Steve Jr. & I prefer a T-Web glove vs a closed web as they create a better pocket to catch back handed balls and the picking of short hopped throws and ground balls. Size of the glove and the "shape" of the 4 fingers are the most critical feature you should focus on. Sizing of the glove run's different from one manufacturer to another because of there different shapes. It needs to be in proportion to the size of the players hand. It only make sense that a younger player who stands 5'6" should have a glove thats X% smaller than a major leaguer who's 6'2". Major League infielders use gloves in the 11.5" to 11.75" size range. In general the length of a glove across the three infield positions (from 2B to SS to 3B) becomes slightly longer. Error on smaller vs larger as virtually all players I have worked with over the years have gloves too big for them. The shape or better put "lack of shape" of the 4 fingers is of next importance. The four fingers should be FLAT with no curvature to the glove. 90% of the ground balls an infielder fields are off of these four fingers of the glove, they need to act as a 45 degree ramp up into the glove where the top hand traps down on top of the ball. A curved glove causes a player to have to present the glove at an odd (stiff/stressful) wrist angle so to maintain the proper 45 degree tip to heel angle. This angle allows for the largest ball entry way. A curved 4 fingers sets up a shallower entry way which results in the player consistently taking balls of the heel or completely missing balls above the glove. Lastly the glove has to feel good on the players hand not look good. I would traditionally sort through many gloves of the exact same style & size to find the one that felt just right on my hand.
We both prefer Mizuno’s because of quality and shape to our hands. Some of these examples below are very expensive, as long as you can find one regardless of manufacturer that has the below characteristics you’ll be fine. Your always welcome to bring a newly purchased glove to a training session before you let him starting using it for me to look over and give you feedback.
Steve Lombardozzi Sr.
Infielder Glove Recommendations:
We both prefer Mizuno’s because of quality and shape to our hands. Some of these examples below are very expensive, as long as you can find one regardless of manufacturer that has the below characteristics you’ll be fine. Your always welcome to bring a newly purchased glove to a training session before you let him starting using it for me to look over and give you feedback.
Steve Lombardozzi Sr.
Infielder Glove Recommendations: