FAQ

Different fielding positions call for different “catching requirements,” and thus need to be broken in accordingly.

Before I continue further here are two things:

1 In a perfect world, all balls would land in the pocket (not the web) of the glove.
2 The number one rule on defense is: catch the ball. No matter how it is done, catch the ball and get the out.

That being said, each position needs their gloves/mitts to perform a certain way in order to make their jobs as easy as possible.

Middle Infielders

These should be the shortest gloves on the field (second baseman’s glove is a touch shorter than a short stop). They should also have the shallowest pocket, because they need to get the ball out of the glove as fast as possible when turning double plays, making relay throws, etc. It’s vital that all middle infielder’s avoid catching the ball in the web of their glove.

Secondly, middle infielders should avoid bending the fingers of the glove in order to create a rounded shape. This was a fad a few years ago, but it didn’t allow the fingers of the glove to rest flat on the ground when catching grounders. When you tighten the laces coming out of the pinkie finger of the glove, the glove will start to curve in at the fingers.

Third Basemen

The requirements for middle infielders pretty much apply for third basemen, with two exceptions. First, the glove will be a longer (a half inch to inch) because third basemen have to “snatch” line drives and hard hit ground balls when they play in or even with the bag. This is also the reason why it’s O.K. to have a deeper pocket. Because they have more time to throw and they can afford a split second to “look” for the ball.

Outfielders

These should be the longest gloves on the field, for the simple reason: outfielders have the most ground to defend and fences to reach over, so every inch of glove benefits. An outfielders’ glove will have a deeper pocket in order to suck balls into their glove with less effort. The thumb and the pinkie on the glove need to stay as straight as possible so they are not broken in at all through this process. This helps keep the glove long and helps lock in the ball upon impact.

Catchers and First Basemen

These two are paired together because they both require mitts, and the first baseman is often called the “Catcher of the Infield.” They take the most throws during a game and get broken in very quickly during practice.
We also suggest a unique finger position in the glove. The index “finger sheath” is empty, and all fingers will move over one spot. This means the ring and pinkie finger will split a sleeve. And what is the reasoning behind this? This move will save the index finger of the catcher, and develop a larger pocket for first basemen. We make these two pockets as deep as possible when breaking in for obvious reasons.

Pitchers

There was a brief period when pitchers wanted their gloves to look like a middle infielders glove. I did not understood this one for two different reasons:
1 Pitchers need room in their glove to grip what pitch they’re throwing and hide it from everyone else.
2 Defense! The pitcher is the closest defensive player to the player with the bat. He need as much “protection” as they can get.
That being said, I think an outfielders’ glove might be a bit too big. I would pick a “larger” third baseman’s glove and have that deep pocket also.

How do I break in a glove?