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If you want to play softball effectively, choosing the right bat is only half the battle. Equally important is choosing a high-quality glove that’s going to let you make consistent catches when playing on the infield defensive. Nothing is worse than having the ball hit your glove, and roll out of your grasp and onto the ground, instead of making a catch. With the right infield softball glove, this should never happen.
What makes an Infield softball glove different?
If you’re an infielder, your glove is specifically designed for fast, up-close-and-personal play. Compared to outfield gloves, infield gloves are shorter, with shallower finger slots and a smaller pocket. This is because infield gloves are designed for speed and accuracy. Infield gloves allow players to more quickly transfer the ball from the glove into their throwing hand, and are a bit lighter too for faster play.
As a general rule, the closer you get to the batter, the shorter and shallower your glove will be. The first-base glove, for example, is even shorter than other infielder gloves and features a shallower pocket too. The pitcher usually has a lighter glove than all other players. (Pitchers also often opt for close webbed gloves because it allows less visibility into the positioning of their fingers on the ball, which could tip off the other team as to what type of ball they plan to throw.)
The webbing on an Infield softball glove is also different. On an infield glove, the webbing in the glove’s pocket is normally made with an I-web, H-web, post web, or some kind of Trapeze pocket. In some cases, the third base player may decide to buy a glove with a closed web because they often receive harder and faster balls, however this is a matter of preference.
The standard size for infield softball gloves is between 11.5 and 12.5 inches.
back to menu ↑Overall Best Softball Glove for Infielder Positions
Nokona X2 Buckaroo X2-V1250
The Nokona X2 Buckaroo X2-V1250 is a top of the line glove with all the features and design aspects you could hope for in an infield softball glove. This 12.5 inch, fully closed web glove was hand crafted with precision and care right here in the United States with all premium materials. It is the best you can get.
This glove is a two-piece construction, made with the perfect mix of soft, kangaroo leather, and tough, steer hide leather, for a snug and comfortable fit that’s ready to go right away. This combination of leather allows the glove to form to the contours of your hand, and makes the glove extremely easy to break in. At the same time, the steer hide leather makes this an extremely durable glove that will last season-after-season.
The Nokona is the best overall glove to buy if you want to play at higher levels, step up your game, and stay competitive with other players. By investing in the Nokona, you’re also investing in a single glove that you can use in any position on the field.
Features of the Nokona X2 Buckaroo X2-V1250:
- 12.5 inches.
- Fully closed web.
- Proudly made right here in the United States.
- Hot out of the wrapper, ready to play feel. Breaks in easily and quickly.
- Easy to use velcro wrist strap.
- Durable and long lasting for season-after-season play.
- Designed with a padding system to eliminate hand sting.
What players are saying:
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Best Fastpitch Softball Glove for Infielder
1. Nokona X2 Buckaroo series (Best Overall)
As explained above the Nokona is the best glove you can buy, hands down, no matter what infield position you’re playing. It’s 100% American made, crafted by hand with the highest quality leather and most sophisticated designs. This glove is truly ready to use right out of the box, and is designed for the optimal fit. Made from half soft kangaroo leather, and half tough steer hide leather, this glove is as high performing as it is long lasting.
If you’re serious about the game and want to play to the best of your abilities, the Nokona is the glove for you. This glove will let you play any defensive position on the field at the highest levels of performance.
Features of the Nokona X2 Buckaroo X2-V1250
- 12.5 inches.
- Fully closed web.
- Proudly made in the United States.
- Ready to go right out of the box. Breaks in easily and quickly.
- Easy to use velcro wrist strap.
- Durable and long lasting for season-after-season play.
- Designed with a padding system to eliminate hand sting.
What players are saying (additional to reviews seen above):
Best Softball First Base Glove
Rawlings Liberty Advanced Softball Glove Series
Rawlings has perfected their female infield glove design with the Liberty Advanced series. This glove is crafted out of full-grain oil treated leather, making it extremely easy to break in. Out of the box, this glove is about 80% of the way to being ready for competitive gameplay. To break this glove in the rest of the way overnight, follow this simple guide. This 13 inch Rawlings glove series is designed specifically for first base. However, it can be worn elsewhere on the infield and will perform well. The Rawlings Liberty Advanced Glove series offers long-lasting durability and a comfortable fit. This glove is designed with Poron XRD pads that cushion the palm and index finger to eliminate hand sting.
Features of the Liberty Advanced Softball Glove Series:
- 13 inches.
- Designed specifically for first base play.
- Designed with a single post, double bar web.
- Crafted out of full-grain oil treated leather.
- Comes almost all of the way broken in. Glove requires little breaking in before it can be confidently used for competitive play.
- Poron XRD pads on the inside of the glove to cushion and protect the hand.
What players are saying:
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Best Softball Glove For Third Base
Mizuno MVP Prime Fastpitch Softball Glove Series (12 Inch)
The Mizuno MVP Prime is crisp and professional quality upon arrival, right out of the box. This glove is designed with a distinct white colour scheme with a black lace outline and gold stitching. But more important than this glove’s elegant aesthetic is the design features that make it a force to reckon with on the softball diamond.
