The Second Base Glove: How To Choose One
Second base is a great position for athletic players. Players who play in the “4” spot (the position on a baseball scorecard or lineup card) have to have range, speed, and good hands. But having good hands doesn’t just come down to the fielder’s ability to stop a ground ball or line drive. It has to do with having the right glove. In this guide, I’ll discuss the second base gloves and how to choose one.
Note: This is our guide to secondbase gloves for baseball. While a lot of the same principles apply to a softball glove, you’re better off waiting for our guides on softball glove selection over the next few weeks.
Second Basemen: The Evolution as Players Age
If you’re a young player or a parent of a young player who plays second base, you might not like this section. But, it’s my job to be honest with you, and you might find it important when choosing a glove that may last a few years.
Second base is a funny position. At the lower levels, coaches often put some of the least talented ball players at second. This is because you can somewhat “hide” a weaker player here. Generally speaking, the balls that are hit to the second basemen are weaker, and the throw from second to first is the shortest on the infield. That’s just how it is.
But as players age and strengthen, the middle infielders (second basemen and shortstops) have to be the best fielders on the team. Around 11 and 12 years old, second has to start thinking about turning a double play, making backhand stops deep behind the second base bag (the hole), and quick transfers that allow them to throw the ball ahead of speedy players. Also, players begin to learn how to hit to opposite field, which means a righty with an inside-out swing could drive a hard-hit ball right at the second baseman.
At these levels, the player’s athleticism and skill matter. They have to think about stopping the baseball, transferring it from their glove hand to their throwing hand, and either getting the ball to the shortstop in a hurry. Or, they have to think about getting to the bag, receiving the ball from the shortstop, and making a quick transfer that allows them to throw a seed to the first baseman. All of this matters, especially when choosing a second base glove.
It’s also worth noting that guys who play the 4 position are usually some of the smaller players on the field, with smaller hands. For this reason, they can use an infield glove with shallower pockets, smaller hand stalls, and a smaller pattern.
What Does a Second Baseman Need in a Baseball Glove?
As a middle infielder, a second baseman needs some specific attributes or patterns in his glove. The following are some of the most typical needs of second basemen, but there may be some personal preference that comes into play for some players. So, just use these as guidelines.
The Right Glove Sizes
Second basemen generally use smaller glove sizes. This allows them to quickly glove the ball and find it with their throwing hand to make a quick transfer. Choosing the right size glove when shopping for a new glove is arguably the most critical.
The typical infield glove sizes for second basemen at a competitive level is between 11.25 inches and 11.5 inches. There may be some players who like a slightly larger infield glove with a slightly deeper pocket (11.75 inches), but this is usually a utility-type player who may bounce between third base and the middle infield positions and only has one do-all baseball glove. High school, college, and pro middle infielders use the smaller infield gloves.
A Shallow Pocket
A shallow pocket is a must for dedicated second basemen. As mentioned above, a shallower pocket allows the infielder to quickly find the glove with their throwing hand without looking down into their glove. When there’s a slow dribbler from a speedy runner on the infield, a shallow pocket can make all the difference in getting that player at first base.
Also, as players’ skills develop, it’s not uncommon to see the middle infielders perform a move called a “glove flip.” A glove flip involves tossing the ball to the shortstop or first baseman with their glove hand. Shallow pockets in a second baseman glove facilitate glove flips, while a deeper pocket would make it almost impossible as it rattles around or hangs up in the glove.
An I-Web
This can be a matter of preference, but most players on the infield prefer an I-web design. Webs are the parts that stretches between the index fingers and the thumb. An I-web design is literally shaped like an I. This design allows the second baseman glove to quickly secure the glove in the pocket without collecting dirt (the dirt passes through). This prevents them from grabbing a handful of slippery infield dirt or glove-flipping a glove full of dirt into the shortstop’s eyes.
Note: There is some confusion between I and H web gloves, since an I turned sideways does look like an H. An H web glove is usually reserved for outfielders, while most gloves on the infield other than the first baseman glove is typically an I.
Double Note: A fun exception to the middle infielder glove web rule was Derek Jeter. Jeter (shortstop for the New York Yankees from 1995 to 2014) preferred a basketweave on his baseball glove, as he felt this would prevent him from slipping his fingers through the web and getting hung up in the glove.
An Open Back
The back of the glove is the part along the back of the hand and wrist. Some gloves might have closed backs like pitcher’s gloves) but the best second baseman glove will have an open design. This allows a bit more flexibility in the glove but also allows the players to leave their index finger through the hole and outside of the hand stall. This allows for a bit more glove control, especially for players with smaller hands, resulting in a better feel for turning a double play or knocking down a hot line drive.
Lightweight
Middle infielder gloves need to be lightweight, so they don’t have a lot of padding or extra material like other baseball gloves, such as a catcher’s mitt, first baseman’s glove, or outfielder’s glove. The ball just typically isn’t thrown or driven as hard to these infield positions. In fact, it’s become quite popular with premium gloves to include synthetic materials that are lighter than heavy-duty leather.
Also, extra padding may protect the player’s hand, but it also lessens their feel for the ball. If they don’t know where the ball is in their glove, they’ll have a hard time with transfers and turning double plays on the infield.
