Softball Gloves Vs. Baseball Gloves

History

• When baseball was first played in the mid 1870's, gloves were not worn. As the game evolved, players began to wear gloves that didn't cover the fingers. According to baseballgloves.com, gloves that more closely resemble those used today--with fingers and a pocket--began to be used in the 1910's and 1920's. Softball gloves closely resemble baseball gloves and today it is often difficult to tell the difference between a baseball and softball glove.
  
  

Features

• Baseball and softball gloves are remarkably similar in their construction. Baseball and softball gloves both are normally made of leather and have a pocket between the thumb and forefinger, though in softball gloves the pocket is sometimes slightly larger.
  
  

Types

• Several types of gloves are worn on the baseball and softball diamond. Outfielder's gloves are larger than infielder's gloves to allow defensive players to easily catch pop flies and line drives. First basemen wear mitts which resemble an infielder's glove, but they don't have four independent fingers. The glove is bigger to allow the player to scoop up throws that are low in the dirt. Finally, baseball catchers wear round mitts with more padding, which cushions against fast pitches. The round glove also allows a catcher to smother the ball when it's thrown in the dirt. In softball, catchers and first basemen also wear mitts that allow defensive players to easily scoop the ball while also providing padding. A softball catcher's mitt more closely resembles that of a baseball first baseman.
  
  

Size

• The size of baseball and softball gloves vary depending on the defensive position of the player wearing the glove. For example, outfielder's gloves are larger than infielder's gloves to allow the fielders to easily catch pop flies. Catcher's mitts and first baseman's gloves are larger and don't have individual fingers in the gloves. An adult outfielder's glove is about 12 inches from the heel of the glove near the wrist to the top of the glove. Softball gloves are larger than baseball gloves because they must accommodate a bigger ball. Most softball gloves measure around 14 inches from heel to tip.
  
  

Considerations

• Before using a new glove in a game, be sure to break it in. Different baseball and softball players have different methods of breaking in a glove. Some use baby oil to help break in the leather in the pocket. Others will take a baseball or softball and tie it into the new glove's pocket with string for an extended period of time. Over time the glove will get broken in, but gloves that are made of real leather can sometimes take longer than gloves made from synthetic materials.