As a baseball player, specifically a hitter, you have to pay a lot of attention to the gloves you wear before picking up the bat and going for a swing. The batting gloves are a crucial aspect of baseball equipment and can directly impact a player's performance. It's why you should choose only the best baseball batting gloves so that you can give your best to the game.
Majority of players prefer to wear baseball gloves while others sometimes skip on them. Even though it may be a personal choice, the use of batting gloves for baseball is highly recommended. By putting them on, you can ensure peace of mind as your hands will be safe from any injuries from the ball and focus on the movement of your bat.
Now, the batting gloves are an essential for hitters so it is important that they are of the highest quality. In this guide, you can find out everything about batting gloves, from finding the right one to our top picks.
Why Do Batters Wear Batting Gloves?
This has been a hotly debated issue in baseball over the years. While a majority of the players choose to wear batting gloves for their many advantages, there are players who have preferred to go with them. If you look back in history, you will find that Baseball legend Babe Ruth rarely went on the field with batting gloves while Jorge Posada never wore them.
Despite those differences, it is common practice to use batting gloves and rightly so.
There are quite a few reasons why the gloves are a necessary piece of sportswear found in many of the pros' baseball bags.
Strong Grip
Your grip on the bat determines how well you can play offense and hit the home run. With batting gloves, you can have complete control on your swing and avoid problems such as slippage or reduced friction.
The loss of grip can be very costly to the game when you are facing the pitcher. Batting gloves allow you to establish a strong hold and go for the hit without worrying about sweat or humidity affecting your performance.
Protection
While it may come off as something quite obvious, many people can still forget about it. As a batter or hitter, your hand is one of the most important part of your body that you depend upon. If left exposed, you could seriously injure it and be left out of many crucial games. Batting gloves are designed to prevent such a situation and offer round the clock protection to your hands.
On the field, the speeding ball coming towards you might be the greatest threat to your hands but you should also think about blisters or bruises that come from holding the bat for a long time.
The gloves offer a protective layer between your hand and the bat. So when they come into contact, there are no sudden cuts or tears to the skin which could be a source of pain during the game.
Comfort
Battings gloves can be a source of comfort for a lot of players. There are different features that you can find in some of the best baseball batting gloves such as palm padding or curved fingers which help keep the hands relaxed and comfortable.
In cold and harsh weather conditions, the gloves keep your hands warm and dry. This increases the ease of movement and can allow you to adjust your swing quickly according to the pace and direction of the ball.
Reduced Vibration
One of the top most reasons that batters choose to wear gloves is that they decrease the vibration of the bat. When the bat collides with the ball and misses the sweet spot, the impact is usually a very strong stinging that is felt up through the arm. Sometimes, it can cause your hand to lose control of the bat. By wearing batting gloves, you can reduce the chances of such errors occurring on the field.
They are designed to provide maximum shock absorption during the swing which reduces the vibrations and helps them maintain a firm grip on the bat.
For young players and kids, this is very important as they sometimes play with aluminum bats.
Sizing and Fitting Guide for Baseball Batting Gloves
These batting gloves come in a variety of sizes for adults and youngsters. In order to find the right one, you need a good understanding of the fitting and measurements. This guide can help you figure it out in the easiest way possible.
How to Measure the Gloves
There are a few simple steps that you can follow to get the right size and fit of batting gloves.
Firstly, open your dominant hand and turn your palm upwards. Once that is facing your way, straighten out your fingers and hold them together in a steady position.
Then, take a rule or tape and begin measuring your hand from the bottom of the palm to the end of the middle finger.
For adults, the average size can range from 6 to 8 inches. In youths, this will measure up to a medium to large fit.
If you still find yourself a bit confused, try and check the size charts before making a purchase. Those can make it easier to look for batting gloves that are a snug fit and don't make your hand slip away during a crucial play in the game.
You can also try them on to ensure that the fit is ideal for your hand. Bend both hands and move them around to check the flexibility of the batting gloves.
The best ones are a comfortable fit from the beginning and do not restrict your movement at all.
How to Choose the Right Baseball Batting Gloves
When you are looking for baseball batting gloves for adults or youngsters, there are a number of things to consider. These are some of the factors that you should keep in mind.
Materials
It can be quite confusing to choose the best bat gloves with the right materials. You want to make sure that they are high quality and provide protection against injuries as well.
There are mostly two types of materials that the best batting gloves are made of, synthetic and leather.
They both have their own advantages and you can pick any depending on your preference.
Leather
The leather batting gloves are usually spacious and help keep the hands dry as well as soft.
Synthetic
Synthetic ones offer a tighter fit and are quite stretchable too. There are some players who find this material more comfortable than leather for batting gloves.
