Can you use a baseball glove for softball? A baseball glove is a smaller glove compared to a softball glove. The baseball glove is smaller because the baseball is smaller in size compared to a softball.

Baseball gloves can be used for softball. Outfield baseball gloves are better suited for softball because they have more surface area to catch the softball. Infield baseball gloves do not have the surface area to handle the large softball.

We break down the pros and cons of using a baseball glove for softball and why you’ll want to purchase an outfield glove.

Are Baseball And Softball Gloves The Same?

Baseball and softball gloves are not the same.

The first reason is that the baseball glove is much smaller than a softball glove. Small gloves mean the ball will barely fit into the baseball glove. This is crucial for outfielders who need the entire palm to secure the pop fly.

The additional 3 inches on the ball may not seem much, much larger than the 9 inches of a baseball. In perspective, pitchers in baseball can throw curveballs using three fingers. Even players with large hands must throw the softball with all five fingers to ensure accuracy in softball.

Wearing A Baseball Glove While Playing Softball

Wearing a baseball glove for softball may be tough to squeeze the actual softball. Having a smaller glove can be beneficial in spinning a double play when playing the infield. However, playing the outfield may be tough to catch the football with the small circumference.

If you’re a former baseball player and make the transition to softball, it will be easier to wear a baseball glove and spin the ball in the infield, like how you would wear a smaller glove in baseball to get the ball out as quickly as possible.

Although it’s great to have a small glove to get the ball out quicker, there is a higher chance the ball will “snow cone” out of it.

What is a snow cone in softball? It’s when the ball slips out of the mitt, and it either falls out or stays just barely in the top of the glove, resembling a snow cone.

A smaller glove and a bigger ball have a higher chance of having snow cone plays, resulting in errors. This is the downside of wearing a baseball glove for softball.

Can Outfielders Wear A Baseball Glove While Playing Softball?

They can, but we wouldn’t advise it—the more room to catch the softball, the better. Having a smaller glove only results in a higher chance of snow coning the ball or having it pop out.

Small baseball gloves trying to catch bigger balls require precise timing to squeeze and secure the ball into the mitt.

However, a larger glove presents more opportunity for the ball to fall securely into the mitt for a secured catch. We recommend outfielders stay away from the baseball glove while playing softball.

See Our Complete List Of Helpful Softball Articles Here.

What’s The Difference Between A Baseball Glove & A Softball Glove?

The main difference between a baseball glove and a softball glove is the size of the mitt. The glove can accommodate the softball size because the softball is bigger in circumference ( by 3 inches).

The main difference between a softball glove and a baseball glove is the inches of the ball-catching surface. Because the softball is bigger than a baseball, it must accommodate the large area of the softball, thus being larger.

Softball gloves typically measure 14″ & 13″ inches. Baseball gloves will measure at 10-12″ and anywhere in between. This is the main difference between the two gloves.

What Are The Best Softball Gloves?

Wilson A360 Slowpitch Glove

This glove is a great starter slow pitch glove as it has a closed weave web and is available for both rights and left-handed throwers. It comes with a standard 14″ pocket; however, if you want to shrink the size down ( if you’re in the field or even have a smaller hand), a 13″ glove is available.

The best place to purchase this glove for a relatively low price is through Amazon.

Franklin Sports Softball Mitt

The Franklin softball glove is a great option for softball players of all ages because of its durability. Easy to break in, adjustable thumb strap, and it has a wide variety of purchasing options.

They have a 12″, 13″, and a 14″ basket web glove available for players with all different hand sizes.

We found the cheapest Franklin glove here on Amazon.

Louisville Slugger 2019 Xeno Fast Pitch Glove Series

The last glove on our list is for the more advanced player. The Louisville Slugger 2019 Xeno Fastpitch Glove is a stylish glove equipped with memory foam that wraps the wrist lining.

Louisville Slugger offers a 13″, 12″, and a 33″ inch glove for catchers who need to secure the ball during fastpitch.

The Louisville Slugger 2019 Xeno Fast Pitch Glove can be found here on Amazon.

HOW TO TELL IF A GLOVE IS FOR BASEBALL OR SOFTBALL

A softball glove tends to be a little thinner and easier to manage for the hand. Softballs on average reach speeds around 80mph. In the softball world, a lot of gloves have a Velcro strap to help tighten the glove on the wrist. That is one of the biggest giveaways in how to spot a softball glove.

Most gloves will also have “softball” printed on the glove to help spot the difference.

The catchers mitt for softball is the most noticeable difference between baseball gloves and softball gloves. Catcher’s mitts are built like tanks with a lot of extra padding to help compensate for the extra velocity.

A softball catcher’s mitt is built sturdy to help with the demands of the position, but the large webbing is still intact to help with the larger softball.

So, if you’re a weekend warrior playing with some friends and you want to use your baseball glove to play softball, have at it. If you’re a serious softball player, shop for a softball glovedesigned specifically for the larger softball.

Conclusion

Baseball and softball gloves vary due to the size of the softball. Baseball gloves may be used for softball purposes, but the risk of the ball popping out of the glove heightens.

Also, softball gloves are not the best for baseball games because a larger glove will help secure a smaller ball. When playing the outfield or infield in baseball, it’s key to have a “feel” for the ball, as it needs to be caught and transitioned out of the glove as fast as possible.

If you’ve completely retired from the game of baseball, we recommend spending a few dollars on the cheaper options we’ve listed above to get a new glove. It will be worth it in the long run.

Above is information can you use a baseball glove for softball.   Hopefully, through the above content, you have a more detailed understanding of can you use a baseball glove for softball .Thank you for reading our post.