The first thing that you should probably ask yourself is what position you play.
If you are a middle infielder, we tend to suggest gloves that are around eleven and a half and eleven and three-quarter inches.
Most infield gloves tend to have a shallower pocket. So, if you play a shortstop or second base, you want to be able to get the fall in and out in a manner where it is fast.
Now, getting that perfect infield glove from the market may not be as easy as you think. We had to consider many things to come up with the following suggestions.
Our Top Pick: Wilson A2000 Baseball Glove
This glove is made of the highest quality pro stock leather that offers superior feel and rugged durability. The H-web design ensures you have ultimate ball control.
Top 5 Best Infield Baseball Gloves 2021
1.Wilson A2000 Baseball Glove – Overall Best Choice
Introducing the Wilson A2000, a high-quality glove that is made of heavy-duty American steer hide leather. It features state-of-the-art craftsmanship.
Key Features:
- H-Web infield model
- Web base is double laced
- American steer hide leather
- Flat finger binding
- Numerous color options
What We Like
This glove is made from the renowned American steer hide, which is a material that is preferred by professional players for its unmatched feel and rugged durability.
It has rolled and skived thin pro stock leather, which provides you with a quicker break-in and long-lasting shape right out of the box.
The glove has an ultra-breathable wrist lining, which is a great feature because it helps to repel moisture, thus keeping your skin dry and cool.
This model also has reinforced bar and added length for extra stability. Another great feature is the availability of many color options to choose from.
What We Don’t Like
The only likely problem you may encounter with this model is receiving the wrong size. You might order a size 12, but you end up receiving a 12.5.
Pros:
- Made of supreme leather quality that beats the competition
- Available in a wide range of sizes even for small hands
- So many colors/patterns to choose from for preference
- It has supreme thumb support and protection
- Highly breathable and wicks moisture to keep your hand dry and cool
Cons:
- It is possible to receive a wrong glove size
- Possible to receive a used product
Overall Rating
It may take time to break-in, which indicates that it is made of high-quality American steer hide leather. This is a resourceful and long-lasting choice.
2.Raw lings Gamer Glove Series
Introducing the most versatile model that can be used for infield, catcher, first base, outfield, and pitcher, the Raw lings Gamer Glove.
Key Features:
- Made in the United States
- Soft shell leather
- Padded pigskin thumb loops
- Pro style pattern
- Both right and left handiness available
What We Like
This model features a pro-style pattern with a reinforced bottom grid, which is great because it allows you to easily shape the pocket.
We appreciate the padded construction (reinforced palm pad and padded thumb loops) because they improve cushioning for effective impact protection.
The rawhide leather laces are super strong and very durable. They will not succumb to damage very easily even after repeated use.
Another great feature is the break-in at eighty percent, which means the glove is game-ready and it would take roughly twenty percent for the player to break-in.
What We Don’t Like
It is possible to receive a model with dry and cracking laces. Also, the available sizes for this glove may not be an ideal fit for adult males.
Pros:
- Great quality leather material that’s highly durable
- Suitable for different positions, including infield and outfield
- Available in two sizes and color options for preference
- Superior cushioning improves impact protection
- Extremely durable rawhide leather laces
Cons:
- May not be a good fit for adult males with big hands
- Some packages may come with dry or cracking laces
Overall Rating
If you are looking for a model that you can use on different positions apart from the infield, then this is the model to look for.
3.Mizuno MVP Prime Baseball Glove Series
The Mizuno MVP Prime Baseball Glove has a design that has passed the fit and feel of professional players with its bio soft leather material.
Key Features:
- Made of bio soft leather
- Versatile right and left handiness
- Professional level lace design
- Available in many different color options
- Available in six different sizes
What We Like
This glove is crafted from bio soft leather, which is a smooth professional style leather material that offers a perfect balance of softness and oil for a superior feel.
This model has professional lacing in it that is like the lifeblood of the glove, which is going to help this glove maintain its shape for a long period.
With color-pop cosmetics and unique pocket webs, you are sure to set yourself apart from the pack and feel like a big-league player.
You will appreciate the center pocket design, which is naturally centered under your index finger to make break-in more versatile and quick.
What We Don’t Like
Some models may have large gaps in the webbing, which is a serious design flaw since a fastball can easily go through and injure a player.
Pros:
- Very soft, comfortable, and highly durable leather
- Top-quality lacing offers professional durability
Center pocket design allows for quick and easy break-in
- Multiple sizes and colors are available
- More than enough padding for improved comfort
Cons:
- Possible to receive models with large gaps in the padding
Overall Rating
This uniquely designed glove offers you unmatched versatility and performance with its bio soft leather design and professional lacing.
4.Raw lings Sandlot Baseball Glove
If you are looking for a baseball glove that is trusted by Big League Field players, look no further than the Rawlings Sandlot.
