In the game of baseball, the infielder’s glove is one of the most important pieces of equipment that a player can have. It is important for infielders to be able to quickly and accurately close their glove on an incoming ball. In order to do this, infielders need to understand how the glove should close and the best techniques to use in order to successfully close it.
Types of Infielder’s Glove
The first step to understanding how an infielder’s glove should close is to understand the different types of gloves available. Infielder’s gloves come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, and each of these gloves has a different way of closing. The most common type of glove used by infielders is the closed web glove. This type of glove has a pocket that is completely enclosed, and the pocket is closed by lacing the webbing together. This type of glove is very popular because it offers a lot of protection for the player’s hand and is very effective at catching the ball.
The other type of glove that is popular among infielders is an open-web glove. This type of glove does not have a pocket that is completely enclosed, but instead has a web that is open on one side. This type of glove is less protective than the closed-web glove, but can be more effective at catching the ball because the web is more easily able to wrap around the ball.
Closing the Glove
Once the type of glove has been determined, it is time to learn how to properly close the glove. The most important thing to remember is to always keep the glove open until the ball is about to be caught. If the glove is closed too soon, the ball may bounce off, resulting in an error. When closing the glove, the player should start by bringing the thumb and index finger together, and then quickly squeezing the glove closed with the other fingers.
Using the Forearm
Another technique that can be used to close the glove quickly and effectively is to use the forearm. The player should place the glove on the forearm, and then wrap the other hand around the glove. This will help to close the glove quickly and securely. It is important to keep the glove close to the forearm and to make sure that the fingers are not sticking out in order to ensure that the glove closes properly.
Using the Wrist
The last technique for closing the glove is the wrist technique. This technique involves using the wrist to quickly close the glove. To do this, the player should place the glove on the wrist and then use the other hand to quickly close the glove. This technique can be difficult to master, but once it is mastered, it can be a very effective way to quickly close the glove.
Conclusion
Closing the glove is one of the most important skills for an infielder to master. In order to do this effectively, it is important to understand the different types of gloves available and the best techniques to use in order to close the glove quickly and securely. By understanding how the glove should close and the best techniques to use, an infielder can be more effective at catching the ball and preventing errors.