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Product Reviews

Best Infield Baseball Gloves For Youth Baseball (Top 6)

Written by Chris 

Published on February 22, 2024

As your child begins to play baseball, one of the most important pieces of equipment they will need is a good baseball glove. Choosing infield baseball gloves can be difficult, as there are many different factors to consider. This blog post will provide tips to help you choose the perfect youth infield gloves for your child. 

Top 7 Youth Infield Baseball Gloves

As a baseball player, you know that having the right glove can make all the difference in your performance on the field. If you're looking for infield baseball gloves that will give you an edge, you should consider owning one of the gloves below. Each of these gloves has unique benefits that will help your game. 

1. The Wilson A2000 Baseball Glove Series

The Wilson A2000 Baseball Glove Series is a top choice for youth infielders. Featuring Flat Finger Binding, players can play with a finger outside the glove for greater comfort and control in the field. The Pro Stock Leather material is durable and provides a great feel, while the Spin Control Technology with a dimpled pattern in the palm and web helps reduce the spin rate of the ball. This allows for quicker transfers.


The redesigned ComfortPro Fit includes a softer liner with the ProLux Leather and a Comfort Sleeve that conceals the binding in the wrist for added comfort. The A2000 Series offers features that make it a standout choice for youth infielders.

2. Rawlings Heart Of The Hide

The Rawlings Heart of the Hide is another excellent option for an infield baseball glove. This glove contains steer hide leather, known for its exceptional softness and comfort. It is also very lightweight, which will help you field the ball more easily.


For years, Rawlings has been the gold standard when it comes to baseball gloves, and their infielder gloves are no exception. This Heart of the Hide 11.5-inch Pro forms an excellent pocket and enhances your glove-to-throwing hand transfers.


If you're looking for a glove that will help you field your position at the highest level, Rawlings baseball gloves are the way to go.

3. Nokona Baseball Gloves

Nokona gloves are widely regarded as the best baseball gloves due to their high-quality materials. Craftsmen individually cut, stamp, stitch, lace, and embroider each glove. The company has been making gloves for over 85 years in the USA and they have a reputation for durability and comfort. Nokona gloves are also very popular among professional baseball players. 

4. Mizuno Pro

Mizuno, a Japanese company, makes high-quality sports gear, and their baseball gloves are a big hit with both pro and semi-pro players. The Mizuno Pro glove is especially good for infielders. It's light but durable, made from KIP leather which is softer than regular leather. Plus, it's breathable, keeping your hand comfortable during games.

5. Rawlings REV1X Series Infield Glove

The Rawlings Rev1X youth infielder glove is a game-changer in the world of baseball gloves. Its revolutionary Digital Light Synthesis Technology helps create a perfect 3D shape and a sleek profile that won’t wear down over time. The optimized lattice structure in the thumb and pinky provides players with stiffness, reducing weight without sacrificing protection or durability. The lace-less web design eliminates top-of-the-web lacing, providing improved field ability and mobility.


The Rawlings Rev1X is a cutting-edge glove designed for the modern game of baseball, and it's no surprise that many consider it one of the best youth infielder gloves on the market.

6. Easton Pro Series

The Easton Pro Collection Series Infielder Baseball Glove is a top contender for any youth infielder looking for an upgrade in their equipment. Made from premium reserve USA steer hide leather, this glove boasts top-quality materials that ensure both durability and a comfortable feel. The smooth oiled cowhide palm lining is so comfortable and molds to the player's hand for maximum feel and control.


This glove features position-specific professional patterns, so players can rest assured that they are using the correct design for their infield position. Finally, the cowhide finger lining enhances leather memory during break-in, making it easier to get the glove game-ready.


If you're looking for a quality infield glove that is affordable and similar quality to some of the higher-end gloves, the Easton Pro Collection Series Infielder Baseball Glove is the one for you.

Before You Buy

Consider the size of the glove. If the glove is too big, it will be difficult for your child to control the ball. If the glove is too small, it will be uncomfortable and may cause your child to develop blisters.

Consider the leather the glove is made with. Cowhide is the most popular type of leather used in baseball gloves, as it is durable and has a good grip. Kip Leather is used in high end gloves while synthetic leather is used in some of the cheaper entry level options.

Webbing - The webbing is part of the glove that goes between the thumb and the forefinger.

Price - Gloves can range from around $20 to $600. Decide how much you will spend on a glove before you start shopping. 

Why Are Infield Baseball Gloves Important?

If you are an infielder, you need to be able to make quick decisions. One second could be the difference between an out and a base hit. Glove manufacturers know this, so they have designed more compact, lightweight, and durable gloves suitable for infielders. Infield baseball gloves also have shallow pockets designed to make ball transfers much faster and easier.


With most of the defensive action typically taking place in the infield, these gloves need to withstand lots of abuse. Comfortability is also often overlooked, but it really shouldn't be. Think about all of the hours between practices and games where you will be using this glove. You want your equipment to give you an advantage in the field, but it shouldn't come at the expense of comfort.

