Our store is well known for stocking anything and everything softball. But what most fastpitch players notice are the dozens of fastpitch gloves displayed in our cases and on the wall. Popular brands such as Mizuno, Wilson, Marucci, All-Star, Easton, Nokona, and Rawlings dominate the department for our customers. We've had people stay in this section for hours in our store pouring over the amount of gloves we have for them. It helps when some of the gloves are based off of professional players such as Monica Abbott, Sierra Romero, Jennie Finch, and Keilani Ricketts. We won't be surprised if you get stuck on this page looking over these gloves as well.

With so many different models and styles of adult fastpitch softball gloves, it can get confusing on which glove best suits you. Bases Loaded has one of the biggest selections of Fastpitch Softball gloves that are specifically tailored towards the female athlete. What separates baseball gloves from softball gloves is the shape and depth of the pocket. Fastpitch softball gloves will be a lot deeper to begin with than a baseball glove because a softball is 12”, compared to a baseball which is 9”. Softball gloves will also have smaller wrist and hand openings due to a woman’s hand generally being smaller than a man’s. Bases Loaded experts know how to properly size and identify the correct mitt for you or any other softball athlete. Let’s dive into the different sizes and sizing of adult softball gloves.

Softball infield gloves will range in size from 11.5” to 12”. Since softball has much shorter base lines which makes it a much faster paced game, girls need every advantage they can get when it comes to getting the ball out of the glove quickly. This is precisely why you never want to use anything over 12” on the infield in softball. In particular, middle infielders should not be using anything over 11.75”, and third basemen should not be using anything over 12”. Middle infielders are usually in more of a hurry as far as getting the ball out of their mitt being farther away from contact than third basemen. Infield softball gloves will typically have either an I-Web or an H-Web (Dual Post). These pockets naturally give a shallower shape, which is great for quick transitions on the infield.

Softball pitchers will be using gloves anywhere from 11.75” to 12.5”. Though the sizing is a more broad range than infield gloves, pitcher’s glove almost have to have a closed web of some sort. The gaps in the dual post and I-Webs can potentially allow hitters to see the seams of the ball and the pitcher’s grip of the ball. Thus making it easy for hitters to see what kind of pitch is coming. This is why it is so crucial to have a closed web as a pitcher. There are softball pitchers who will also use a modified trapeze web as well.

In fastpitch softball, adult outfield gloves will generally be shaped not only longer, but also much wider. This will give outfielders more range for tracking down balls in the gap and at the wall. This is why fastpitch outfield gloves will range from 12.5” to 13”. The pockets on these outfield gloves will naturally close a little wider than an infield glove, which again is exactly what you want as an outfielder. The most common webs that you will see on adult fastpitch outfield gloves are basket webs and modified trapeze webs. These particular webs create a natural outfield shape by allowing the glove to swallow the softball, making it easy for fly balls and line drives.

Softball first base mitts will be very similar to baseball first base mitts. The only difference is that the softball one will have a little bit thinner padding on the pinky and thumb to help create an even bigger and deeper pocket. The fastpitch 1^st base mitts have a variety of wrist designs. Some will have a Velcro strap. Some will have a traditional wrist. And some will have a pull-string system to help keep a secure fit inning after inning.

Fastpitch softball catcher’s mitts will also be similar to baseball catcher’s mitts. What makes the softball mitts different is the shape and thinner padding on the thumb and pinky. Softball catcher’s mitts will have a more squared up shape to make the pocket as deep as possible. Softball catcher’s mitts will have three different wrist styles: traditional, Velcro, and pull-string. You will generally see two types of pockets on these mitts as well. One style is the closed, one-piece web. This pocket will be popular on most 33” catcher’s gloves. The most popular pocket will be the H-web, or dual-post web according to some companies. This style of web will have the easiest break-in process and deepest pocket.