Hybrid
You will also come across baseball batter gloves that feature a combination of leather and synthetic materials.
They have the best qualities of both and are also used by a lot of professionals in the major league. In these gloves, there is a leather palm and the back of the hand is commonly made of synthetic.
Texture or Design of the Palm
Another very important factor to take into account when choosing a baseball batting glove is the texture of its palm. This is slightly different from the material and has more to do with its designing.
The palm is usually where you grip your bat handle and its texture can make a huge difference on your swing. Most players prefer to go with a textured palm on their gloves which basically means that there are tiny holes or bumps in it. This allows more friction between the bat and hand.
While palms that are embossed with holes are a popular choice among batters, you also have the option of going the other way. There are many best baseball batting gloves which come with a smooth palm texture.
This may result in less friction but can add to their comfort level. If you have a bat that already comes with a grip, these gloves may be ideal for you.
Comfort
This is quite obvious. You don't want to end up with batting gloves that are too tight or difficult to break into. The right batting glove will be a snug fit for both the hands and highly comfortable as well.
As a batter, you have to choose gloves that allow you to move the fingers freely without compromising the grip on the bat handle.
When you have taken the position at-bat, you want your batting gloves to sit well on your hands and absorb the vibrations as well.
Look for gloves that have thick padding and are made from high quality leather or synthetic materials.
Style of Wrist
The wrist style of the batting gloves determines the way they fit on to the hand and close around the hands. You can find quite a lot of different styles on the best batting gloves available in the market.
There are Velcro wrist straps, buckles and compression garters that you can choose as your perfect fit.
Straps
If you want to opt for something reliable and easy to use, then the wrist strap is ideal. It is commonly found in a lot of batting gloves and can be adjusted very quickly.
The gloves with straps have various levels of tightness that players can set according to their preference and the size of the glove.
Compression Garters
Compression garters are also quite comfortable and can fit around the wrist well.
The compression impacts the support of these batting gloves. So your choice depends on how much pressure do you want around your wrist. There are a few players that like to tape their wrists for additional support and these compression garters have a similar affect to that.
Buckles
Lastly, there are the batting gloves which come with buckles. These are rarely seen on the field due to their lack of flexibility and motion. It is also challenging to put them on without getting help from another player or coaching staff.
You can still pick out a pair of batting gloves with buckles for their appearance and rugged feel.
Long-Lasting
The durability of the batting gloves is one of the most critical factors that you should pay attention to when making your choice. Most high quality gloves for batters can last through a season or two without any wear and tear.
Leather is considered a highly durable material for gloves and can last for a long time. While purely synthetic batting gloves rarely have any complaints of durability, you may still need to change them in a short span of time as they are slightly more prone to damage.
Breathability
When it comes to choosing the best pair of batting gloves, you need to consider their breathability. There are a number of gloves that you can find which come with a moisture-wicking layer inside or padding that helps maintain or regulate the temperature inside.
In very warm weather conditions, your hand can end sweaty or sticky and cause the glove to get damp. This could result in the bat slipping away and reduce your chances of hitting a home run.
By selecting batting gloves that are breathable, you can avoid such situations and ensure that your hands remain dry at all times.
Additional Features
It is always a good idea to have a few additional features in your batting gloves. Many of the best batting gloves that you will find are quite innovative in design. There are some gloves that come with a special performance grip or tack that allows players to hold the bat firmly and swing as hard as they want.
This feature is created by putting a sticky material on the key areas of the glove such as the palm and tips of the fingers.
Other than that, a number of batting gloves also include an insulated lining that retains the heat and allows increased mobility during the cold.
You can also choose batting gloves that feature a pre-curved finger design or pattern. This can make it easier for players to slide their hands in and out easily, and adjust the gloves according to their form.
The 10 Best Baseball Batting Gloves
The choice of the best baseball batting gloves can be a bit challenging. There are so many great options available that it could be difficult to pick one that has everything that you want.
To make it easier for you, here are the top ten gloves for batting that can help you leave a mark on the field and get ahead of the competition.
1. Franklin Sports CFX Pro Baseball Batting Gloves
It should come as no surprise that the CFX Pro gloves by Franklin Sports are at the top of this list. They are considered a favorite of several professional players in the MLB and come in various sizes for adults and youngsters.
If you are specifically looking for the best youth batting gloves for your kid or teenager, you can definitely consider these as a top choice.
The gloves are designed for a strong grip on the bat handle and can improve your performance greatly.
They are made from the most premium quality of sheepskin leather and have a curved design to fit around the fingers with ease.
The material also has the pittards digital feature which adds to its natural feel.