What Materials Are Used In Baseball Gloves?

Before deciding on a glove, I wanted to look closely at some of the materials that are used. The choices of glove materials are usually synthetics, leather, or premium leather.

Premium Leather Gloves

The best baseball gloves on the market are made from premium leather. These gloves cater to those serious about their game or making a living playing baseball. Manufacturers usually make premium leather gloves from steer hide or full-grain leather. One of the downsides to using these high-quality leathers is that it will take a lot longer to break in a glove compared to other models. 


I have a premium leather baseball mitt that I got for my birthday when I was 12 years old, and I still use it to play catch with my son. I am 42, so that shows how long they will last if you take care of them. You may not want to spend the money when your kids are young because they will outgrow them quickly. Wait until they get a little older before dropping hundreds of dollars on a glove.

Leather

You will want to upgrade to a leather glove for your child after graduating from t-ball and instructional leagues. You may see some young players with leather gloves, but they are more popular for players aged 12 and up. Leather gloves cost a little more compared to synthetic ones, but they offer much better quality and will last for a long time if you take proper care of them.

Synthetic Leather Gloves

Synthetic leather baseball gloves are an affordable and low-maintenance option, perfect for young or beginner players. They require little to no break-in time and are less costly to replace as a player grows. These gloves mimic real leather's appearance and feel but offer superior durability, flexibility, and resistance to the elements.

Baseball Glove Webbing Options

After selecting the type of material for your glove, you can also choose between different webbing patterns. Players may have a preference for glove design, but the different webbing patterns have additional benefits depending on the position you play.

Webbing Styles

Basket - Made of two pieces of leather, one piece for the thumb and one piece for the fingers, that are sewn together at the base. The webbing forms a basket where the ball can be caught.

H-Web - Made of a series of horizontal and vertical straps that criss-cross each other to form a web-like pattern in the shape of an "H." This webbing is used on outfielder and infielder gloves as it provides good support.

Trapeze - A popular choice with outfielders because, in addition to the deeper pocket, the glove provides shade from the sun while tracking a fly ball. 

 Modified Trapeze - Popular for all positions, including pitchers. Almost identical to the trapeze webbing but includes a leather strip at the top of the web to make it more stable.

I-Web - Similar to the H-Web, the I-Web has leather pieces that make up a capital "I" shape. This webbing pattern is usually found in the infield baseball gloves since its style is better for faster ball transfers.

Two-Piece - Comparable to the basket webbing, the two-piece is excellent for hiding pitches, making it a favorite of pitchers.

Single Post - This webbing style includes a vertical strip with two horizontal bars. Also known as a Cross Web, the single post is primarily used by first-baseman.

What's The Right Glove For Your Position?

To become the best baseball player you can be, choose the right glove for your respective position on the field. Here are a few things to be aware of:

Pitcher - If you are primarily a pitcher, you will want to pick a glove with some closed webbing. This will allow you to hide your hand and the ball from the hitter. A pitcher's gloves will often have less padding because pitchers won't have as many opportunities to field. 

Infielders - Infielders typically use a five-fingered glove with a shallow pocket.

Outfielders - Unlike infielders who need to get the ball out quickly to make a play at the base, outfielders need a deeper pocket to catch fly balls. These bigger gloves can help extend a player's reach, potentially resulting in more outs. 

Catcher - Catchers' mitts are heavily padded and often fingerless. The heavy padding will reduce the sting of a ball thrown by the pitcher. The way the glove is shaped makes catching the pitch easier and provides a better target for the pitcher to focus on. 

First basemen gloves are unique and position-specific. The glove is much wider and flatter on the outside. This design makes it easier to scoop grounders or bad throw.

What Size Baseball Glove Do I Need?

To find the perfect fit, consider the player's age, position, and hand size. Remember, it is always better to err on the side of a larger glove so that your child can grow into it.

Glove Size Chart

Take a look at this baseball glove size chart from Rawlings:
LEVEL AGE POSITION GLOVE SIZE
T-BALL 3 to 6 years old All Positions 8.5"-10"
YOUTH 7 to 12 years old 1st Base 11.5"-12"
YOUTH 7-12 years old Infield 10.25"-11.5
YOUTH 7-12 years old Outfield 11.5"-12.25
ADULT 12+ years old 1st Base 12"-13"
ADULT 12+ years old Infield 11.25"-12"
ADULT 12+ years Outfield 12"-12.75"

Rawlings

Final Thoughts

I hope this article was informative and has answered all of your questions about infielder gloves. Use this as a guide to help you make educated decisions about the appropriate glove you should purchase for your child. The glove is arguably the most important piece of equipment a ballplayer will need for success in the game. No matter what age or skill level, there’s a baseball glove that fits your child’s playing style and position.