Infield Vs Outfield Baseball Gloves | Key Differences

Are you making the same mistake over and over by grabbing the wrong glove? Believe me, you’re not alone.

At first glance, all baseball gloves look pretty much the same. But the closer you look, the more confusing it gets, especially if you’re new to the game.

You might be wondering why that is. Simple. There are different categories of baseball gloves, and within those categories there are even more variations. That’s where the confusion creeps in.

So to clear things up once and for all, I’ve broken down the features that separate infield baseball gloves from outfield baseball gloves. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to tell which is which at a glance, and you’ll know exactly what to look for when you’re shopping for your position.

Infield Vs Outfield Baseball Gloves

Let’s cut to the chase. When you’re trying to tell an infield glove from an outfield glove, keep an eye out for a handful of key details: pocket depth, weight, length, back design, style, and webbing.

So for the next few minutes, forget about hunting for the best baseball gloves on the market and redirect your focus to these features instead. Once you know what to look for, picking the right glove for your position gets a lot easier.

Pocket Depth

The pocket is the part of the glove with the indentation for your palm. Pocket depth matters a great deal depending on where you’re playing on the field.

Shallow Pockets

Infielders prefer five-fingered gloves with a shallow pocket. A shallow pocket makes it easy to feel exactly where the ball is sitting, which helps with a quick transfer and release so you can make fast plays at first, second, third, or short.

Deep Pockets

Outfielders are the farthest players from the ball, so if a pop fly, hard-hit ball, or line drive comes their way, that extra pocket depth helps them secure the catch instead of watching it bounce off the leather. It also gives them a stable grip for making long throws back into the infield.

Size (Infield vs Outfield)

Finding the right glove size is trickier than it sounds, mostly because there are so many variables to account for. There’s a general size range for every age group, but if your kid’s hands run big for their age, you’ll want to size up.

Infielders make quick turnaround plays that involve fast movements and split-second transitions from catching the ball to throwing it. That’s only possible if the glove itself doesn’t weigh them down.

That’s why infield gloves run lighter, smaller, and shallower in the pocket, while outfield gloves are noticeably longer, heavier, and deeper in the pocket.

Back design is the next thing to check. This refers to the wrist closure, and there are two types: open back and closed back.

Open Back Gloves

These are the flexible option. There’s a gap right above the wrist adjustment area, which is ideal for infield players since it gives them more mobility and lets them make quicker turnarounds on the ball.

Close Back Gloves

There’s no gap above the wrist adjustment on these. Some models add a finger hole where the index finger can rest instead. This closed-back style is best suited for outfield players who need a snugger, more secure fit for tracking down fly balls.

Webbings (Infield vs. Outfield)

Both infielders and outfielders tend to favor open web gloves, but there are different types of webbing, and each one serves its own purpose. A few webbing styles even get used by both infielders and outfielders, depending on the player’s preference.

Let me break it down for you.

Trapeze Web:

The trapeze web uses a leather strap interlaced on both sides of the webbing. That construction adds extra depth to the pocket, which is exactly what outfielders want when they’re tracking down fly balls at full speed.

I-Web: 

The I-web gets its name from the leather posts, which are sewn into the shape of an “I.” Infielders lean toward this one because dirt and debris fall right through the gaps in the webbing, and the open design lets them transfer the ball quickly.

H-web + Modified Trapeze:

Now for the two webbing styles that show up on both infield and outfield gloves: the modified trap and the H-web. The modified trap is similar to a standard trapeze web, except it adds another leather strip across the top of the webbing for extra stability.

As for the H-web, the leather posts form an “H” shaped pattern. Like the I-web, dirt falls right through the gaps, but this design is sturdier, so it holds up to hard-hit balls. It also expands the catch radius for a first baseman, which is why third basemen tend to reach for this webbing style too.

Styles (Infield vs. Outfield)

As you can see, there’s a fair amount of distinction between infield and outfield gloves. The outfield side doesn’t really change based on which outfield spot you play, but the infield side has a few more variations to sort through.

The first baseman, for instance, has to catch a steady stream of balls coming in at high velocity from across the diamond. That’s why they usually reach for a mitt instead of a glove. First base mitts run bigger, more padded, and naturally heavier than other infield gloves. So if you’re shopping for an infield glove, it pays to know exactly which infield spot it’s for.

Here’s the quick rundown.

First Base Mitt

Like I mentioned, the mitt runs bigger, but it has a shallow pocket that helps the first baseman catch and clear the ball fast. This glove is similar to a catcher’s mitt, just with less padding.

Middle Infield Glove

This is a five-fingered glove, and it’s relatively smaller in size, which gives second basemen and shortstops better control over their movements during quick double-play turns.

Third Base Glove

The third baseman plays a defensive, reactive position, so their gloves run a bit larger with a sturdier webbing to handle hard-hit balls off the bat. Getting the right size baseball glove matters here just as much as it does at any other position.

Features

Related Questions

Let me answer some of the most common questions I hear about infield and outfield gloves.

What Size Glove Is Better for Shortstop or Second Base?

The middle infield glove is the smallest glove compared to other infield and outfield patterns. For adults, that size range usually runs from 11 to 11 ½ inches, though some players prefer 11 ¾ inches. It really comes down to how you wear the glove and what feels most comfortable in your hand.

There are two common ways to wear the glove. Some players slide the ring finger and pinky into the pinky hole together for better control. It also gives the illusion of a deeper pocket. The downside is that the ball can occasionally get stuck in the glove, which is the last thing you want mid-play.

Others prefer putting each finger in its own hole. This also gives you solid control, but the pocket sits flatter, and your fingers won’t cramp up during a long game.

How Can I Measure My Baseball Glove Properly?

There’s a simple way. If you just want to check the length of a glove, look at the thumb or the pinky. The size is usually printed right there. If it’s missing, grab a fabric tape measure and run it from the top of the index finger down along the length of the glove, stopping at the center of the heel.

Can You Use an Infield Glove as an Alternative for The Outfield?

You can, but it’ll mess with your game more than you’d expect. An infielder’s job on the field is different from an outfielder’s, and that’s exactly why the size, webbing, and pocket depth of their gloves are different too. It’s best to buy a glove built for the position you actually play rather than trying to make one glove do double duty.

Are Outfield Gloves Bigger Than Infield Gloves?

Yes. Outfield gloves run bigger than infield gloves across the board. They’re longer, carry extra padding, and have deeper pockets, which gives the player more range and lets them cover a lot more ground.

Which Is the Hardest Position in Baseball?

By general consensus, shortstop is usually considered the toughest position on the field. A shortstop has to cover a ton of ground, react fast, and sometimes even drift into shallow outfield territory to run down short fly balls.

Wrapping Up

It’s easy to skip past the specs of a glove, especially when you spot a sale from a popular brand. But if you don’t get the right pair, with the proper fit and the right build for your position, you’re fighting a losing battle out there.

So if you’re buying for your kid, confirm their position first. Is it infield or outfield? If it’s infield, are they playing first base, middle infield, or third base? Then have them try the gloves on at the store and check the fit. Ask if the webbing and padding feel right. If everything checks out, make the purchase. Hope this article helped you find the right glove for your position. Cheers!

Tyler Wells

With 4 years of Division II experience, a .272 career batting average, .410 on-base percentage, and 7 home runs, I’m now in my fifth season. I’ve played baseball since age 3, alongside future MLB Draft picks, and I aim to pursue a career in baseball professionally, be it playing, coaching, or scouting.