. Infielders typically wear smaller gloves so that they can pull the ball out of the glove as quickly as possible. Outfielders and pitchers typically wear larger gloves for different reasons-outfielders wear larger gloves because they allow for greater reach, while pitchers wear larger gloves to hide their grip before each pitch. New gloves can be stiff and difficult to control, and may take a few weeks of fielding ground balls to fully break them in. To help expedite the break-in process, purchase some inexpensive shaving cream and lather the glove once a day for three to four days to soften the material.
- Another important factor in choosing a glove is making sure it fits comfortably. A glove that fits too loose will fall off if you attempt to catch a line drive or a hard-hit ball. A glove that fits too tight will be uncomfortable and difficult to maneuver.
Things You'll Need
- Flexible measuring tape
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