This article explores the author's personal journey with baseball gloves, contrasting a newly purchased Rawlings Player Preferred 14-inch glove with a cherished, 30-year-old glove. The author, a lifelong baseball enthusiast, details their preference for larger gloves, defying modern recommendations that often suggest smaller sizes. This preference is rooted in years of experience playing various positions and a comfort level associated with larger, more spacious gloves. The article delves into the process of breaking in a new glove, emphasizing the importance of a properly formed pocket for optimal performance.The comparison between the new Rawlings glove and the author's well-worn, older glove highlights the consistency of their glove size preference. While acknowledging the common advice advocating for smaller gloves, the author asserts the primacy of personal comfort and experience in selecting the right glove. The piece offers insights into glove sizing, emphasizing the importance of finding a glove that feels right, regardless of popular trends or professional player endorsements.
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My New Rawlings 14-Inch Glove
I recently purchased a Rawlings Player Preferred 14-inch baseball glove. Growing up in the Midwest, baseball has always been a passion of mine. This new glove is a significant purchase, as it's my first in many years.
My decision to buy this particular glove came after trying on several others at a sporting goods store. I prefer a glove with open webbing for better visibility of the ball. This Rawlings glove felt the most comfortable and suited my preference for a larger glove.
The 14-inch size is larger than what many modern guides recommend, but I've always preferred bigger gloves. I'll detail my rationale for glove sizing later in the article.
Comparing Old and New: A 30-Year-Old Glove
For comparison, I also showed my old glove, which is over 30 years old! It's a testament to its durability that it lasted so long, though it's now quite stiff and unusable.
I found this glove as a kid—a discarded one left on a bus! It's been a loyal companion throughout my youth and beyond, even though I never knew its exact size (though it said 'softball' size).
This old glove is a reminder of my long baseball history and my enduring preference for large gloves. It's remarkably well-broken in, allowing for comfortable use in any fielding position.
Glove Sizing and Preferences
Modern baseball videos often suggest smaller gloves (11.5 to 13 inches), citing examples like Derek Jeter's preference for a smaller glove. However, my experience and preference strongly favor a larger glove.
I've always used larger gloves, and this preference stems from both personal comfort and playing various positions (infield and outfield). My larger hands also contribute to this preference.
The open webbing on my new glove provides good visibility of the ball, which I find essential. It’s a feature I look for, unlike the closed basket web of other gloves.
Breaking in the New Glove
Breaking in my new glove is a process. I've been working on it by wearing it around the house to soften the leather and shape the pocket.
The most challenging area to break in is the area around the fingers where the glove closes. I want it to close smoothly and lay flat for optimal catching.
A properly broken-in glove is crucial for avoiding dropped balls and feeling confident on the field. A stiff, new glove makes catching difficult and will lead to poor performance and missed catches
Glove Fit and Conclusion
I use a batting glove as a sizing tool. If I can comfortably put a batting glove inside the baseball glove, it's a good fit. Even with a large glove, my wrist remains free, allowing for flexibility in all positions.
My 14-inch glove is a good fit for my preference. The comparison with my old glove highlighted how consistent my glove size has been over the years.
While modern recommendations favor smaller gloves, personal comfort and experience dictate the best choice. If a larger glove works best for you, don’t hesitate to use it!