Batting Gloves
Baseball / Softball Batting Gloves
Materials
You can wear batting gloves on both hands. Batting gloves keep your hands warm and provide grip when hitting the ball. Loose batting gloves can lead to slipping, while tight gloves may restrict movement. Two materials are used to protect the palm: leather and synthetic leather. Leather gloves typically provide better grip than synthetic leather. Synthetic batting gloves offer comfort and flexibility and are easier to clean. Many batting gloves are insulated, making them waterproof and windproof. Some batting gloves are even made from sheepskin. There are also specific batting gloves for fastpitch softball. A padded glove is extra comfortable when you miss a swing. Extra padded batting gloves have padding on the back of the glove to protect the back of the hands from the ball. Most gloves have Velcro on the wrist, allowing the player to adjust the tightness of the glove. Gloves also help prevent blisters. Winter batting gloves are usually thicker and are always waterproof and windproof.
History
Batting gloves were originally used only in golf. Ken Harrelson, a golfer and also a baseball player, got a blister while batting during a baseball game. By coincidence, he had his golf gloves in his pocket and decided to put them on for protection. This happened in 1961. From that moment on, more and more baseball players started wearing batting gloves. However, Ken Harrelson was not the first player to wear them. It is said that Hughie Jennings in 1901 and Johnny Fredericks in 1932 used batting gloves, but at that time, they were not widely recognized. By 1980, batting gloves became essential, and from then on, almost everyone started wearing them, making them the standard.
User Moment
You wear a batting glove on your top hand. This is the hand that is closest to the end of the bat. For a right-handed batter, it’s the left hand. This hand will rub against the knob of the bat and will stay on the bat during the entire swing. Most baseball players wear batting gloves because they provide grip. Pitchers can wear batting gloves as long as it is not on their throwing hand. Fastpitch softball batting gloves are an important piece of equipment designed to improve your grip on the bat. A good grip helps you swing with maximum power and control through the strike zone. Many people think batting gloves are only for protection, but a good batting glove not only protects but can also help you hit the ball perfectly. Wearing the wrong batting glove can negatively affect your performance in a game.
Age and Gender
Sizes for youth batting gloves are: XXS, XS, S, M, and sometimes L, and for adults: S, M, L, XL, XXL. The main difference between men’s and women’s gloves is often the color combinations. Women’s batting gloves usually have smaller openings for the hands and thinner finger pieces, as the average woman has smaller hands than the average man. Men’s gloves are therefore larger. Fastpitch batting gloves are usually specifically designed for female softball players. These gloves are shorter and have smaller wrist openings. Good fastpitch gloves have special padding in the palm for added comfort. In addition to the baseball gloves used for fielding and catching, batting gloves are worn for better grip on the bat and hand protection when sliding into base. Another reason for wearing batting gloves, especially in younger competitions (youth baseball) that allow aluminum bats, is protection against shock.
Prices
For junior or adult players, expect to pay between €25 and €55 for a good batting glove. What makes a more expensive batting glove better than a cheaper one? Typically, a more expensive glove is of higher quality because high-end batting gloves are often made from sheepskin, which offers a better grip. Expensive gloves are also typically waterproof. Franklin and Rawlings batting gloves are among the priciest gloves. The price range for fastpitch batting gloves is typically between €20 and €35.
Durability
A new pair of batting gloves should last at least one season. How long they last depends on how often you use them, but with proper care, you can expect to get two seasons out of them.
Brands