A common sport for 7-year-old boys to play is baseball. It is a fun sport, and your kid’s friends all play it too I bet! It is a fun, relaxed sport with a lot of social opportunities. But how do we know what the right size glove is?
What size baseball glove do 7-year-olds wear? Seven-year-olds wear a size glove that ranges from 10.25″ to 12.25″ depending on their position. 1st base-men will need a glove that is 11.5″-12″. An Infielder will need a glove that is about 10.25″-11.5″. And an outfielder will need a glove that is about 11.5″-12.25″.
Glove size is a complicated thing to figure out it seems, but it is important for this fun sport that your 7-year-old loves.
So, it is time to learn exactly how to get the right glove for your kid and what is the best way to care for it.
How to Size a Glove:
Glove sizes can be a funky thing to try and figure out because different position types will have different sized gloves. Not to mention that age obviously can affect glove sizing as well.
Below I have included a chart that you can use to determine what size of glove your 7-year-old will need to play his favorite sport. Just compare his position to the youth sizes for this type of position and see the size range of glove he will need.
| Level | Age | Position | Glove Size |
| T-Ball | 3 – 6 years old | All Positions | 8.5″ – 10″ |
| Youth | 7 – 12 years old | 1st Base | 11.5″ – 12″ |
| Youth | 7 – 12 years old | Infield | 10.25″ – 11.5″ |
| Youth | 7 – 12 years old | Outfield | 11.5″ – 12.25″ |
| Adult | 12+ years old | 1st Base | 12″ – 13″ |
| Adult | 12+ years old | Infield | 11.25″ – 12″ |
| Adult | 12+ years old | Outfield | 12″ – 12.75″ |
This chart information is provided by the courtesy of Stack.com.
After you figure out how big the glove needs to be generally based on your kid’s position, then you need to look at gloves within those size specification.
The specific glove size, within the specifications, will depend on how big or small your kid’s hand is.
When the glove is being worn, you will need to make sure that it feels snug yet comfortable. Your kid needs to make sure he can comfortably close his hand, like when he is catching a ball, with the glove on.
Keep in mind that new gloves tend to be stiff before breaking them in, but with a few good rounds of playing catch, the glove will break in fine.
The glove can be loose because then while your kid is playing it might slip off his hand. It can’t be too tight because it could cut circulation in his had which wouldn’t be good either.
The glove should be a comfortable snug that will stay on without troubles.
How to Break in a New Glove
After you get your new glove, it is bound to be stiff and harder to use because of how newly manufactured and not used it is. To help fix this, you will need to break in the glove.
ow do you break in a glove? Fear not because I can tell you exactly what you need to know.
There are actually a few methods you can use to break in a glove which makes it super convenient and you can decide which you prefer.
Methods of Breaking in a Baseball Glove:
- Playing catch
- Steaming
- Manhandling
- Oils and conditioners
- Wraps
Now, just seeing the names of the types of breaking probably isn’t very helpful, I know, so I will explain each of them to you.
Play Catch
This is the tried and true original method of breaking in a new ball glove. Simply play catch for a while, making sure to really grab the ball with the glove, to make the glove loosen up a bit.
By gripping the glove as far around the ball as possible you will not only loosen up your glove, but you will also get the glove used to being morphed around the ball when you catch it and break in the pocket of your glove especially.
Steaming
Glove steaming is actually a common way of breaking in a ball glove. During this process, depending on where exactly you go, your glove is coated in a conditioner and steamed up for a while at a temperature of 150*F.
This process simply loosens up and relaxes the brand new leather of the glove, making it easier to bend and move. Sometimes people will even take a glove mallet and use that on the glove after steaming to help break it in even more.
Manhandling
This method of breaking in a glove involves a good glove mallet. This process basically consists of aggressively beating the glove with the mallet as if it were a ball and not the mallet.
Sometimes people will even beat the outside of the glove too and not just the inside to break in the glove even more.
This method has proven to work pretty well too.
Oils and Conditioners
Oil and Conditioner additives have shown to soften leather, but are not a great way to actually break in the leather otherwise. If you decide to use this method, make sure you use the glove products from your specific glove’s company.
This is to ensure that the treatment is successful and won’t destroy the glove. Using something that is not specifically meant for this purpose can ruin the glove.
Wraps
This is more of a continued breaking-in step but really helps to break in your glove and form a pocket.
For this method, you will need to fold your glove from top to bottom and from side to side to form that crease in your palm and break in the pocket of your glove a bit more.
After doing this you will need to close your glove in on itself and tie it up like this with some laces. Some people do this with a ball inside the glove and some don’t.
It depends on your preference.
Breaking in your glove, overall, no matter what method you use, is important for your glove to work and move properly to best benefit your game.
Just make sure that it is done correctly and as recommended by the professionals.
Related Questions:
What size softball glove do 7-year-old girls need? A glove size between 10″ and 11.5″ is generally best for this age group and sport. Make sure you get a glove that fits well though. Seek help from the employees at your local store if you need help.
