As the years have passed, baseball has become more refined in every way. We now have dozens of metrics to measure a batter’s output at the plate. It seems as though we’ve cracked the code on deciphering how well a player can hit the baseball. This refinement has reached across statistics and has permeated the equipment space too. For example, Marucci is championing the use of the Balance Point Index to allow batters to quantify the “elusive concept of feel” within their bat.
However, the understanding of weight and feel's impact when it comes to baseball gloves is significantly behind that of baseball bats. As well, it's hard to gauge the market's interest in understanding the weight of gloves and how it can affect a defenders ability in the field.
Regradless of the curiosity of the market, come along with us as we journey to see if glove weight is something we need to be concerned about when shopping for baseball equipment!
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Glove Weight Research
In order to provide readers with numbers regarding glove weight, we performed a bit of research. We put together a collection of over 30 gloves and mitts and weighed each and every one. Our sampling covered every position on a field and ranged from youth fits to adult fits. As well, we mixed brand new, gently used and heavily used gloves into our research as well.
How Much Does A Baseball Glove Weigh?
The average weight of a baseball glove is right around 607 grams. That converts to 1 lb and 5 ounces (1.34 lbs).
We arrived at this measurement by taking the weights of the 30+ gloves and mitts we measured and finding the average.
To give some comparison to other baseball equipment, a 30 oz baseball bat weighs in at 1 lb and 14 ounces. Generally speaking, when you’re carrying around your glove or mitt, it will on average weigh about nine ounces lighter than a 30 oz baseball bat.
Average Weight of Different Gloves Based On Position
So that customers can have a baseline to consider for weights when they go to do their glove shopping, we have put together the averages for all positions on a ballfield (and we have also included “youth” gloves).
- Youth / Intermediate - 511.4 grams
- Infield - 566.4 grams
- Pitcher - 600.33 grams
- First Base - 630.33 grams
- Outfield - 666 grams
- Catcher - 787.6 grams
Not surprisingly, catcher mitts averaged the highest weight at 787.6 grams (1 lb & 11.7 oz) as they are constructed with the most padding. And as can be expected, infield gloves were the lightest of the positional gloves at 566.4 grams (1 lb & 4 oz) as they typically feature what would be considered “standard” padding and have the shortest lengths.
We included “youth / intermediate" gloves in this list of average weights because parents shopping for youth gloves can most often be heard asking for details regarding the weight of the glove they are about to purchase. On average, a glove intended for use by a young player will weigh 511.4 grams (1 lb & 2 oz). We believe that this question is asked so frequently because young players are considered by their parents to be lacking strength. Further, the parents believe that providing their player with the lightest possible glove will make the glove easier to maneuver and thus their player’s defensive performance will improve. At face value, this sounds like the correct sentiment to have when shopping for nearly any mitt.
What Percentage of Weight Difference Can Be Detected Between Two Gloves?
To find an answer to the question above, we’ll have to go all the way back to the German anatomist and physiologist who certainly never heard of baseball: Ernst Heinrich Weber. He was born nearly 250 years ago and despite his ignorance of the game of baseball, the psychological law bearing his name may help us find our answer. Weber’s Law helps assess a distinguishable change from an original baseline observation.
As we researched further on Weber’s Law, we discovered that finding a truly accurate answer would be difficult regarding the relationship between glove weight and fielding performance. If we hoped to find an answer, we would need to find an example of each type of glove listed earlier that weighs in at the average weight we listed prior (i.e. the baseline glove). We would then need to record qualitative data on a large population of players where they put on the baseline glove and then put on different gloves at subsequent weights that were heavier and lighter than the baseline glove. The research would collect when the players began to sense a difference in weight from the original. If the sample size was big enough, then we could probably infer the percentage of difference that needed to exist from the baseline glove for a player to perceive a difference in weight.
It seemed like for us, there was going to be no answer regarding the weight at which players would be able to detect weight differences from a baseline glove to lighter and heavier gloves. But we did come across an interesting bit of information that may be of some use to us in answering if there is a perceptible difference between glove weights.
Appalachian State University published a write up on Fechner's Law. This law was a follow up to Weber’s law and the new law was discovered by a pupil of Weber’s: Gustav Fechner. Like Weber, we bet Fechner knew nothing of baseball, but we’re thinking he may be helpful with finding an answer to our question.
In App State’s work, they included the following nugget:
“For small lifted weights…A 4% change will be just noticeable…100 and 104 gms are a [just noticeable difference] apart; so are 1000 and 1040 gms."
From the range of weights they provided in their example and the range of glove weights we are considering, it seems like there is some similarity from their example to our question. If the information provided by App State is universally accurate, we could infer that if you put on a glove that has a 4% difference in weight from the baseline glove, a player should be able to notice it.
Does Glove Weight Affect Fielding Performance?
And now we’ve arrived at the golden question.
Earlier we discussed the belief of most youth parents when searching for a glove for their player:
“[they believe] that providing their player with the lightest possible glove will make the glove easier to maneuver and thus their player’s defensive performance will improve.”
When something becomes lighter-in-weight, its portability definitely increases. If the change in glove weight is 4% lighter (or more), there is probably a good chance that the player will actually notice the difference in weight as well. As far as putting the glove in position to field a ground ball in an efficient manner, there is probably an advantage to having a lighter glove.
However, “fielding performance” covers a lot more than just “putting the glove in position to field a ground ball in an efficient manner”. To perform well as a defender, the player must also:
- Get in a position to field the ball
- Squeeze the ball when it comes into contact with their glove
- Pull the ball from the glove
- Throw it accurately to its intended target.
Having an easily maneuverable glove is only one part of the equation that determines if one is a good defensive performer in the field.
Further, it would take some truly extensive research to determine the amount of weight at which a player is no longer able to get their glove into a beneficial position for fielding a ground ball. In fact, the answer to this question may differ greatly from player-to-player.
Does baseball glove weight matter at all?
Yes, it does matter in the fact that lighter gloves are more easy to maneuver. And because of this, it is probably accurate to say that allowing your player an opportunity to feel different gloves will be beneficial to understand what feel (or weight) of a glove they prefer.
However, it is probably not necessary to think much about the exact weight of a glove. As well, it is probably not worth stressing over finding gloves that feature a 4% lighter weight than one that feels too heavy. If your player has had the opportunity to sample a few gloves on their hand and finds one that they feel is comfortable, be sure to trust their feel and go with that one. You can also reference our list of average glove weights for different positions and know what kind of weight you can expect for the type of glove for which you are shopping.
At JustGloves, we can help you out with sampling multiple gloves for your player to try out. Any glove can be purchased and put on once it is received in the mail. If the glove is determined to be the wrong glove and hasn’t been used with baseballs or softballs, you can always return it for a full refund. Because of this, you could purchase multiple gloves at the same time. And as long as no use has been made with a ball, all of the gloves could be returned for refund.
Further, you can purchase Glove Assurance on any glove. This allows you to pay an extra $30 for each individual glove that you want to use. You can then use the gloves with real balls after receiving the glove. All use is covered: games and practices. And if you decide it is not the glove for you within 30 days of getting it delivered, it can be returned for a full refund of the cost of the glove. Learn more about the program below:
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We hope that this write up has been helpful for you in understanding glove weight. Again, it is hard to say if the weight of a glove can truly make or break a defender, but when glove shopping, it is good to at least think about it a little bit. If you have more questions and want to talk with a Glove Expert, please LIVE CHAT with one right now!
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