History of Batting Gloves
Irving H. Franklin is widely credited as the father of the modern baseball and softball batting glove. Until he designed it and popularized it in 1983 with the help of then Philadelphia Phillies star Mike Schmidt, players either put up with the blisters or made do with a golfing glove.
After convincing a number of MLB players to adopt the Franklin glove, Franklin and Schmidt were approached in 1988 and struck up an agreement with the MLB to have their design become the official batting glove of the league. Today, the glove has trickled over to fastpitch softball and many of the sport’s players use Franklin gloves, thanks in large part to the superb shock absorption and grip that the gloves offer.
Softball Batting Glove Buying Guide
Softball batting gloves need to provide grip and dexterity. If you get the sizing right, your glove will protect you against sores and blisters.
To find the right size for you, measure your dominant hand from the base of your palm to the top of your middle finger. Different companies size gloves differently, but as a starting point, a hand measuring 6.5 inches long will fit in a men’s small glove. Anything larger than that will encroach the medium-large range. Anything smaller than that, you may need to consider a women’s cut or a youth size glove.
One key consideration to keep in mind is leather versus synthetic batting gloves. Leather batting gloves feel more natural on the skin and offer stronger grip. If you're after comfort and flexibility -- and also want a glove that's easy to clean -- synthetic gloves are your best bet.
Best Softball Batting Gloves
The best softball batting gloves don’t feel too snug, but deliver great support and comfort. Here are some of the best options available right now.
- The Easton HF VRS glove: has seamless padding that's proven to minimize shock and vibration
- DeMarini Superlight: with its specially designed pads on the finger and heel, this glove helps reduce sting from even the hardest pitches
- The DeMarini Digi Camo: has a soft-lined interior and an exterior made of supreme leather for added comfort
- The Mizuno Finch: includes the Padded Mizuno ShockPalm to absorb impact and reduce vibration
