Buying a softball glove for your daughter is more confusing than it should be. Baseball gloves don’t quite work. Slowpitch gloves definitely don’t work. Sizes change by position. And catcher’s mitts are measured in a completely different unit than every other glove, which nobody explains before you start shopping.
Good news: fastpitch glove sizing is actually more consistent across leagues than baseball. There’s no USSSA vs. USA certification drama here — the glove you buy for rec league works in travel ball, USA Softball tournaments, high school, and college. The variables are age and position, and we’ve got both covered in the chart below.
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Why fastpitch gloves aren't just baseball gloves
The softball itself is the reason. Fastpitch softballs are 12 inches in circumference — roughly 20% larger than a baseball. That means gloves need deeper pockets and wider patterns to secure the ball on the catch. A standard baseball glove will technically work at a youth level, but the ball will pop out more often and transfers will be slower.
Beyond pocket size, fastpitch gloves are usually built with smaller wrist openings and tighter finger stalls because most fastpitch players are female and glove manufacturers have started designing specifically for smaller hands. Rawlings, Wilson, Easton, and Mizuno all make fastpitch-specific glove lines now. The per-inch price is usually the same as baseball — you're not paying extra for the "softball" label.
Sizing by age (when position doesn't matter yet)
For players under 10, don't overthink position. Most 6U and 8U softball players don't have a set position — they rotate through the field, and buying a position-specific glove is a waste. A utility glove in the right age-based size will serve them fine:
- Ages 5–6 (Tee Ball / 6U): 9"–10" glove
- Ages 7–8 (8U Fastpitch): 10"–10.5"
- Ages 9–10 (10U Fastpitch): 10.5"–11.5"
At this age, focus on lightweight, flexible gloves that your player can close with one hand. A rigid, stiff premium glove is actively counterproductive for a 7-year-old who doesn't have the hand strength to break it in. Save the $200 gloves for when she's 12.
Sizing by position (once she's picked one)
Around 11 or 12 years old, most fastpitch players settle into a primary position. That's when position-specific glove design starts to matter. The chart above covers all the combinations, but here's the reasoning behind each:
Infield (middle infielders, third base): Smaller gloves, shallower pockets. The goal is fast transfers on ground balls and double plays — the ball needs to come out of the glove quickly, not settle into a deep pocket. Common webbing: I-web, H-web, or modified trap. Size range: 11.25"–12.25" depending on age and level.
Outfield: Larger gloves, deeper pockets. You're making longer reaches on fly balls and running catches, so you want maximum surface area and a pocket that can secure a ball you barely got to. Common webbing: H-web, trapeze, or basket. Size range: 12.25"–13".
Pitcher: Medium-sized gloves with a closed pocket. The closed web lets the pitcher hide her grip from the batter before the pitch. Using an open-web glove as a pitcher gives batters a chance to read grip and anticipate pitch type. Size range: 11.5"–12.5".
First Base: First base mitts are their own category — they're longer and shallower than standard gloves, with a scoop shape designed for catching off-target throws and picking balls out of the dirt. A player who rotates to first base occasionally can use her regular infield glove, but dedicated first basemen should have a proper first base mitt. Size range: 12.5"–13".
Catcher: Catcher's mitts are measured in circumference (the distance all the way around the mitt), not the standard top-to-bottom length. That's why a catcher's mitt is a "32-inch" glove instead of a "13-inch" glove. Youth softball catcher's mitts typically run 31", adult size is 32.5" and up. The extra padding is thick enough that a 32" and 34" mitt can feel similar in actual pocket size. For a deeper dive into official equipment standards, USA Softball publishes the governing specifications that most leagues follow.
How to know if a glove actually fits
Age and position charts give you a starting point, but trying the glove on matters more than any chart. Three tests:
The close test. Have your daughter put on the glove and squeeze it shut using one hand. If she can close it all the way with her own hand strength, the glove is manageable. If she can't close it without her other hand helping, it's either too stiff (breaking-in issue) or too big (sizing issue). A new glove needs some break-in time, but if she literally cannot close it after 20 minutes of squeezing, pick a smaller size.
The web test. Hold the glove by the heel and look at the webbing. The fingers should point straight up, not flop backward. If the fingers collapse under the weight of the pocket, the glove is too big for her hand to support.
The feel test. She puts the glove on, you toss her a softball from 10 feet away, she catches it. Ask her how it feels. Kids are honest — if it feels clumsy or awkward, it probably is. If it feels comfortable and she naturally moves to catch, it fits.
Breaking in a new glove (don't skip this)
A new glove out of the box is stiff. If your daughter tries to use it in her first game straight off the shelf, she'll miss catches she'd normally make. Break-in takes about 2–4 weeks of regular use. Methods that actually work:
- Play catch daily. This is the best method. 50 catches per day for two weeks will break in most gloves.
- Glove oil or conditioner. A small amount on the palm and webbing — not soaked. Too much oil makes the leather heavy and weak.
- A ball and rubber bands. Place a softball in the pocket, wrap the glove tightly with rubber bands, leave overnight. Shapes the pocket around the ball.
Skip these methods: microwaving (destroys the leather), running it over with a car (a myth that actually damages the glove), and "shaving cream treatments" (dries out the leather long-term). For more detailed glove care and break-in information, Rawlings publishes a comprehensive care guide that covers conditioning, storage, and common mistakes.
When to upgrade
Signs your daughter has outgrown her glove:
- Fingers poking past the end of the finger stalls
- Wrist opening too tight — she has to force her hand in
- Visibly undersized for her hand in field photos
- She's moved up to an age division where the ball is bigger (10U uses an 11" ball; 12U and up uses a 12" ball — a glove from the smaller-ball years may be too small for the bigger ball)
Youth softball gloves typically need to be replaced every 1–2 seasons through ages 7–12. After 13, players grow into their position-specific adult-sized glove and that glove can often last 4–6 years with proper care.
What to spend
Entry-level fastpitch gloves: $40–80. Fine for rec league through 10U. Don't spend more than this for a player still rotating positions.
Mid-tier gloves: $100–200. Real leather, proper break-in potential, position-specific design. This is the right range for 12U through high school JV for most families.
Premium gloves: $250–400+. Pro-grade leather (Heart of the Hide, A2000, Kip), customizable webbing and color options. Worth it for varsity starters, travel ball regulars, and college-bound players. Overkill for a 10-year-old who will outgrow it in 18 months.
The best glove is the one that fits your daughter's hand, position, and play level — not the most expensive one on the shelf. Get the size right first, and the price will sort itself out.
— Drew, Legion Report