Key Features:
- Made of oiled pull-up leather
- Conventional open-back design
- Pro I web pattern
- Zero shock palm design
- Vintage feel and look
What We Like
This glove is constructed out of Raw lings’ full-grain oiled pull-up leather, which comes with a ninety percent factory break-in so you can gain game-ready feel from day none.
Inside this model, the brand has applied its flagship zero shock sting reduction technology, which when combined with the index finger pad gives you that added protection.
It features the heavy-duty pro I web pattern along with a conventional open-back design, which provides you with a sleek, classic overall appearance.
The lacing on this glove is certainly professional and very durable. It does a great job of holding all the parts of the glove together.
What We Don’t Like
The pro I web design on some models appear to have large gaps, which may lead to an injury.
Pros:
- Oiled leather is highly durable
- Comes with 90% factory break-in, leaving you with only 10%
- Offers exceptional comfort, thanks to the cushioned finger back lining
- Zero shock palm padding adds extra protection
- Many different colors/patterns to choose from
Cons:
- Some models may have large gaps on the webbing
Overall Rating
It is one of the few synthetic leather gloves that are good for the money. It takes no time to break-in and the built quality is good.
5.Franklin Sports Baseball Infield Glove
The Franklin Sports Baseball Infield Glove combines the brands sleek all tan or all-black color scheme with a very popular, superior synthetic construction.
Key Features:
- Made of soft synthetic leather
- Contour fit and adjustable wrist strap
- Hand formed pocket
- Left and right handiness
- Easy and quick break-in
What We Like
The glove is crafted of a premium, thick leather material, which is a great choice and affordable because it mimics the quality as well as the durability of true leather.
It has a contour fit system that is admired by most professional players, which allows for customizable thumb adjustment during use.
All Fieldmaster series, including this glove, have a ready to play construction. This is great because it takes no time for the glove to break-in.
Another great feature is the left and right handiness. This allows you to choose either a right-hand throw or left-hand throw version.
What We Don’t Like
The thirteen-inch glove may be small for a man’s hands. Also, the synthetic leather is not extremely breathable.
Pros:
- Affordable choice for a tight budget
- Decent built quality that will last you a long time
- Available in both left and right-hand orientation
- Highly customizable thumb adjustment for convenience
- Available in three different colors
Cons:
- May not be the best fit for large hands
- Material used isn’t handsomely breathable
Overall Rating
Out of the box, the Rawlings Sandlot screams versatility and durability with its oiled leather design and zero shock palm technology.
Buying Guide
Before we get into the details of choosing a high-quality infield glove, we would like to remind you that the infield position works best with smaller gloves compared to the outfield position.
What Size is Appropriate?
The most basic aspect is usually gloved size. Therefore, infielders, whether you are a second baseman, shortstop, or third baseman, you need a size that will fit comfortably after break-in.
Usually, an 11.25 is the smallest and they can range up to a 12 or a 12.25, depending on how big the third baseman wants to go.
In most cases, the second baseman normally has the smallest glove (11.25). As a second baseman, you want to have the shallowest pocket because you are receiving throws from shortstop.
Shortstops normally go for middle sizes from around 11.25 to 11.75 inches. We know some shortstop leaguers may go for a 12-inch glove, but that may be a little bit.
As a third baseman, you can use an 11.25-inch, but that may be small for some people. So, we recommend at least an 11.5-inch glove. You can go all the way to 12 inches.
Different Web Patterns
Once you are decided on the ideal size, the next important consideration is the web, which helps with the control of the ball.
Several web designs are ideal for infielders, including I-Web, H-Web, cross-web, Basket Web, and Trapeze Web.
The most common web design among infielders is the I-Web, which is going to give you a shallow pocket. It is one of the most ideal choices for second baseman and shortstop.
The I-Web has an open design, which is suitable for the ground balls. When scooping a bunch of dirt with the ball, this web design will ensure that all the dirt falls out and only the ball remains.
The second popular web design is the H-web, which most people say it is a medium web. But we think it is a little bit deeper.
The H-web design is mostly recommended for the third baseman. We know there are a few shortstops like Corey Seager who uses the H-web.
The H-web will give you a medium to medium-deep pocket, which helps to eliminate unwanted baseball spins.
The next popular web design for infielders in the cross-web and its variants, including the laced cross-web. They offer some of the deepest pockets on the market.
This web design is very popular among third basemen, but they are also used at second base and shortstop. Most big-league players use the cross-web.
Backs and Wrists
Whether the area behind your wrist is open or closed back depends entirely on your position and personal preference.
Most infielders perform best with the open back design, which provides superior flexibility. Also, you need to choose a glove with versatile closure.
We usually a D-ring or Velcro fastener, due to their versatility.
Final Words
Our overall best choice for infielders is the Wilson A2000 Baseball Glove. The H-web design makes it very easy for you to secure the ball and eliminate unwanted ball spins.
The double lacing of the web improves durability. Another great feature that should make you choose this model is the dual welting, which allows for long-lasting break-in.
With the right buying info and a little practical knowledge, we believe you are ready to make your first purchase. Always consult your coach in case you are confused.
