Sometimes you get invited to join a softball team, maybe with friends, co-workers, charity event, or just some fun in the park. But not everyone has a softball glove, especially if you have only ever played baseball. Both gloves look and feel the same, with maybe some difference in size or design. Can you use a baseball glove for softball?

Baseball gloves can be used for softball. Although a baseball glove is smaller than a softball glove, it can still be used.

When I joined a softball team when my baseball playing days were over, I didn’t want to purchase a softball glove. Instead, I used my baseball glove, which felt very small once I put a softball in it.

A baseball glove is smaller than a softball glove because a baseball is more minor than a softball. However, you can still use a baseball glove for softball. I had a lot of fun playing with my baseball glove in the infield because it was so quick to get the softball out of a small glove and fire it across the infield, especially when you’re used to a baseball.

The difficulty of using a baseball glove for softball would be using a smaller baseball glove that an infielder would use but in the outfield for softball. That would be like catching a softball barehanded with how big the ball feels inside a small glove. If you use a baseball outfielders glove, typically 12.5 – 13 inches, you would have no problem using it for softball.

The average size of a softball glove is already in this range, and usually more. So yes, you can use a baseball glove for softball, but make sure you try it first before jumping right in.

Are baseball and softball gloves the same?

Baseball and softball gloves look and feel nearly the same. The only differences are usually, the softball glove starts at a longer length, whereas a baseball glove is smaller.

For example, baseball gloves for infielders are generally these sizes below.

Baseball Glove Sizes:

• 11.5 to 12 inches and 12.25 to 13.5 inches for the outfield.

Softball Glove Sizes:

• In contrast, a softball glove usually is 12 – 12.75 inches for the infield and 13 – 14 inches for the outfield.

See below for a quick comparison of baseball vs. softball gloves for infield and outfield.

Example Softball and Baseball Gloves

baseball infield

softball glove for infield

baseball glove outfield

Outfield baseball glove

As you can see, there’s no difference. However, without putting the glove on, it’s difficult to tell if it’s a baseball or softball glove. That’s because they are one and the same, with the only difference being size.

If you’re casually playing softball, like just for fun, you probably don’t need to purchase a softball glove. Especially if you already have a big enough baseball glove, it’s not worth it to go out and purchase a softball glove.

However, if you are looking to play in a league competitively and only have a baseball glove, it might be worth adding a softball glove to your bag.

Which softball glove brand should I buy?

Both Wilson and Rawlings offer great options for both baseball and softball gloves, and both have easy filters on their website for both size and sport (baseball or fastpitch softball).

If you already have a large outfield baseball glove, you probably don’t need to go out and get a softball glove.

Do I need a different glove for softball?

Being that baseball gloves and softball gloves are the same, and the only difference is the size of the glove, you most likely do not need a different glove for softball.

However, suppose you only have small baseball gloves, such as an infield baseball glove in the range of 11.5 to 12 inches. You might want to consider adding one of the best softball gloves above 12 inches, especially if you will be playing the outfield in softball. If you only have a catcher glove, you should get either a large baseball glove over 12 inches or a softball glove over 12 inches.

The safest thing would be to get a baseball outfielders glove and use it for softball if you plan on playing both sports.

First base gloves are already prominent in baseball to help the first baseman scoop balls in the dirt, reach out on close plays, or reach up on high throws. If you have a first base glove, you can use it for softball.

Overall, if you have a large enough baseball glove, somewhere over 12 inches, it’s OK to use for softball.

Is there a difference between softball and baseball catchers’ mitts?

There is a big difference between baseball versus softball gloves. This is the position where the gloves are much different in size and feel. A baseball catcher’s glove is relatively small, with a pocket barely over the size of a baseball. A lot of that has to do with the catcher being able to grab the ball quickly with their throwing hand to throw the ball quickly if a runner is trying to steal.

The catcher’s glove looks very similar to a baseball first base glove in softball.

 

The softball catcher’s glove and baseball first base glove are almost identical. Using a baseball first base glove would be very versatile in softball as you can use it at first base, catcher, and outfield. The big difference between the baseball catchers’ gloves and the softball catchers’ gloves is the size. A softball catcher’s glove has a large pocket to help the catcher catch a much larger ball.

Steals are also less common in softball than in baseball due to short base paths and different rules for leading off the base.

Can a softball bat be used for baseball?

A baseball and softball bat almost looks the same, yet softball bats are longer and thinner or not as large of a circumference. On the other hand, a baseball bat is shorter in length and has a slightly large barrel circumference.

Baseball and softball bats are made specifically for each sport or each league they are used in. Such as, a fast pitch softball bat is different than a slow pitch softball bat, and a baseball bat at any level is other than any softball bat at any level.

You should not use a baseball bat for softball and also should not use a softball bat for baseball. They are crafted differently for contact with a baseball or contact with a softball. Using a softball bat in baseball, whether a fast-pitch softball bat or a slow-pitch softball bat, is at significant risk of breaking or shattering if used in baseball.

A baseball is much more complicated than a softball, especially at contact with the bat. A softball bat is not made to handle the speed and weight. On the flip side, a baseball bat is built to be more durable to handle the speed and weight of a baseball but still should not be used for softball.

A baseball bat probably won’t break when it comes in contact with a softball, but it’s also not legal in softball rules to use one.

Is it safe to use a baseball bat in softball or a softball bat in baseball?

Using a baseball bat in softball is dangerous to the defense and pitcher because it has a little more pop and durability than a softball bat. A softball hit off a baseball bat will produce more exit velocity. That, combined with the fielders in softball being closer to the batter, greatly increases the chances of injury.

If you’ve ever played softball, you know how close third base and pitcher feel to the batter. Imagine the ball coming off the bat at a much higher speed if a baseball bat is used…very dangerous. It is not safe to use a baseball bat in softball or a softball bat in baseball.

Please do not use a baseball bat in softball because it puts players at risk of injury, and do not use a softball bat in baseball because the softball bat has a great chance of breaking.

Summary

We’ve compared several types of baseball gloves and softball gloves and have concluded that you can use a baseball glove for softball. Most baseball gloves are designed precisely like softball gloves in terms of size and durability.

The number one thing to look for when deciding on whether to use a baseball glove for softball is the size. If it’s a larger glove, one normally used in the outfield for baseball or first base, it’s safe to use it in softball. On the other hand, if the glove is on the smaller end, such as an infielder’s glove under 12 inches, you should consider getting an oversized glove for softball or only use the glove in the infield for softball.

The pocket of the catcher’s glove is too small for a softball. A first base glove for baseball would be a great option in softball as it can be used well at multiple positions. Overall, the best glove to use for softball if you only have a baseball glove is a baseball outfielders glove, which is 12 inches or above. That size of a glove would be perfect for softball as well as for baseball players.

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