How To Choose a Pitching Glove
Let’s give pitchers their due: It’s a hard job. Not only is it difficult to simply stand on the mound and compete pitch after pitch, but the amount of work and practice it takes to consistently pump the zone with a variety of pitches is unbelievable. It’s a demanding position, so pitchers demand excellence from their pitching gloves.
In this guide, we’ll go over what it takes to find the right pitching glove. We’ll talk about size, web type, pocket, and more. Here’s what you need to know to choose a pitching glove.
Note: This is just our guide to choosing a pitcher’s glove. We’ve written other guides on others, including shortstop gloves and second base gloves. But these are all baseball-oriented. Stay tuned for softball articles next.
Affiliate Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, RBI Gear may make a small commission at no additional cost to you.
What Pitchers Need from a Pitching Glove
It might pain the rest of the team to hear this, but pitchers really are the star of the show. Their role is critical and if they’re not on the money, the rest of the team’s job gets a lot harder. And just like their role is important and demanding, so are their needs from a pitching glove. Here’s what they need.
The Right Size for a Pitching Glove
Unlike the gloves of the shortstop, second baseman, or third baseman, a pitcher’s glove needs to be big (as in between 12 and 12.5 inches, typically)—almost as big as an outfield glove. The reason for this is simple: pitchers need to hide their pitch grips from the opposing team, and having a big glove gives them the ability to adjust their grip on the ball without being seen. The 1st and 3rd base coach won’t be able to see, nor will the team in the dugout, the on-deck batter, or the batter in the box.
The player most likely to see pitch grips is a runner on second base. But even then, a big glove held close to the chest while the pitcher is in the stretch will usually hide the grip long enough to make it impossible for the runner to signal the batter.
The Right Web for a Pitcher’s Glove
The web on a pitching glove matters just as much as the size, and it’s for the same reason. Pitchers don’t want batters to be able to see their fingers on the seams of the baseball, and some grips are distinct even through the small holes of an I-web design. A three-pitch fastball, curveball, changeup pitcher will be toast if the other team gets a look at their grip.
Common web styles include the basketweave, two-piece hinged web, the trapeze web, and the solid panel. All of these web styles prevent the batter from sneaking a peak at the pitch grip.
The Right Color
Typically, pitchers aren’t allowed to wear white or gray gloves or gloves trimmed with white. Umpires will typically tell them to switch their gloves during their warm-ups if they believe it’s an issue. The reason is that the batter can become distracted by the glove, thinking it’s the baseball. In our opinion, it’s a nonsense, antiquated rule, and most umpires in travel tournaments don’t even call it anymore.
But, at the higher levels (school ball, college, and definitely the pros), white’s a no-go. Nestor Cortez was even forced to black out the white “44” logo on the back of one of his gloves, which he did between innings.
The Right Back Design
Pitchers have a choice between two back designs: open and closed. Some prefer an open back because they’re working hard and sweating, and allowing a little airflow into the glove helps. It also makes the glove slightly lighter. Other pitchers might prefer a closed back, with or without a finger hole. It’s a preference for each individual pitcher.
A Note on Realistic Needs
Realistically, youth pitchers can use their infield gloves for pitching. In most cases, they don’t have a variety of pitches, batters are typically always confused anyway, and there’s just not a major need for a different glove.
However, if you want to give your player the best possible chance at dominating on the mound (and their form, accuracy, and pitch grips are dialed in), a pitching glove is important.
Who Makes the Best Pitching Gloves
Pitching gloves have come a long way in recent years and there are a lot more manufacturers producing excellent quality gloves than ever before. With most other types of gloves, we only suggest Wilson or Rawlings, but when it comes to pitching gloves, here are some additional options:
Wilson A2000 or A2K
Wilson is one of the best brands when it comes to gloves of any type, and its two highest-end models made for competitive ballplayers are the A2000 and A2K. They’re made of extremely high-quality leather, and the A2K is even available in other quality materials that can lighten the glove and add some style. They’re both customizable as well, which pitchers tend to love.
Rawlings Heart of the Hide and Pro-Preferred
Like Wilson, Rawlings is a leader in the glove industry and has been for many years. Rawlings offers two premium lines: Heart of the Hide and Pro-Preferred. Both are available in pitcher patterns, which include closed webs and longer lengths. These gloves are also customizable, though they’re not available in as many wild variations off-the-shelf as Wilson gloves.
Rico Gloves
Rico is a custom glove brand, though it does have some stock models available. While they offer infield and outfield patterns, Rico’s main focus is pitching gloves, and players can choose any color or style variation they want (and there are a lot of options!).
