I know that it’s stating the obvious but before you think about which make or model of baseball glove to purchase the first consideration must be the age of the player and how long you expect to get out of the glove. There isn’t a lot of point in splashing out a lot of money on the best youth baseball glove if it is only going to last a few months before being outgrown.
Even beyond the size there are plenty of choices out there. We’ve reviewed the best youth baseball gloves to give you a list of the top contenders. Below we’ll also talk through what else to consider as you look for the best glove for your little slugger.
Top 10 Youth Baseball Gloves Overview
| Picture | Name | Leather Type | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Mizuno GPP1150Y1 Youth Prospect Ball Glove | Full grain pigskin leather | $$ | 4.9 |
 | 2. Rawlings Renegade Series 14-inch Softball Youth Baseball Glove (R140R) | Full grain leather | $$ | 4.8 |
 | 3. Easton ZFX 901 Z-Flex Series Ball Glove (9-Inch) | Ultra-soft leather | $ | 4.6 |
 | 4. Wilson A500 Game Soft Youth Baseball Glove | Top grain leather | $$$$ | 4.6 |
 | 5. Rawlings Players Series 9-inch Youth Baseball Glove (PL90MB) | Composite/ Leather | $ | 4.5 |
 | 6. Akadema AGC98 Prodigy Series Glove | Top grain leather | $$$ | 4.5 |
 | 7. Louisville Slugger Genesis 10.5-Inch Brown/Black Ball Glove | Top grain buffalo leather | $$ | 4.5 |
 | 8. Spalding Robinson Cano Youth Mesh I-Web Fielding Glove | Premium steer hide leather | $$ | 4.5 |
 | 9. Rawlings Players Series 9-inch Youth Baseball Glove (PL90PB) | Full grain leather | $ | 4.4 |
 | 10. Rawlings Playmaker Series Glove,Black | Full grain leather | $$$ | 4.3 |
Factors to Consider
Size
As we already said, buying a glove that is too big in order to get years of wear out of it is not a good idea as it should fit snugly. However neither is purchasing a tight-fitting glove that will be outgrown in a matter of months. An ill-fitting glove makes it more difficult to catch the ball and feels uncomfortable. Not only will this affect your child’s catching but it could also impact their confidence.
Type
A generic glove is suitable for most players playing baseball at the lower or beginner levels. At higher levels there can be differences between the glove required if playing first base or catching.
Material
There are cheaper baseball gloves on the market made from plastic but these should be avoided. Most gloves, both standard and more expensive, are made from leather which lasts longer and is more comfortable than plastic. Leather gloves come in three grades: top, premium and full-grain. Which you choose depends on personal taste and the price you are willing to pay. Top grain is the best and, as you would expect, usually the most expensive. Any leather glove though is always a better choice than cheaper alternatives.
Pocket Size
The size of the pocket varies from position to position. Pocket size is measured as the depth and width of space inside the glove to catch and hold the ball. An infielder’s glove has a shallow pocket so the ball can be easily removed and thrown. Outfielder gloves usually have long, deep pockets to assist in catching and holding.
Top 3 Best Youth Baseball Glove Reviews
1. Mizuno GPP1150Y1
With youth baseball some years in my past, I now focus on coaching my kids to be their best. That starts with picking the best youth baseball glove. There are a number of top quality baseball gloves for younger players on the market today. My personal preference, and my sons’, is the GPP1150Y1 from the Mizuno Youth Prospect range.
Constructed in the classic manner, the GPP1150Y1 looks and feels the way a “real” glove should and is built to last. Made from full grain pigskin leather, the glove feels soft from the first day and can be broken-in in no time at all. This glove is perfect for both complete beginners and for those with a little more experience and is an excellent training glove.
Despite its classic look and feel, the GPP1150Y1 is a thoroughly modern baseball glove with some nice features that, sadly, weren’t around in my day. Mizuno’s Powerclose technology situates small hinges inside the glove making it easier to catch the baseball and hold it firmly. Another feature is the ParaShock Palm Padding which reduces shock on the hands and the stinging experienced when catching a particularly fast ball to almost negligible levels. An adjustable wrist strap means the glove can be tightened or loosened to personal requirements. This guarantees a comfortable fit while also extending the lifespan of the glove.
All in all, an excellent choice for beginners and novices the Mizuno GPP1150Y1 comes in ahead of the competition as the best youth baseball glove currently available.
2. Rawlings Renegade Series
Made from full grain leather, the Rawlings Renegade series R140R is another excellent glove for youth players. I really like the fact that the R140R is pretty much broken-in straight from the box. It is oil-tanned and, after just a day or two’s usage, feels like an older and well-used glove.
The Basket Web on the glove gives great grip on the ball whether catching or throwing. The well-padded back lining on the palm and finger not only provide great protection from even the hardest driven balls but is also extremely comfortable. An adjustable strap allows you to tighten or loosen the glove according to your requirements. It’s a simple feature but it’s not always found on even some top of the range baseball gloves.
The full grain all-leather shell makes the R140R not only hard-wearing, durable and built to last but also comfortable. There isn’t much to choose between the Mizuno GPP1150Y1 and the Rawlings R140R. Either would be a great choice, but my very marginal second spot goes to the R140R.
3. Easton ZFX 901 Z-Flex Serie
Third on my list is the Easton ZFX 901. It might be the best choice for small children just learning the game. They’re called Z-Flex gloves and they’re made from ultra-soft leather featuring special elasticized strips down both sides of the palm. These give added power to small hands when closing the glove. Another great feature is the special Grab-All design which firmly grips the ball to cut down on dropped and missed catches. The ZFX 901 also has a Velcro wrist strap which is adjustable to fit any players hand and ensures a tight but comfortable fit.
Soft, supple and made with good quality leather, the ZFX 901 is definitely near the top of the list if you are looking for a great starter glove for your budding baseball stars of the future.
