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There are many sights, sounds and smells that indicate that baseball season is upon us again. It can be the warmth in the air, the smell of fresh-cut grass on a baseball field, the sound of gloves popping as players warm up with a catch or the sound of bats making contact with the ball during a batting practice session. These are the signs that a new season is here.
A new season is a new beginning for teams and for players individually, and it goes beyond a clean slate without wins and losses on the schedule. It is a chance to look at yourself as a player, to put the finishing touches on the work you have done in the offseason and to get the new equipment you need to be a more successful player in the upcoming season.
It is no surprise, then, to see many players trying out new bats or using this time of practice and preparation for a new season breaking in a new glove. You want to have all of the tools in place to make you a successful player and that can mean parting ways with your trusted old bat or glove and getting a new one.
When it comes to choosing baseball gloves and finding the right one for you, there are a few different things to consider. You should have an understanding of the different types of gloves available and what makes them different. You should use this information to choose the right glove for you based on what you will need this season. You should also find a place to buy gloves, bats and more that you can trust to help you find the right equipment for you and offer it at a great price.
Today, we will provide you with a guide to gloves, tips for choosing the right glove for you and why HB Sports is your place to go to get the glove you need.
The Different Types of Gloves
As players are positioned around the field, each player should use a baseball glove that is most optimal for your position. Every position on the field is different, and you should choose a glove that helps you to make fielding easier based on your role. Here are just a few of the different types of gloves that you can get.
Catcher’s Mitt - The catcher position is one of the most demanding in baseball. From catching pitches at high speeds to dealing with the risks of being hit by a bat or a foul ball, you need to have extra protection. It is why a catcher’s mitt is the most padded glove available. It is designed with a deep pocket to receive the ball and secure it at a high speed. If you are going to play behind the plate, this glove is an absolute requirement.
First Baseman’s Mitt - The first baseman’s position is a unique one because it is one of the most involved on the field. The first baseman can often be the player helping to organize the positioning of the other infielders and waits for throws from across the diamond on ground balls. With the need to stretch out and make a play quickly, especially with a fast runner breaking down the line to first base, the first baseman’s glove is designed to have the extra reach and a deeper pocket than the typical infield glove. This allows first basemen to pick the ball off the ground or on a bounce while using their full extension to remain on the base for a putout.
Infield Gloves - Infield gloves can vary at each of the other infield positions. If you play on the left side of the infield at shortstop or third base, you want a glove with a deeper pocket and more length to give you every advantage possible to secure the ball, especially the sharply hit ground balls that leave you little time to react. A second baseman will use likely use something shorter, but it is all about comfort, so choose a glove that helps you the most and feels good on your hand.
Outfield Gloves - The outfield position is all about tracking and catching fly balls and making quick transfers on hits that do drop in and getting the ball back to the infield quickly. Having the right glove can help with all of these things. An outfield glove is normally longer than infield gloves because you need that reach and extension of your arm to make catches on the run. An outfield glove doesn’t have a deep pocket and that allows for a quick transition from fielding the ball to throwing the ball. It allows the outfielder to have more fluid motion and makes it easier to field the position.
Pitcher’s Gloves - When it comes to choosing a glove for a pitcher, there really isn’t much difference between the infielder and pitcher’s glove. You don’t want a glove that has too much reach and can still be used to properly field ground balls back to the mound. That said, an important part of a pitcher’s game is deception, so they need a glove with a closed web to hide the ball as they set for delivery.
Multiple Position Gloves - There are baseball gloves on the market that will be labeled as multi-position gloves that can be used in various situations. Nothing replaces the catcher’s mitt or first baseman’s mitt since those are position-specific and designed to be the most optimal for the work that the player does behind the plate and at first base. The rest of the positions can use a similar glove. For players in Little League who may play in various spots around the diamond, you want to have one glove that you can trust that can be used in various situations.
Choosing the Right Glove
An important part of choosing the right glove for you is choosing what you need based on the position you play. But there are several other factors that come into play when choosing the best glove.
Durability - The best gloves on the market are the ones that are most durable and will last the longest for you. When you get a new glove and start to break it in, you don’t expect to use it for just one season. You expect it to become your new go-to in the field and be a piece of equipment that will be with you for many years. You need to make sure you are getting a glove that is built to last and made with quality leather. Choosing from the top brands like Rawlings and Wilson can help ensure that you are getting a solid glove.
Price - Another part of choosing the right glove for you is knowing what you can afford and find a glove that is in your price range. Naturally, when you buy a glove, you want the best. Sometimes, the best is just too premium for you. You know your budget coming in, so be sure to choose a glove that fits within your budget, but still allows you to get quality.
The Fit - The way the glove fits is certainly a determining factor in making your purchase. The glove you choose has to fit your hand properly, so you don’t want to experience any looseness that can cause your glove to come off your hand easily. This can hurt your performance, so finding a glove that fits you snugly can make a huge difference.
The Feel - When you wear something that feels good, you recognize it right away. The same should be said for your glove. When you wear a glove that feels good, you can perform better at your position. Before you ever decide to purchase a glove, you should be able to try it on and make sure the feel is what you want it to be.
Why Choose HB Sports?
When it comes to buying baseball gloves and other baseball equipment, you want to find a place that offers three critical things. You need to find selection, get great prices and get the help you need to find what you are looking for and get the best equipment for you.
With HB Sports, you get all three of those things and so much more. Here’s a look at those three factors and how HB Sports is fulfilling all of them.
Selection - If you are looking for a bat or a glove, you want to be able to find selection so you can get the right one for you. With many of the top brands in the industry in stock and a great selection of various sizes and styles of bats and gloves, you are able to get exactly what you need to be a better player and to come to the field with the best equipment possible. With HB Sports, you will be able to find what you need and get the best in the business to help you get the best results.
Price - Finding baseball gloves and bats at the right price is important and you need to get new equipment that can help you be at your best, you want to go to a place that makes it affordable. HB Sports does that. With financing available and great prices on some of the best bats and gloves in the industry, you can get quality equipment at a price that you can actually afford and you can make some investments in improving your game.
Customer Service - When you shop at HB Sports, you get one-on-one customer service that helps you find exactly what you need. If you are new to baseball or looking to buy baseball gloves or bats where you are making an investment in your future and your development as a player, you can use the help of an expert to make the right decision for you and to understand what is really important when determining the feel of a bat or glove. With all of this in mind, you want to have the experts working with you to answer any questions you have and to give you the best advice when it comes to choosing equipment that you are investing in with the goal of becoming a better player.
With all of this in mind, it’s time for you to head to HB Sports to find the equipment you need to make yourself a better player and make an investment in your development. Remember that any new equipment will require an adjustment period and need to be broken in at the plate or in the field, so allow yourself some practice time to get loose and ready with your new gear before taking it to the field for game action.
Always remember that HB Sports is your source for all of your baseball and softball needs, so be sure to turn to them for everything you need before your next season begins.
