Baseball field guide
Youth Baseball Glove Sizes: A Starting Guide for Parents
A glove needs to work on a child’s hand before its style or professional-player connection matters. Use an age-and-position chart to choose a few starting sizes, then have the player try them. Two gloves carrying the same inch measurement can still feel different in the hand.
Start with the short answer
The short answer
Rawlings’ general chart starts tee-ball players ages 3–6 at 8.5–10 inches. For ages 7–12, its ranges vary by position. Treat those figures as options to try, then check the child’s throwing hand, finger fit, and ability to open and close the glove.
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In this guide
Use the chart to narrow the rack
Rawlings identifies its chart as a general guide. The figures below are not a guarantee that every child of an age or position will use the same glove. If a coach has a preferred starting range, bring that advice to the fitting and ask how it suits the player’s current role.
| Rawlings chart group | Position | Starting glove range |
|---|---|---|
| Tee ball, ages 3–6 | All positions | 8.5–10 in. |
| Youth, ages 7–12 | Infield | 10.25–11.5 in. |
| Youth, ages 7–12 | Outfield | 11.5–12.25 in. |
| Youth, ages 7–12 | First base | 11.5–12 in. |
Check throwing hand before size
Have the child demonstrate which hand they throw with. The glove goes on the other hand. Read the retailer’s handedness label carefully because listings often describe the throwing hand rather than the hand that wears the glove. If the wording is unclear, ask the seller before ordering.
A gift buyer should get this answer directly from the family. A photo of the existing glove and its label can help identify what the child already uses, but the family should still confirm that it is the correct hand and a useful size to replace.
Watch the child work the glove
Ask the player to put on the glove without an adult forcing their fingers into place. Look at how their hand sits, ask about pressure, and have them open and close it. Discuss any slipping or difficulty controlling the glove with the fitter; a larger glove is not automatically a better choice.
If the child is new and rotates through positions, ask the coach whether a general-purpose fielder’s glove is the sensible first purchase. A specialist first-base mitt can wait for a confirmed role. Keep the purchase tied to how the child plays now rather than an imagined future position.
Compare usability and return conditions
Compare several suitable gloves at different prices. Read the materials and care instructions, and ask what preparation the chosen model needs. Follow the maker’s instructions rather than applying heat, oils, or an improvised treatment that could affect the materials or the return.
For a used glove, inspect the laces, seams, lining, and shape with the seller or fitter. Compare its condition and total cost with a new option. Keep the receipt for a gift and leave time for the child to try it before the season starts.
Sources & approach
We checked the following manufacturer, retailer, and governing-body references on . This guide does not claim hands-on testing. Confirm the selected model, size, current price, and return terms at the retailer.
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