Which Brands Make the Best Second Base Gloves?
There are a few brands that are popular for MLB second basemen, as well as travel ball, high school, college, and minor ball players.
Rawlings Heart of the Hide infield glove is a popular choice among expert ball players. These gloves are made from incredibly high-quality leather and come in patterns that work extremely well for a second baseman. The Rawlings Heart of the Hide Pro Preferred models are even better. Both glove types are available in customized designs, as well.
However, Wilson also has some extremely popular gloves. The Wilson A2000 is the direct competitor with Rawlings Heart of the Hide, and features multiple infield patterns that will serve a second baseman well. For an even more premium choice, the Wilson A2K features even better leather (and some wild patterns), as well as some synthetic materials to help keep the glove extremely light.
When it comes to saving a bit of money while still getting a great infield glove that will last season after season, opt for a Rawlings Gold Glove Elite series or a Wilson A1000. Both of these models are suitable for everyday infield players (or even Dads) and come in smaller patterns that are perfect for middle infield play. They’re also about half the price of a Rawlings Heart of the Hide or Wilson A2000.
The Best MLB Second Basemen and What They Use
I can debate the best second basemen in the game all day, but I’ll use a few current examples of multiple-time infield gold Glovers like DJ Lemahieu and Kolten Wong, as well as generally universally accepted players as a good example. Most of these gloves will either be Rawlings Heart of the Hide or Wilson A2000 or A2ks, so we’ll the following key:
Note: Most of the info will come from WhatProsWear.com, as I love checking these guys out for specifics (though we hate that they require a subscription).
Current MLB Second Baseman
There are so many players that I could’ve included in this list, but here are some of the best players in today’s game.
Mookie Betts (currently LA Dodgers)
Type: Wilson A2K
Size: 11.5 inch
Web: I
Nico Hoerner (currently Chicago Cubs)
Type: Wilson A2000
Size: 11.5 inch
Web: I
Matt Kemp (currently Oakland A’s)
Type: A2000
Web: I
Marcus Semien (currently Texas Rangers)
Type: Rawlings Heart of the Hide
Size: 11.75 inch
Web: I
Brendan Donovan (currently St. Louis Cardinals)
Type: Rawlings Heart of the Hide
Size: 11.5 inch
Web: I
Jose Altuve (currently Houston Astros)
Type: Wilson A2000
Size: 11.5 inch
Web: I
Brandon Lowe (currently Tampa Bay Rays)
Type: Rawlings Heart of the Hide
Size: 11.5 inch
Web: I
Ozzie Albies (currently Atlanta Braves)
Type: Wilson A2K
Size: 11.5 inch
Web: I
Gleyber Torres (currently New York Yankees)
Type: Rawling Heart of the Hide
Size: 11.25 inch
Web: I
Kolten Wong (currently Seattle Mariners)
Type: Rawlings Heart of the Hide
Size: 11.5 inch
Web: V
DJ Lemahieu (currently New York Yankees)
Type: Rawlings Heart of the Hide
Size: 11.5 inch
Web: H
The Best All-Time (generally accepted and with a modern glove)
This required some baseball glove research on some of the most beloved second basemen to ever hold down the infield, but I got you. I wasn’t able to figure out what size glove most of them used, but it’s worth noting that it appears older players used even smaller glove models. It also wasn’t to determine which brand each player used, as they ranged from Wilson to MacGregor to SSK to Mizuno. Some models may have been Rawlings Heart of the Hide, though, as the moniker first appeared as far back as 1958.
Joe Morgan
Size: SMALL
Web: Closed
Roberto Alomar
Size: 11 inch
Web: Hybrid
Ryne Sandberg
Size: Small
Web: Basket
Jackie Robinson
Size: Small
Web: Hybrid
Robinson Cano
Size: 11.5
Web: I
How To Break In a Second Baseman’s Glove
Once you decide on a secondbase glove for the infield, you’ll have to break it in. Breaking in a baseball glove is pretty personal, as each player is different. However, there are some guidelines to follow.
1. Beat It Up
Loosening up the leather is the first part of breaking in a baseball glove. Start by beating the glove with a mallet design for breaking in a baseball glove. Smack the pocket, roll the glove over and smack the outside of the glove, and the hinges. In general, you just want to give it a good beating which can be hard to do when you spend $300 on an infield glove, but trust me, it can take it.
2. Condition It
Glove conditioner (not glove oil) can help loosen up the leather in an infield glove without weighing it down or making it greasy. It also protects the glove’s pores from dirt and stains. Give it a good conditioning, even if it’s a new glove (you don’t know how long it sat on a store or warehouse shelf).
3. Play Catch
Playing catch is the most important step in the break-in process. This is when the glove starts to form to the player’s hand, and they can get to know how it reacts. The glove will start to close how the second baseman naturally squeezes his hand, whether it’s thumb to ring finger (thumb to ring finger is the most common for an infield glove) or thumb to middle fingers (more common for outfielders).
Catching balls thrown hard will also develop the pocket around the wearer’s hand, allowing them to get a feel for how an infield glove will react to ground balls, line drives, and even pop flies. Don’t forget to field some live BP with a new infield glove as well, but don’t get frustrated if you struggle to lock them down. After a few weeks, your infield glove will be game-ready.
