GroovyMan

When you miss one, it's not the glove's fault.

On the day of this year’s first spring training game, our thoughts turn to America’s game. First, let us say if you have to ask about the difference between softball and baseball, you can just skip on to another site. Let’s just say baseball is hard and softball is played by guys who can’t play baseball any more (or never could.)

Many athletes say the hardest thing to do in any sport is hit a baseball. As former ball players here, we tend to agree. (If you don’t agree, think of Micheal Jordan’s ill fated attempt to be a baseball player.) And despite all the recent bad pub with the steroids and all, baseball is still the best American game. We think it’s because of its infinite complexity, the subtlety of the pitchers’ duel, and the intricacy of infield play. Somehow behemoths smashing into each other on a basketball floor or a football field just doesn’t engage the mind the same way.

In order to play baseball, it helps to have a good glove. Gloves come in all shapes, sizes and quality. From the $25 cheapie you buy your kid when he’s three to the $300 pro models your kid will want when he makes the high school team, there’s a lot to choose.

Here are a few tips: first and foremost buy a glove that fits the player. A kid just starting in Little League needs a small glove he can handle, not a 13-inch model more suited to a Major League centerfielder. Second, buy a glove that fits the player’s usual position. Aside from the obvious differences of a catcher’s mitt or a first baseman’s glove, there are lots of things to consider. But, the basics are: an infielder needs a smaller flatter glove that has a more “open” pocket, i.e. the glove is somewhat flatter. That’s so you can pick the ball off the ground easier, find it with your bare hand, and get rid of it in a hurry to get a speeding runner. An outfielder’s glove should be bigger, have a deeper pocket, and be designed for snagging balls out of the air.

Some other things to consider. In general, better gloves are made out of thicker leather and take longer to break in. If you are an advanced player, it’s a good idea to have two gloves going at once. One, which is broken in just the way you like it, is your “gamer.” The other is your practice glove. That’s the one that’s in the process of being broken in. Depending on how much you play with it, a serious glove can take from weeks to even months to break into game shape.

The brand of the glove doesn’t make any difference. (We’re Rawlings guys, but that’s just us. We know some Wilson guys and they’re ok.) The only thing that does make a difference is whether you like it and whether you’ll take the time to break it in right. One thing you might want to consider is the new fabric backed gloves. They’re a bit lighter than an all leather glove, and, in the expensive models, the leather of the pocket is the same. Those who use them say the gloves are cooler, too. They don’t get so sweaty as an all leather model.

No sporting goods store we’re aware of carries the variety of gloves that we like to look through. You’re best bet is to check out the various sites on the internet. Ones we’ve bought from include Baseball Express and Fog Dog.

Here’s the best way to break in a new glove. Put old style shave cream on it. Play a lot of catch. In a pinch, you can use the commercial glove softeners that are on the shelf right next to where you picked out the glove.  If your glove gets wet, dry it off before putting it away. Wipe the sweat out of the inside, too.

Did we mention you should play a lot of catch?