With the CFX Pro, you can maintain a powerful grip for as long as you are batting and keep your hands well-protected against injuries as well.
These batting gloves are highly durable and can last you for two to three years easily.
The gloves are quite affordable and include useful features like the floating thumb technology and adjustable wrist strap.
2. Rawlings Workhorse Batting Gloves
When it comes to fitting and hold on the wrist, these batting gloves rank very highly. The workhorse are found in adult sizes and include a compression garter or strap. This allows increased support on the wrist.
If you choose to invest in this pair of batting gloves, you will gain quite an advantage on the field. They are known for providing a firm grip and have a leather palm with a synthetic back for flexibility.
The leather has been treated with Oiltac which makes it sticky and can help players swing the bat freely.
Most players prefer a lightweight batting glove as they don't want something heavy on their hand. This one really makes for the perfect fit.
It fits snugly without adding any pressure on the wrist and allows movement or flexing of the fingers comfortably.
3. Franklin Sports Neo Classic II Batting Gloves
The is a renowned name in the world of sportswear and is a popular choice for baseball player. There are many players who prefer to pick out their equipment and accessories such as batting gloves from Franklin Sports. The Neo Classic Series II is one such batting glove that proves why the company is so coveted by adult and youth baseball players everywhere.
You will find that these batting gloves are a lot similar to the CFX Pro in appearance and design. For some players, the Neo Classic may be the best batting gloves and it could be a smart choice.
The batting glove comes with a leather palm and floating thumb technology as well. Its back is made of a very flexible synthetic material that makes it highly breathable and adjustable.
As it is with most gloves by Franklin Sports, this one also features pittards digital sheepskin leather and is quite smooth and soft on the skin.
The Neo Classic II really has all the qualities of a great batting glove and could be the best choice for you.
4. Marucci Signature Batting Gloves
This mysterious batting glove can be a good choice for adults and young players. It has a textured sheepskin leather palm with small holes which allows more friction and a better grip on the bat.
It features a neoprene wrist strap that can provide a comfortable fit and quick closure. The Marucci Signature certainly ranks among the best batting gloves due to its quality and structure.
They are designed with Lycra which can help keep them stretchable for a long time.
The breaks in between the fingers make sure that the gloves are a perfect fit in any size.
With these batting gloves, you don't have to worry about damage or frequent changes as they are very durable and can last for more than a season.
While they may be on slightly more expensive than others on the list, you can expect a great value for money with this choice.
5. EvoShield EvoCharge Batting Gloves
These are the one of the best batting gloves in baseball for protection. You can never really go wrong this choice of batting glove. Each batting glove comes with a sheepskin leather palm which provides improved control of the swing and bat.
Since the gloves are available in for every size, they also rank very highly among the best youth batting gloves.
The EvoCharge are one of the rare batting gloves that have gel-to-shell technology. It allows the gloves to become hard and adapt to the formation of the hand. This increases protection and prevents harm from a speeding ball or weather conditions.
While the glove transforms from soft to tight, it still remains highly flexible.
6. Huarache Elite Batting Glove for Baseball from Nike
In the world of sportswear, the name Nike means quality and comfort. When it comes to baseball, the brand produces some of the finest quality gear for improved performance and mobility. The Huarache Elite batting gloves are no exception.
These are the coolest batting gloves that you will come across. They feature a leather palm of sheepskin leather which is of the highest quality. It is slightly more durable than goatskin leather that is also used commonly in batting gloves.
While this batting glove may be quite costly, it is certainly worth the investment.
Being one of the best batting gloves, they have some great features which make them stand out in the market.
The gloves come with a mesh layer which increases breathability and have a very stabilizing exterior that ensures that there is no bunching.
7. Under Armour Yard Batting Gloves
The choice of the right batting glove for baseball can leave a lot of people confused. Under Armour's Yard batting gloves might be able to solve that problem easily. They are one of the best batting gloves that you may find and are available in every size from small to extra large.
They are designed to be very lightweight and have a thin layer at the back to allow quick movement of the fingers and hands.
With an elastic band and leather palm, the batting gloves offer a lot of comfort and protection against blisters.
8. DeMarini Phantom Batting Gloves
DeMarini is a name that has dominated the sporting industry for quite a long time. Their products are known to be high quality and very durable. The Phantom batting gloves are another addition to their growing list of premium sportswear.
They are quite cool batting gloves that look quite appealing with their mesh back and a wide wrist strap.
It has a smooth palm texture and can feel quite comfortable when in contact with the bat.
Given the many qualities of these best batting gloves, the reasonable price is quite a surprise. They are one of the more affordable choices that you can make.
9. Franklin Sports Cold Weather Pro Batting Glove
As it is obvious by the name, these batting gloves are created to protect the hands in the extreme winters.