44 Gloves
44 is another fully customizable brand that makes high-quality pitching gloves. Almost all of its infield patterns are available in sizes up to 12 inches, while some are available in 12.25, and it’s these base gloves that pitchers can build their pitching gloves off of. Some of these models have over 30 web designs, as well.
Nike Gloves
If you watch enough baseball, you might notice that a lot of pitchers wear gloves made by Nike. These gloves are typically a bit smaller than normal pitching gloves, but they feature the closed web designs required for the position. For pitchers with smaller hands, these could be great options.
What gloves do the pros wear?
The following is a list of Gold Glovers and Cy Young winners. It’s safe to say they know what they’re doing when it comes to choosing a pitching glove.
Seth Lugo
Type: Wilson A2K
Web: Two-piece hinge
Jose Berrios
Type: Rawlings Pro-Preferred
Web: Two-piece hinge
Shane Bieber
Type: Rawlings Pro-Preferred (Gameday 57 Series)
Web: Two-piece hinge
Chris Sale
Type: Mizuno
Web: Two-piece hinge
Zack Wheeler
Type: Rawlings Pro-Preferred
Web: Basketweave
Max Fried
Type: Rawlings Heart of the Hide (Gameday 57 Series)
Web: Two-piece hinge
Shohei Ohtani
Type: Custom New Balance x Wilson A2K
Web: Two-piece hinge
Gerrit Cole
Type: Rawlings Pro-Preferred
Web: Vertical hinge
Blake Snell
Type: Rawlings Pro-Preferred
Web: Basketweave
Justin Verlander
Type: Rawlings Pro-Preferred
Web: Basketweave
Sandy Alcantara
Type: Rawlings Pro-Preferred
Web: Two-piece hinge
How To Break In a Pitching Glove
Once you’ve chosen the right glove for pitching, you’ll need to break it in. Pitcher’s gloves are usually stiff when new and require proper break-in for comfort and functionality. Here’s a step-by-step guide.
Decide How It Should Close
Pitchers typically prefer a glove that closes thumb-to-ring finger. This type of closure forms a pocket that’s deep enough to securely grip the ball but also compact, allowing for quick maneuvers. Avoid thumb-to-middle finger closures, as they don’t create the ideal pocket shape for pitching.
Decide How You’ll Wear It
Consider how to wear your glove to suit your comfort and style. Many pitchers opt for the “two in the pinky” setup, where the pinky and ring fingers go in the pinky stall, the middle finger goes in the ring finger stall, and the pointer finger is placed in the middle finger stall. This positioning gives the glove a deeper pocket and a secure fit, making it easier to snap shut. Alternatively, you can use the traditional setup, with each finger in its designated stall, for a tighter fit.
Break It In with a Mallet
Use a glove mallet to start breaking in your glove. Pound the pocket, palm, heel, and edges of the glove to soften the leather and encourage flexibility. Roll the glove along its hinge points to create the natural closure shape that’s essential for pitchers. Don’t worry about being too gentle; pitcher’s gloves are made to handle this break-in process.
Condition the Leather
Apply a quality glove conditioner to help soften the leather and protect it. Avoid using glove oil, as it can make the glove heavy and overly slick. Conditioner keeps the leather supple without adding weight and protects it from dirt, stains, and moisture. Conditioning is especially important if the glove has been sitting on a shelf for a while.
Play Catch
Playing catch is essential to the break-in process, as it helps the glove mold to your hand and establishes a natural closure. Regular use will shape the glove to close naturally, generally in a thumb-to-ring finger formation. For pitchers, getting used to how the glove responds is important, as you’ll need to conceal your grip and have quick access to the ball. Practicing with firm throws helps shape the pocket and lets you feel how the glove handles different throws.
After a few weeks of consistent use, your glove will be game-ready, fully broken in, and comfortable enough to support you through every pitch.
Pitching Glove FAQs
What size gloves do pro pitchers use?
Pro pitchers generally wear gloves that are between 12 and 12.5 inches long, with most preferring 12.25-inch gloves.
What color gloves can pitchers not use?
Pitching gloves cannot be white or light gray, for fear it will give them an unfair advantage and distract the batter.
What is the difference between a pitcher’s glove and an infielder’s glove?
Pitcher’s gloves generally have closed webs and longer designs, while infielder’s gloves are usually shorter and have webs that allow dirt to easily pass through the glove.
Why do pitchers keep one finger out of the glove?
There are a few reasons why pitchers keep a finger out of the glove. One is that it prevents the index finger from being “blown up” by hard-hit balls and throws back from the catcher, as the extra material pads the blow. The other reason is that a finger out of the glove pinches it in position, securing the glove while propelling themselves through their pitching motions.
