A 7-year-old typically uses a 10 to 10.5 inch glove; an 11-to-12-year-old a 10.5 inch infield or 11 inch outfield glove. Youth gloves are measured in inches from the heel to the top of the index finger — and unlike a bat, a glove that is slightly too big is a real problem, because a child cannot close it.
The rule every fitter uses: size by age first, then adjust — down a size for infield, up a size for outfield.
What size baseball glove for a 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13 year old?
| Age | Infield | Outfield | Typical all-round |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 7 (T-ball) | 9″–10″ | 10″–10.5″ | 9.5″–10″ |
| 8–10 (8U–10U) | 10″ | 10.5″–10.75″ | 10″–10.5″ |
| 11–12 (11U–12U) | 10.5″ | 11″ | 10.5″–11″ |
| 13–14 (13U–14U) | 11″–11.25″ | 12″–12.25″ | 11″–11.5″ |
Across all youth positions the range runs roughly 9 to 12.5 inches, with 11 to 11.5 inches the most commonly bought size.
Glove size by position
Position changes the size more than most parents expect. An outfielder wants length to reach and to trap a fly ball; an infielder wants a shallow pocket they can get the ball out of quickly. Once a child settles into a position, this table matters more than the age table.
| Position | Range | Most common |
|---|---|---|
| Infield | 11.25″–11.75″ | 11.5″ |
| Pitcher | 11.75″–12″ | 11.75″ |
| Outfield | 12.25″–13″ | 12.75″ |
| First base mitt | 12″–13″ | 12.5″ |
| Catcher’s mitt | 31″–34″ | 32.5″–33″ |
| Youth, all positions | 9″–12.5″ | 11″–11.5″ |
Why the catcher’s mitt number looks wrong
It is not a mistake in the chart. Catcher’s mitts are measured by circumference around the outside of the mitt, not by length like every other glove. That is why a catcher’s mitt reads 32 inches while an outfielder’s reads 12.75. Youth catchers are generally in a 31 to 32.5 inch mitt. Comparing a catcher’s number against any other position on this page tells you nothing.
How to measure and check the fit
Glove length is measured from the heel of the glove, along the palm, to the tip of the index finger — usually printed on the thumb or the pinky. To check it fits your child rather than the chart:
- Can they close it? Have them squeeze the glove shut one-handed, with no help. If they cannot, it is too big or too stiff, no matter what size is printed on it.
- Does it stay on? With the hand relaxed and pointing down, the glove should not slide off. A wrist strap can take up a little slack, not a lot.
- Fingers reach the stalls. Fingertips should reach into the finger slots, not stop halfway down the glove.
Do not buy a glove to grow into
This is the mistake that puts children off fielding. A glove too large cannot be closed on the ball, so every catch is dropped — and a child who drops everything concludes they are bad at baseball rather than that the glove is wrong. Buy the size that closes today.
Break it in before the season, not during
A new glove is stiff. Play catch with it for a couple of weeks before games start, and if it needs more, work the pocket by hand. Skip the microwave and oven tricks that circulate online — heat dries the leather out and shortens the life of the glove considerably.
Sources and verification
Size ranges above are compiled from published baseball glove sizing guides and cross-checked between retailers; where age bands and position ranges overlapped, the overlap is shown rather than a single number. Glove sizing is not governed by a standard and manufacturers measure slightly differently — check the size printed on the specific glove, and where possible have your child try closing it before buying.
Last verified: 6 August 2026. Spotted a number that looks wrong? Tell us — corrections get the chart re-checked and re-dated.
More charts: every kids size chart in one place.
