Best Youth Baseball Gloves (2026): Top Picks by Age 5 to 12 + Size Chart

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The right glove makes a huge difference for young players. A glove that is too big or too stiff turns every catch into a fight, while a well-sized, easy-closing glove builds confidence fast.

This guide keeps it simple: find your child’s age, order that size, and buy the one glove we recommend for it. We compared the best-selling youth gloves on Amazon by size, material, break-in time and buyer ratings.

Best T-Ball Glove

Franklin Sports Kids Meshtek Glove + Ball

You need this if: your child is 3 or 4 and just starting t-ball or backyard catch.

See T-Ball Glove on Amazon →

Quick answer: the best glove by age

On a tight budget, or just need a spare? The Franklin Field Master is our one budget pick.

Not sure of the size? Use our free Baseball Glove Size Finder. Pick your child’s age and position, and it shows the exact size to order in a few seconds.

Youth baseball glove size chart

Start here: the best glove only works if the size fits the player’s age and hand.

By position (ages 11 and up): infielders use the smaller end of the range for quick transfers, and outfielders use the larger end for reach. Catchers need a catcher’s mitt, measured differently (about 30–32.5″ for youth).

Between sizes? Choose the smaller glove. It is easier to close and control.

The best youth baseball gloves by age

Best T-Ball Glove

Franklin Sports Kids Meshtek Glove + Ball

You need this if: your child is 3 or 4 and just starting t-ball or backyard catch.

• Size9.5″
• MaterialSoft mesh and synthetic
• Break-inNone needed
• Rating4.7 (5,800+ ratings)

Which size to order: 9.5″ is the only size, and it fits most 3 and 4-year-olds.

Why we recommend it: Tiny hands struggle to close a stiff leather glove. The Meshtek is soft and light enough for a preschooler to squeeze shut, so they catch more and get frustrated less. It ships with a ball, so you can start playing the day it arrives.

Keep in mind: Kids outgrow it quickly, and it is not built for hard baseballs at older ages.

See T-Ball Glove on Amazon →

Best Glove for Ages 5–10

Rawlings Sure Catch Youth Glove

You need this if: your child is 5 to 10 and plays t-ball, coach pitch or Little League.

• ShellReal leather
• FeatureHeel cutout for easy closing
• Sizes9.5″ to 11.5″ youth
• Rating4.7 (6,000+ ratings)

Which size to order: Rawlings labels each size by age: 10″ for ages 5–6, 10.5″ for 6–8, 11″ for 7–9 and 11.5″ for 8–10. Match it to the chart above.

Why we recommend it: This is the glove we would buy for most young players. It has a real leather shell that is game-ready out of the box, and a cutout at the heel makes it easy for small hands to close.

Keep in mind: Leather still softens over a few weeks of catch. Kids over 10 usually need the next glove up.

Check Sure Catch Glove on Amazon →

Best Glove for Ages 11–13

Rawlings Select Pro Lite Youth Glove

You need this if: your child is 11 to 13, plays every season and is ready for a position-specific glove.

• ShellAll-leather, about 90% broken in
• FitYouth Pro Taper (smaller hand opening)
• Sizes10.5″ to 12.25″ youth
• Rating4.7 (4,000+ ratings)

Which size to order: 11″ to 11.25″ for infielders, 11.5″ for third base or utility players, and 12″ to 12.25″ for outfielders.

Why we recommend it: It is a real step up for older kids, but it is still built for youth hands. The narrower finger stalls and smaller hand opening stop the glove from feeling loose, and it arrives mostly broken in.

Keep in mind: It costs more than the Sure Catch, so it makes most sense for kids who play every season.

Check Select Pro Lite on Amazon →

Best budget glove

Best Budget Glove

Franklin Sports Field Master Glove

You need this if: you want a low-cost glove for casual play, backyard catch or a spare that lives in the car.