They are palm padded batting gloves which have an insulated layer of neoprene at the back of the hand for retaining heat.
The leather palm allows a firm grip during the cold weather and gives you complete control of the game.
These batting gloves are certainly among the best that you would find. While there is no floating thumb technology in this batting glove by Franklin Sports, you can still enjoy the flexibility.
The batting gloves come with a QUAD-Flex feature which keeps them smooth and functional for hours.
10. Easton Walk-Off Batting Gloves
The Easton Walk-Off are the only batting gloves on the list that have a palm of goatskin leather. With the back made of Lycra and a curved wrist strap, these batting gloves can be a good choice for you.
They are certainly one of the best batting gloves to feature goatskin leather. The gloves come with a monogrammed 'E' that adds to their appeal.
If you are looking for an affordable and cool baseball batting gloves, then you can choose these without a second thought.
Tips for Maintaining Batting Gloves
Once you have made a considerable investment in batting gloves, you need to make sure that they are well-maintained and cared for.
If you neglect your batting gloves in baseball, they might lose their useful features in a short time and could cost you more money to replace.
To make sure that this doesn't happen, you can follow some of the maintenance tips here.
Clean Regularly
One of the most important aspects of caring for batting gloves is their cleaning. There are quite a lot of players who make the mistake of letting their batting glove get dirty over time before washing it.
This can be damaging to the material of the batting gloves and is very unhygienic as well. It could result in skin problems such as infections or rashes too. The best way to avoid this and maintain your batting gloves is to clean them regularly and after each game.
By doing so, you can take out all the dirt and prevent bad odor from sweat too.
Cleaning the batting gloves is quite easy and simple. Before you begin washing with soap and water, take a brush that cleans leather and remove the dirt that may have settled into the seams or corners.
Keep in mind that you have to be slow and gentle while doing this as otherwise you end up damaging the exterior of the batting gloves.
Once you are done cleaning the dirt from the outside, you can make a mixture of soap and water, and use it to wipe off any stains or marks.
This liquid should not be put on the batting gloves directly. It is better to take an old cloth and soak that into the soap and water first. You can rub this on the glove to clean them thoroughly.
Dry Naturally
Since the cleaning process requires water, you have to ensure that your batting gloves are dried well after it.
Exposing them to heat or a dryer might cause the leather to lose its durability and power.
In order to dry your batting gloves in the right manner you should keep them on a hard surface in room temperature and let natural air work its magic.
Now, this could take around three to five days or even a week so you have to be very patient. One other thing to consider here is sunlight.
Do not think that you can speed up the drying by placing them under the sun because that could cause severe damage to the quality of the batting globes.
Condition
This is critically important to the long term care of batting gloves in baseball. However, conditioning the batting glove is something that you don't have to do frequently.
You can do this twice in a month or after every tournament when there is a break. For keeping the gloves well-conditioned you will have to get a leather cleaner and conditioner.
Keep in mind that the cleaner has to be applied first and removed as well.
After you are done with that, you can slowly put the conditioner on and store the batting gloves in their place.
Break In the Gloves with Your Hands
You don't want to use force with the batting glove as that could create problems for you on the baseball field.
If you use any objects or external pressure on the gloves, you might affect their grip and stability.
The best way to break into the gloves is by wearing them daily even when you are not in the game. You should also consider using a good baseball glove oil to assist with the breaking in.
Common Questions & Answers
Do batting gloves make a difference?
Batting gloves can make quite a difference for hitters in the game. They provide shock absorption and a secure grip on the bat's handle which increases their chances to connect with the ball and make good plays on the field.
Is there a difference between softball and baseball batting gloves?
Yes. Softball gloves have deep pockets and are longer than the gloves for batters in baseball. They are also less flexible or versatile due to their design.
Do any MLB players not use batting gloves?
Wil Myers and Matt Carpenter are two players in the MLB who do not use gloves. Brad Miller is also known to step on the batter's box without them.
What hand do you wear a batting glove on?
The hand which holds the bat from the edge or top. If you are a left-handed hitter, this will be your right hand.
What batting gloves do the pros wear?
Nike Diamond Elite, Franklin Sports CFX Pro and Under Armour's batting gloves are popularly worn by pros in the League.
Conclusion
There are so many thing to consider while choosing the best baseball batting gloves.
However, once you understand their importance and are able to make the right pick, you will be able to experience an improvement in your performance.
You can choose any one of these batting gloves or just go with the Huarache Elite Gloves from Nike if you want to want to save time and make a quick selection.
At the end, the best batting gloves will only give you a good value of money when you take care of them and focus on their maintenance.