Updated October 29, 2026 · 7 min read
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4.7★ · 5,844 ratings
Soft enough to close on day one, which is exactly what a 3-year-old needs
The Franklin Meshtek is a soft mesh tee ball glove that comes with a foam ball. With more than 5,800 ratings and a 4.7★ average, it is one of the most-reviewed kids gloves on Amazon and one of eight Franklin gloves in the baseball mitts best sellers.
Its big selling point is that it needs no break-in. Little kids can open and close it straight out of the box. Here is what parents say, who it suits, and when your child will need something sturdier.
The short answer
Our verdict: the best first glove for kids aged about 3 to 5.
Parents praise the fit, softness and value, and it works for beginners right away. It is not built for hard baseballs, so plan to move up when your child starts coach or kid pitch.
Buy it if
- Your child is 3 to 5 and new to baseball
- You want a glove they can close by themselves
- You need a cheap glove and ball for backyard play
- You want a fun first-baseball gift
Skip it if
- Your child plays coach pitch with hard balls
- Your child is 7 or older
- You want a glove that lasts several seasons
- You need adult or teen sizes
What you get
The Meshtek is sold in tee ball sizes (about 8.5″ to 9.5″) and several colors, in right-hand and left-hand throw.
Key specs
| Spec | Franklin Meshtek |
|---|---|
| Size | About 8.5″–9.5″ (tee ball) |
| Shell | Technical mesh |
| Palm | Soft, no break-in |
| Hand-formed for kids | |
| Includes | Soft foam ball |
| Amazon rating | 4.7★ (5,844 ratings) |
What 5,844 buyers say: the box score
Amazon groups review mentions by topic. Here is the Franklin Meshtek box score as of October 2026.
| TOPIC | WHAT BUYERS SAY | MENTIONS |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Fits small hands well | 90 |
| Suitable for beginners | Great first glove | 90 |
| Value for money | Low price, good quality | 73 |
| Softness | Soft right away | 43 |
| Functionality | Works as a real glove | 25 |
| Durability | Holds up for a season or two | 24 |
| Appearance | Kids like the colors | 16 |
| Ease of use | Split: easy for most, a few kids struggle | 40 |
The takeaway: seven positive topics and only one mixed. The mixed ease-of-use notes mostly come from kids at either end of the age range.
Who it fits
Fit and beginner suitability tie for the top topic (about 90 mentions each). It suits ages 3 to 5 best. A few parents of older kids say it feels small or too floppy, which matches its design.
Softness vs protection
The mesh shell is what makes it so easy to close, but it also offers little padding. That is fine for foam and soft tee balls. When a league switches to harder balls, move up to a padded glove like the Franklin Shok-Sorb.
Durability
Durability is a positive topic (24 mentions). For a glove that will be outgrown within a year or two, it holds up well.
Franklin Meshtek vs the rivals
Franklin Meshtek
Franklin Air Tech
Franklin RTP Kids
Franklin Teeball Set| Glove | Rating | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Meshtek | 4.7★ (5,844) | Ages 3–5 | Soft mesh, ball included |
| Franklin Air Tech | 4.7★ (2,296) | Ages 3–4 | Softest, for toddlers |
| Franklin RTP Kids Tball | 4.7★ (1,115) | Ages 4–6 | More structure |
| Franklin Teeball Glove + Ball Set | 4.6★ (1,528) | Ages 3–5 | Budget gift set |
See every option by age in our best Franklin kids baseball gloves guide.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Soft, no break-in needed
- Fits small hands
- Ball included
- Low price
- Thousands of 4.7★ ratings
Cons
- Little padding for hard balls
- Outgrown by about age 6
- Too floppy for older kids
- Not for coach or kid pitch
Who should buy it
Parents of 3- to 5-year-olds starting tee ball or backyard catch. It is also a great low-cost gift.
Who should skip it
Parents of kids aged 6 and up, or kids in coach-pitch leagues with harder balls, should choose a padded or ready-to-play glove.