The Mizuno MVP Prime is crafted with V-cut technology that allows the glove to easily fold completely over the ball, so you never have to worry about the ball dropping out of your glove after impact. This glove also has a center pocket design that’s perfect for softball’s larger ball size. On the back of the glove is an easily adjustable velcro strap so you can fit the glove perfectly to your hand. There is also a single finger exit way on the back of the glove, allowing for the index finger to come out of the glove for optimal comfort and form.
The MVP Prime also incorporates its Parashock technology for a palm pad that effectively protects the hand from hard impacts, preventing hand sting and increasing the glove’s overall comfort.
This glove uses bio soft leather that will make it a bit stiff upon arrival, which contributes to its high level of durability, but will require some breaking in before it reaches peak performance.
Features of the Mizuno MVP Prime:
- 12 inch pattern
- Bio soft leather that creates a durable glove that, once broken in, remains soft and comfortable season-after-season.
- White, black, and gold colour scheme.
- Designed specifically for a female hand.
- 100 day guarantee—if you don’t love this glove in 100 days, send it back for your money back.
- Easy to break in,
- Parashock technology for a comfortable and highly supporting pal pad, reducing hand sting upon impact.
- Powerlock design for a perfect fit.
- Highly durable and long lasting.
- Single finger back hole for optimal comfort and performance.
- Adjustable velcro strap on the back.
- Center pocket design, perfect for softball.
- Tartan webbing.
- Vertical laces on heel, allowing you to break in this glove to the specific contours of your unique hand.
- V-flex notch to make glove easier to close around the ball.
- Designed for infield play.
What players are saying:
Best Size Glove for Fastpitch Softball Infield
Infield softball gloves are designed for a different kind of play than outfield gloves. Even each individual infield position—first base, third base, shortstop etc.—has its own ideal glove size. But across the board, infield gloves are shorter and come with shallower pockets than outfield gloves. This is because shorter, lighter, and shallower gloves increases a player’s speed, which is essential to the fast paced and close quartered nature of the infield.
Best size glove for fastpitch softball infield by age:
8 years and younger: 9 – 10.5 inches
9 – 13 years: 10.5 – 11.5 inches
High School and College: 11.75 – 12.5 inches
The basic differences between gloves made for various infield positions:
First Base:
Shorter infield glove with a stronger, deeper pocket, and lots of cushion for hard throws. Some first base players prefer a closed or two-piece web design, while others prefer an open web design for a quicker transfer from the glove into the throwing hand.
Second base:
Shorter glove with a closed, two-piece, or I-web design and a shallower pocket.
Third Base:
Closed, modified, trapeze, or H-web design with a stronger, deeper pocket that has more cushion for quick hits to the “hot corner.”
Shortstop:
Shorter glove with a closed, two-piece, or I-web design and a shallower pocket.
Choosing the right leather for Fastpitch Softball Gloves
Leather is one of the most important factors to consider before buying a glove. The higher quality the leather, the better the glove will perform and longer it will last. While some high-end gloves will feature materials like Kangaroo leather, most gloves you encounter will be made of either synthetic leather, steer hide, cow hide, or full-grain leather. Here’s how each of these leathers perform.
Full-Grain leather:
This leather is extremely tough, heavy, and stiff. This leather is not typically pre-oiled, and will require some time to break in. But once you break this leather in, this leather is extremely high performing and long lasting. Full-grain leather is often used by professional players.
Cow Hide:
You cannot go wrong with Cow Hide if you’re a competitive player looking to play at peak performance. Compared to other leathers, cow hide breaks in quick and fits well with the hand. The only problem with this type of leather is that it can significantly vary in quality depending on the brand you’re buying from. Therefore, make sure you’re buying from a trusted brand.
Steer Hide:
This is a heavier leather that will last you for years to come. Some of the best gloves in the game incorporate this type of leather. If you’re a professional player, or a player with aspirations to go pro, this is a perfect type of leather to use. Just be sure you’re buying from a trusted brand, as this leather, like cow hide, can vary greatly in quality depending on who you’re buying from.
Synthetic Leather:
As you might expect, this is the cheapest leather that is typically only used in cheap, beginner gloves. This leather is good for young players who are just starting out and who’s hands are growing fast. This is the least expensive leather.
How to take care of a softball glove
Taking care of your glove makes all the difference in terms of its lifespan. If you maintain your glove, it will stay with you season-after-season. If not, you may end up paying for new gloves every season.
The main thing to remember when taking care of your glove is that it’s made of leather. Therefore, the things that will damage and weather your glove are very similar to the things that might damage and wear down skin. For example, never over-oil your glove as it will break it in faster, but too much will also reduce its lifespan. And at the end of your season, if you’re planning to put your glove into storage, put a thin layer of oil on it first so it remains moist and supple. Furthermore, store your glove with a ball fit tightly in its pocket, so it maintains its shape.
Despite what YouTube might tell you, it’s also always a terrible idea to microwave your glove. Imagine microwaving skin. Doesn’t sound like a good idea, does it?
Finally, make sure not to let your water sit in water or areas that are too moist. This will break down your glove and cause it to crack.