• MaterialSynthetic leather
• FitAdjustable thumb
• Break-inAlmost none
• Rating4.6 (9,600+ ratings)

Which size to order: Use the size chart above. Buyers often say the hand opening runs small, so it fits kids better than adults.

Why we recommend it: It breaks in almost immediately, the adjustable thumb snugs the fit for a growing hand, and it costs a fraction of a leather glove.

Keep in mind: Synthetic doesn’t last as long as leather and has less structure for competitive play.

Check Field Master on Amazon →

Right hand throw or left hand throw?

Buy for the hand your child throws with. A right-handed thrower needs a “Right Hand Throw” (RHT) glove, which is worn on the left hand. A left-handed thrower needs a “Left Hand Throw” (LHT) glove, worn on the right hand. This is the most common ordering mistake, so double-check it on the listing before you buy.

Leather or synthetic?

• Under 7: a soft synthetic or easy-close glove. Small hands can close it right away.
• Ages 7–10: an easy-close leather glove like the Sure Catch. It lasts longer and forms a better pocket.
• 11 and up: a youth leather glove with a position pattern, like the Select Pro Lite.

After you buy: how to break in a youth glove

1. Play catch with it as often as you can. This is the best break-in there is.
2. Open and close the glove by hand while watching TV, and punch the pocket with a ball.
3. Between sessions, put a ball in the pocket and wrap the glove with a rubber band, string or a glove wrap like the Markwort Glove Locker (see below).
4. Avoid ovens, microwaves and hot cars. Heat dries out and cracks leather.

Synthetic gloves like the Meshtek and Field Master need little or no break-in.

Optional: two helpful Markwort add-ons

These are optional. The glove is all your child needs to play. Markwort is a long-time baseball accessories brand, and these two items solve common youth glove problems.

• Markwort Glove Locker (4.7, 360+ ratings). You need this if: you are breaking in a new leather glove. The stretchy, washable wrap holds the pocket shape between sessions, so you don’t need rubber bands.
• Markwort Palmgard Xtra Inner Glove, Youth (4.2, 280+ ratings). You need this if: your child says hard catches sting their hand, especially at first base or catcher. It is worn inside the glove and cushions the palm and index finger. Read our Palmgard inner glove review.

See more from the brand on our Markwort gear page.

Optional upgrade for teens

This is optional. Most players under 13 don’t need it.

Once a teen plays competitive ball and needs an adult-size glove (12″ and up, usually outfield), the Rawlings Player Preferred is a strong step up. It has full-grain oiled leather and comes in adult outfield, first base and catcher sizes. Read our full Rawlings Player Preferred review before you buy.

Best baseball glove for a 5-year-old

Most 5-year-olds use a 9.5″ to 10″ glove. At this age, the most important thing is that the glove closes easily, because small hands can’t squeeze a stiff glove. The Franklin Meshtek (9.5″) is the easiest to close. If your child is starting t-ball and you want real leather that lasts a couple of seasons, the Rawlings Sure Catch in 10″ (labelled for ages 5 to 6) is our pick.

11″ vs 11.5″ youth glove: which one?

For players about 9 to 12, this is the most common choice. Pick 11″ for infielders, smaller hands and players who want quick transfers. Pick 11.5″ for outfielders, pitchers and bigger kids. If your child plays everywhere and you’re unsure, 11″ is the safer choice, because a slightly small glove is easier to control than a big one.

Left-handed youth baseball gloves

A left-handed thrower needs a “Left Hand Throw” (LHT) glove, worn on the right hand. On Amazon, you choose this in the hand or “orientation” option on the listing. Look for “Left Hand Throw” before you add it to the cart, because the default is often right hand throw. Lefty gloves sell out faster in popular sizes before the season, so order early.

How long does it take to break in a youth glove?

It depends on the material:

• Synthetic and mesh gloves (Meshtek, Field Master): ready on day one.
• Easy-close leather (Sure Catch): a few days to a week of regular catch.
• Youth pro-style leather (Select Pro Lite): about a week or two. It arrives mostly broken in.

