Baseball is a beloved American pastime, and one of the most important pieces of equipment for any ballplayer is a glove. A glove can help a player catch a ball, field a ground ball, or throw it accurately. While it may seem simple enough, a glove can be tricky to fit correctly. So, how do you fit a baseball glove? Read on to find out!
Measuring Your Hand
Before you can fit a glove, you need to measure your hand. This will help you find a glove that is the correct size for you and fits comfortably. To measure your hand, you will need a flexible measuring tape. Wrap the tape around the widest part of your palm, usually at the base of your fingers. You should measure from the base of your palm to the tip of your middle finger. Write down this measurement, and use it to find a glove that is the right size.
Choosing the Right Glove
Now that you’ve measured your hand, it’s time to choose the right glove. Generally speaking, the size of glove you need is based on your position. For example, infielders and catchers usually need smaller gloves, while pitchers and outfielders can use bigger gloves. The size of your hand will also be a factor in determining the size of glove you need.
When selecting a glove, it’s important to consider the material it’s made from. Leather gloves are typically the most durable, but they can be expensive. Synthetic gloves are usually less expensive, but they tend to wear out faster. Once you’ve chosen the right glove, you can start the process of fitting it to your hand.
Breaking In Your Glove
Breaking in your glove is an important part of the glove-fitting process. This will help the glove form to your hand and make it more comfortable to use. One of the most popular ways to break in a glove is to hit it with a mallet. This will help soften the leather and make it more pliable. You can also use a glove conditioner, which will help add moisture to the leather and make it more flexible.
Making Adjustments
Once you’ve broken in your glove, you may need to make some adjustments to ensure it fits properly. If the glove is too tight, you can try stretching it with a glove stretching tool. This will help the glove fit more snugly on your hand. You can also try loosening the laces on the back of the glove, which will make the glove more flexible.
Another adjustment you can make is to adjust the tension on the webbing of the glove. This will help determine how quickly the glove closes when you catch a ball. You can adjust the tension by loosening or tightening the laces on the back of the glove.
Conclusion
Fitting a baseball glove correctly is an important part of playing baseball. It can help you catch and field the ball more safely and accurately. Before you can fit a glove, you’ll need to measure your hand and choose the right size. Then, you can break in the glove and make adjustments to ensure it fits comfortably. With the right glove and a bit of patience, you’ll be ready to play ball in no time!