Check the Franklin Meshtek on Amazon →
Meshtek size guide
| Age | Glove size | Meshtek fit |
|---|---|---|
| 2–3 | 8.5″ | Good for backyard play |
| 3–5 | 9″–9.5″ | Ideal |
| 5–6 | 9.5″ | OK for soft tee balls |
| 6+ | 10″+ | Too small; move up |
If your child is between ages, think about the league ball. Soft balls: the Meshtek is fine. Harder balls: choose a padded glove.
How to teach a toddler to use it
- Start by rolling the foam ball along the ground so they can scoop it.
- Move to gentle underhand tosses from a few feet away.
- Teach them to “trap” the ball with the free hand on top.
- Keep sessions short, around five to ten minutes.
- Let them throw back. Kids love throwing even more than catching.
Why mesh works for little kids
Small hands don’t have the strength to close a leather glove. A mesh shell bends easily, so the child feels the ball land and can squeeze the glove shut. That early success keeps them interested. The hand-formed pocket also guides the ball into the right spot, which helps kids learn to catch with the pocket instead of the fingertips.
When to move up
Most kids are ready for a sturdier glove around age 6 or 7, or when the league starts using harder balls. Signs it’s time: the fingers fill the glove completely, the ball pops out on harder throws, or the child says the ball stings. The Franklin Shok-Sorb Teeball and RTP Kids gloves are natural next steps, and the RTP Pro suits kid-pitch players.
Care tips
- Rinse off mud with cool water and air-dry. Mesh dries quickly.
- Keep the foam ball inside the glove so it doesn’t get lost.
- Store it out of direct sun to keep colors bright.
Gift ideas with the Meshtek
The Meshtek with its foam ball makes an easy gift for a 3- to 5-year-old. Pair it with a Franklin Grow-with-Me batting tee and a jumbo plastic bat for a complete backyard starter set. Read our Grow-with-Me tee review for the honest pros and cons of that tee.
Our bottom line
With 5,800+ ratings at 4.7★, the Franklin Meshtek is one of the safest buys in youth sports. It is soft, cheap and easy for small kids to use. Just remember it is a first glove: plan to replace it when your child moves on to coach or kid pitch.
Right hand throw vs left hand throw
Franklin labels the Meshtek by throwing hand. “Right Hand Throw” means the glove goes on the left hand, for kids who throw with the right. “Left Hand Throw” goes on the right hand. With young kids it isn’t always clear which hand they prefer. Watch which hand they use to throw a ball or toy a few times; most kids show a preference by age 3 or 4. If you’re unsure, Right Hand Throw is the more common choice.
What parents say about the mixed “ease of use” topic
The only mixed topic is ease of use, with about 40 mentions. Most say it is easy for little ones. The few complaints come from two groups: parents of very young toddlers, whose hands are too small to control even a soft glove, and parents of older kids, who find it floppy. Both point to the same thing: the Meshtek is made for a specific age window, roughly 3 to 5. Inside that window, it works very well.
Meshtek vs Air Tech
Franklin’s Air Tech is the closest alternative, also rated 4.7★. The Air Tech is even softer and lighter, which suits 2- and 3-year-olds. The Meshtek has a little more shape, which helps 4- and 5-year-olds start using the pocket properly. If your child is at the younger end, choose the Air Tech; for preschoolers heading to tee ball, the Meshtek.
Is the Meshtek safe?
For its intended use, yes. It is light, soft and comes with a foam ball. The only safety point is the ball type: hard baseballs can hurt through mesh, so use soft balls until your child moves to a padded glove.
Got questions?
Frequently asked questions
What age is the Franklin Meshtek for?
About ages 3 to 5.
Does the Meshtek need breaking in?
No. The mesh is soft and ready to play.
Can you use a real baseball with it?
It is designed for soft balls. Hard baseballs can sting through the mesh.
Does it come with a ball?
Yes, a soft foam ball.
Which hand should I buy?
Right Hand Throw for kids who throw right-handed (glove on the left hand).
How we reviewed it
We did not test the Franklin Meshtek ourselves. This review is based on the Amazon listing and specs, the manufacturer’s information, Amazon’s review topic summary and what 5,844 verified buyers say, compared with similar products we cover. Ratings and mention counts are as of October 2026.
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