Fastest safe method: play catch every day, work the pocket open and closed by hand, and store the glove with a ball in the pocket wrapped with a band. Skip the oven and the microwave, which can crack the leather and ruin the glove.

Do kids need a sliding mitt?

A sliding mitt is a padded mitt worn on the hand during head-first slides. It protects the fingers and wrist from spikes and bases. It’s optional, and not a glove for fielding. Many travel players use one, but most young rec players don’t need it, and many youth leagues discourage head-first slides anyway.

Youth glove vs adult glove for a teen

Around 13 or 14, many players outgrow youth gloves. A good sign is when an 11.5″ or 12″ youth glove feels tight across the hand. Adult gloves have wider hand openings and roomier finger stalls. Teens moving to adult sizes can look at the optional Player Preferred upgrade above.

Best youth baseball glove for every age

Parents often search for the best youth baseball glove for one exact age. Here is the short answer for each age, using the gloves in this guide. The size is a starting point. Small hands can go half an inch smaller, and older infielders may want a slightly smaller glove than outfielders.

Want a quick answer for your child’s age and position? Try our baseball glove size finder.

Best youth baseball glove for 7 and 8 year olds

At 7 and 8, most kids move from T-ball to coach or machine pitch. They need a glove that closes easily, because their hands are not strong yet. The Rawlings Sure Catch is made for this age. It has a soft, ready-to-play shell and a pocket that helps young players squeeze the ball. It costs about $40, so it is fine if they outgrow it in two seasons.

Best youth baseball glove for 9, 10 and 11 year olds

From 9 to 11, games get faster and kids start to pick a position. This is the age to step up to a better leather glove. The Rawlings Select Pro Lite is built like an adult glove with youth-sized hand openings, and it comes in patterns based on MLB players. It needs a short break-in, but it will last through several seasons.

Best youth baseball glove for small hands

If your child has small hands for their age, size down by half an inch and look for a narrow-fit youth glove. Youth gloves like the Sure Catch and Select Pro Lite have smaller finger stalls and a smaller wrist opening than adult gloves. A glove that is too big will flop on the hand and make catching harder. When you try it on, your child should be able to open and close it with one hand.

Best youth baseball gloves under $100

You do not need to spend more than $100 on a youth glove. Kids grow fast, and most players will need a new size every one or two seasons. Every glove in this guide costs under $100:

• Under $25: Franklin Field Master or the Franklin Meshtek set for beginners.
• About $40: Rawlings Sure Catch for ages 5 to 9.
• About $65: Rawlings Select Pro Lite for ages 9 to 12.
• About $80: Rawlings Player Preferred for bigger kids and teens.

Next step: pick the right bat with our baseball bat size calculator, and see the best baseball socks for game day.

Size guide: For every size by age, position and hand size, see our baseball glove size chart by age.

Free tool: Coaching a young pitcher? See our pitch count calculator.

Related: Playing softball? See our best softball gloves.

Related: Best Wilson youth baseball gloves

Related: Best Franklin kids baseball gloves

Your simple glove checklist

1. Find the size for your child’s age in the chart, or use the glove size finder.
2. Pick the glove for that age: Meshtek (3–4), Sure Catch (5–10) or Select Pro Lite (11–13).
3. Choose the throwing hand: Right Hand Throw for right-handed kids.
4. Break it in with lots of catch before the first game.

Most young players start here:

See the Rawlings Sure Catch on Amazon →

How we chose

We started with the best-selling and best-reviewed youth gloves on Amazon as of October 2026. We compared manufacturer specs and size options side by side, and read verified buyer reviews to find recurring problems and real-world fit. We then picked one clear glove for each age group. We have not received free products from any brand on this list, and no brand paid for placement. Prices and availability change often, so check the current price before you buy.