Youth Baseball Glove Size Chart | Match By Age & Position

Choosing the wrong glove is the most common mistake in youth baseball. A glove that swallows a 7-year-old’s hand kills control, while an undersized infield glove forces outfielders to miss routine catches. The sizing charts from Rawlings and Wilson agree: match the glove to both the player’s age and position.

This guide condenses the official youth baseball glove size chart into a single reference, covering exact ranges per position and age band, how sizes are measured, and common purchasing mistakes. For left-handed throwers, our roundup of the best youth left handed baseball gloves narrows down top options.

How Are Youth Baseball Gloves Sized?

Baseball glove size is measured in inches from the heel of the glove to the tip of the index finger, along the pocket. This measurement defines the glove’s length and is the number on every tag. Smaller gloves (10″–11.5″) transfer the ball faster, suiting infielders needing quick releases; larger gloves (11.5″ and up) offer deeper pockets for outfielders chasing fly balls.

Catcher’s mitts and first baseman’s mitts are exceptions. Catcher’s mitts are measured by circumference, with youth sizes starting around 29.5″–30″. First base mitts run larger, starting around 11.5″ and extending to 13″ for older players. Neither is interchangeable with a standard fielding glove.

Youth Baseball Glove Size Chart By Age And Position

Official brand charts group players into age bands, listing glove-size ranges per position. The table below compresses the core numbers from Rawlings and Wilson.

Rawlings’ chart for players ages 7–12 lists infield gloves at 10.25″–11.5″ and outfield at 11.5″–12.25″. Wilson’s chart similarly shows infield sizes around 10.75″–11.5″ for 12 & Under, with smaller ranges for younger kids. First base and catcher positions use larger, position-specific mitts at every age. The crossover to adult sizing typically happens around age 14, when fielding gloves run 11.25″–12.75″ depending on position.

Common Glove Sizing Mistakes

The most frequent errors come from three habits:

• Buying by age alone. Position changes size within the same age band. An 11-year-old infielder fits an 11″ glove, while an outfielder needs the deeper pocket of an 11.5″–12.25″ model.
• Ignoring position-specific mitts. A catcher’s or first baseman’s mitt has a distinct shape and purpose; using a standard glove in those positions hurts performance.
• Moving to adult charts too early. Official guides keep younger players in smaller sizes, shifting to adult-style ranges only in older age groups. An adult-sized glove on a 9-year-old reduces control and slows development.

When a player sits between sizes, the charts imply a simple answer: choose the size that fits the position’s demands. An outfielder should size up for the larger pocket; an infielder should size down for quicker transfers. An oversized glove can also become a safety concern, since it shifts during play and reduces the ability to secure the ball cleanly.

Rawlings’ official glove sizing guide defines the position-by-position ranges used above, and Wilson’s how-to-choose-a-glove guide confirms the same age-plus-position approach.

Final Sizing Rules To Follow

Three rules settle every sizing decision:

1. Name the position first. Infield, outfield, first base, and catcher each demand a different glove. A glove for shortstop is too small for center field at the same age.

2. Match the age band, then adjust for position. Use the table above to find the starting range, then move toward the larger end for outfield or the smaller end for infield. First base and catcher require specialty mitts on their own scales.

3. When in doubt, size to the position’s job. Outfielders benefit from the larger pocket; infielders benefit from the faster transfer. Choosing the wrong direction produces the most common glove complaints in youth baseball.

A properly fitted glove breaks in faster, feels natural, and gives the player the best chance to make routine plays. That makes the size chart the first step in any glove purchase.