| A baseball glove is a glove made of leather that | | | | serves as a better target for pitchers. |
| baseball players wear to help them catch the ball | | | | Pitcher's gloves have closed webbing. This is to |
| while out on the field. During the late 1800s, | | | | allow them to grip the baseball without letting the |
| players began using the gloves while playing | | | | batter see what pitch he plans to throw. |
| baseball. At first glove usage was not accepted | | | | First basemen's mitts are very long, and the |
| by some players. They slowly gained popularity as | | | | fingers are not separated. These gloves are also |
| more and more players began using gloves. | | | | wider than the rest of the other gloves. This is |
| By mid 1890s the majority of baseball players | | | | functional because the position requires them to |
| were using baseball gloves. During the early days | | | | be able to scoop up badly thrown balls. |
| baseball gloves were nothing more than a leather | | | | Outfielder's gloves are usually long. This will help |
| glove with a little extra padding. Since then, the | | | | them catch fly balls on the run. This is in contrast |
| functionality of baseball gloves has grown | | | | to the infielder's gloves, which tend to be smaller. |
| significantly. Not only have they grown in size, but | | | | The smaller size allows players to be able to easily |
| they have become more specialized, depending on | | | | field ground balls and quickly throw them to first |
| the position played by the person wearing the | | | | base. |
| glove. | | | | The gloves used today have changed from their |
| Catcher's mitts are wider than fielder's gloves, and | | | | original beginnings. Players today now enjoy the |
| are shaped more like a claw. They also have | | | | luxury of using equipment that will enhance their |
| extra padding, allowing them to catch a 90+ mile | | | | ability to compete at a higher level in this sport. |
| per hour fastball. The width of these gloves also | | | | |