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Friday, January 8, 2010

How to Choose a Baseball Glove to Use at Baseball Camps

Youth baseball instruction is a great way to improve skills and prepare for an upcoming season. Purchasing a baseball glove is one of the first things you'll want to do before engaging in baseball drills. Moms and dads can look online to find baseball gloves for their children or visit local, sporting good stores to find a variety of name-brand mitts. We would suggest the latter, because you'll be able to physically handle the mitt and try it on for size.

First, consider the child's position during baseball season. Pitcher's gloves and infielder's gloves are generally smaller than other gloves. In addition, catcher's gloves and first baseman's gloves are entirely unique. Outfielder's gloves are larger than that of infielders. Baseball camps usually train kids to play all positions in order for them to gain experience and hone their talents. In this case, it may be best to seek a 'utility glove', which is larger than an infielder's glove, and will enable the child to play most defensive positions.

Budgets can be a concern. The price of baseball gloves can range drastically. It is suggested to invest in a quality glove if the child has been playing baseball for some time and envisions playing for some time to come. The higher-end gloves will last longer and will respond better at baseball camp and in league play.

As previously stated, it is important to try the glove on for a good fit. If the glove does not feel natural, then the child may not use it well during baseball drills or in live games. Manufacturers attempt to fashion gloves so 'one size fits all', but their aspirations do not always come to fruition. Make sure the child understands that the 'stiffness' will subside once they get a chance to begin using the glove and 'breaking it in'.

Gloves are measured from their heel (the edge of the glove located near the wearer's wrist) to the top of the glove on the palm side (near the wearer's fingers). Youth gloves range from about 8" to about 12". 12" gloves are probably too large for most youths, yet some children in their preteens may use them.

Baseball gloves feature several types of backs and webs. Open-web backs are usually for outfielders and third baseman. Closed-web backs are preferred by infielders and pitchers. Catcher's mitts are heavily padded and are entirely unique to that position; you cannot use a catcher's mitt in any other position. Similarly, the first baseman's mitt is unique to that position. It is shaped very much like a catcher's mitt, yet is less padded and affords the wearer more mobility. Infielder's gloves are smaller than outfielder's gloves because in baseball drills and games, it is important for the infielder's to get the ball out of their gloves quickly; a larger mitt could delay the process.

Labels: baseball camps, baseball drills, baseball fundamentals, baseball hitting coaches, baseball hitting instruction, softball camps, summer camps, youth baseball

posted by Zoned Inc. at 7:34 AM

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