Batting glove size guide: measure your hand, then check fit

Step by step

1. Choose the chart first

   Find the brand, model range, and youth/adult/fastpitch chart. Read its measurement instructions before taking a measurement.

2. Measure as directed

   For the Rawlings method, measure from the base of the palm to the middle fingertip. Use the units stated in that chart.

3. Compare both fit and chart placement

   If near a boundary, compare the neighboring sizes or ask the maker. Avoid guessing a new size from age alone.

4. Try the grip position

   Close your hand around an appropriate bat handle and check the palm, fingers, and cuff for comfort and excess material.

Why a fielding-glove number will not help here

Batting gloves are hand-worn apparel, while the inch label on a fielding glove describes the equipment’s reach. An 11.5-inch infield glove does not imply an 11.5-inch batting-glove hand measurement. Use the correct kind of chart.

Brands may also divide their ranges differently. A youth large, adult small, and women’s small are not automatically equivalent. Check the model’s actual chart instead of treating a shared size word as a shared physical fit.

Measure carefully before ordering online

Measure without guessing from a previous season’s pair. Growing players and worn or stretched gloves can make the old label an unreliable reference. If your hands differ noticeably, check both and ask the manufacturer about sizing rather than forcing an assumption.

Franklin provides a printable hand-sizing chart and specifies printing it at the intended page size. A printout that has been scaled to fit a different sheet can give a misleading result. Follow any scale or print instructions included with the chart.

Check fingers, palm, and cuff separately

A comfortable finger length does not guarantee the palm is a good fit. In a grip position, look for material that gathers awkwardly beneath the fingers or palm. Also check that the glove does not pull painfully across the knuckles when you close your hand.

Fasten the cuff as intended and move the wrist normally. If the closure has to be forced simply to keep the glove on, compare another size or cut. A more expensive cuff design cannot rescue an otherwise unsuitable fit.

Buy for the current hand and handle

Use the bat handle and grip thickness the player actually expects to use. A substantial grip change can alter the feel of the combination. Our bat-grip guide explains that equipment choice separately from hand size.

Check returns before buying a personalized or final-sale pair. We would settle fit with a normal retail version first when possible, rather than making a custom order the first trial. Choose materials and cuff features after finding the size that the player can wear comfortably.