Best Youth Baseball Gloves
Written by Zach Kerr
Updated October 21st, 2026
The best youth baseball glove is one your kid can close with one hand on day one. For most players under 12 that means a youth-pattern glove, roughly 10 to 11.5 inches, with soft or game-ready leather. Skip the pro-grade glove until he's older. A stiff adult glove he can't squeeze shut will cost him more catches than it's worth, and he'll outgrow it before it's broken in.
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How we picked: we compared the gloves listed on this page on size, web and how game-ready the leather is listed, using the specs each maker and merchant lists. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
Youth glove picks
Tee ball and younger players
The Shoeless Joe Junior is a 9-inch all position glove with an I-Web. The Rawlings Gamer ContoUR is a 10.5-inch all position glove sized for youth and tee ball players, for a family that wants better leather from the start.
Shoeless Joe Junior youth baseball glove in 9". An all position glove with an I-Web. Model 900JR in brown.
Rawlings Gamer ContoUR youth baseball glove in 10.5". An all position glove with an I-Web, sized for youth and tee ball players. Model G105U-2B in black.
8U to 10U
The Mizuno Prospect Select is an 11-inch all position glove with an I-Web that covers every spot he plays this season.
Mizuno Prospect Select youth baseball glove in 11". An all position glove with an I-Web. Model GPSL1101 in black and tan.
11U to 12U
The Mizuno Prospect PowerClose is an 11.5-inch all position glove with a closed basket web. If he's settling into the infield, the Rawlings Select Pro Lite comes in an 11.25-inch and an 11.5-inch infield pattern, both with an I-Web.
Mizuno Prospect PowerClose youth baseball glove in 11.5". An all position glove with a closed basket web. Model GPP1150Y3 in brown.
Rawlings Select Pro Lite youth baseball glove in 11.25". An infield pattern with an I-Web. Model SPL112AV in navy.
Rawlings Select Pro Lite youth baseball glove in 11.5". An infield pattern with an I-Web. Model SPL150FLC in blue.
What size glove by age?
Tee ball players usually start around 9 to 10 inches. Kids in 8U to 10U often use 10 to 11 inches, and 11U to 12U players move toward 11 to 11.5 inches depending on position. Makers' charts differ a little, so use the chart for the brand you're buying and size down if he's between sizes.
One glove or position gloves?
One. A 9-year-old should be playing all over the field, and one good all-purpose glove covers it. The exception is catcher's mitts and first base mitts, which only make sense once he's actually playing those spots regularly.
How to check the fit
His fingers should reach near the ends of the finger stalls, and the wrist strap should keep the glove from sliding off when he shakes his hand. Toss him a few balls. If he's catching with his palm instead of the pocket, the glove is too big or too stiff.
How much to spend
Kids grow out of gloves every season or two. A solid youth glove that fits now is a better buy than a high-end adult glove he'll grow into. Save the bigger purchase for when his hand size settles and he's playing a long season at one position.
For older players see the best baseball gloves, and for a new glove's first weeks, our break-in guide.
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Zach Kerr
Author
Zach is a former college pitcher & Founder of Baseball Near You.