When famous baseball player, Yogi Berra, was in his prime, he owned a statement that most of us on the field could easily relate to: “Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too.” As a seasoned coach, I get to see that same passion that kids have for the game every weekend, but I’ve also had to face the look of disappointment on a few from not being well-prepared for a session.
Truth be told, there’s nothing worse than getting all geared-up for a game just to get blown off for not being properly packed. Matching outfits are cool, but the best gift any parent could give to their 4 or 5 year old is a well-picked out beginner baseball glove.
I get it; the work week is long and you’ve been too busy to sift through all the options in the stores. So instead, you unknowingly end up purchasing the smallest baseball glove there is – and the cycle repeats. It happens. But to save you the headache of a crying toddler, here’s a list of the top 10 best baseball gloves for 4 to 5 year old kids on the market right now:
Franklin Sports Meshtek - Most Comfortable Beginner Baseball Glove
- LIGHTWEIGHT: Constructed with lightweight mesh for...
- SOFT AND COMFORTABLE: Made with super soft...
- FOAM BALL INCLUDED: This glove comes with its own...
- GREAT FOR TEEBALL: This is the perfect first glove...
- NOTE: Left Hand Thrower glove, worn on right hand...
The Franklin Sports Store is dedicated to creating “official batting gloves for major league baseball.” And what better way to train the upcoming generation than with a line of well-cushioned baseball gloves to get them eased in! I can definitely vet for the quality of this product. I bought one for my nephew a couple months ago when he was starting our tee ball training season, and he refused to take them off for the entire day. The credit goes to the glove’s lightweight, synthetic leather and mesh material that provides extreme comfort and easy fit for youngsters.
The soft foam material of the design makes it simple to try on and pull out. With zero break-in time, this mitt is ready to go from day one on the ball field. The hand-contoured pockets and breathable modified trapeze web system make it easy to squeeze and optimal for teaching kids how to catch. What’s even better is that the 9” glove comes with a soft foam ball for practice even when the kids get back home. How about a Saturday in the backyard?
Take note that although the glove may say it is suited for a left-hand thrower, this should be worn on the right hand. As a first on our list, I’d have to admit that this selection from Franklin Sports really does guarantee the best performance for beginners – and at an affordable price.
Pros
- Suitable for 4 to 7 year old
- Attractive color assortment
- Soft material assures your child’s comfort
- No need for break-in time
- Easy-squeeze design is perfect for beginner catching and throwing
Cons
- Some parents confuse left-hand and right-hand glove placement
Mizuno Prospect PowerClose - Most Durable Baseball Glove for Kids
- Full grain pigskin leather: for great durability
- Butter soft palm liner: PU palm lining for...
- Mzo lining: disperses perspiration away from the...
- Air mesh back: increases flexibility &...
- Right Hand Throw= worn on left hand, left hand...
At the Mizuno company, there is a definite passion for merging innovation and design to suit every player – even the little ones. The Prospect PowerClose is a great youth baseball glove 4 year olds and above can use for extended periods. It is made of dense pig-skin leather that provides top quality durability to all its users. The high-grade material also makes it water resistant, so there’s no need to worry about your kids taking it to the bathroom straight after practice.
The glove comes within a wide range of sizes from 9” to 11.5”, making it suitable for any hand and any age level. This is also one of the more comfortable gloves in the stores this year. It has a soft ortholite palm padding for cushioning. This comes in handy especially for catchers and fielders to reduce the sting from the force of a ball that has just traveled through the air. Its air mesh backing makes it a good pick when searching for something flexible with ample breathability. The company has a custom lining that is designed to disperse and sweat from the skin for top performance and minimal slip. The glove is also made to include heel flex technology, a V-flex notch, and powerlock to reduce closing resistance and ensure secure catches.
Overall, this product from Mizuno has to be one of your top choices, especially considering its quality for reasonable pricing. At the end of the day, proper fit is great, but durability guarantees a longer-lasting investment.
Pros
- Perfect for beginner players
- Fits up to the average 7 year old
- Comfortable design
- Breathable make
- Easy to break into
Cons
- Users sometimes misjudge the glove size
Franklin Sports Youth Fielding Glove - Best Grip for Pitching
- SOFT AND LIGHTWEIGHT: The lightweight, soft mesh...
- READY TO PLAY: The soft palm construction means...
- HAND FORMED POCKET: The glove pocket is designed...
- BALL INCLUDED: This combo set includes a soft foam...
- NOTE: Left Hand Throw glove, worn on right hand to...
I love this series from Franklin Sports because it always seems to give the best grip, both on the live field and during practice. Beginner pitchers sure get a good kick out of this glove. The synthetic leather material is coupled by a neogrip design that makes it excellent for throwing winning balls.
Aside from its great traction, this tee ball glove is made of soft and very lightweight mesh material. This T ball glove is based with a comfortable, hand-formed palm construction for ease with every use. There is also a velcro strap included at the wrist area to help adjust its fit. The basket web system is made of intertwining leather fibres that increase its flexibility. This intricate design is also advantageous for keeping dirt out of the glove.
Although the description does claim to have no break-in time, some users have said that it took their child about 3 to 4 hours to get a suitable fit. Other than this, the product really is another one of Franklin Sports’ excellent baseball gloves.
Pros
- Soft, comfortable material
- Intricate basket web for great grip
- Dirt resistant
- Affordable price
Cons
- Some buyers find the foam ball included is too light
Franklin Sports RTP - Best Tee Ball Glove for Last Minute Games
- LIGHTWEIGHT: Constructed with lightweight PVC for...
- SOFT AND COMFORTABLE: Made with super soft...
- FOAM BALL INCLUDED: This glove comes with its own...
- GREAT FOR TEEBALL: This is the perfect first glove...
- NOTE: Left Hand Thrower glove = worn on right hand...
Franklin Sports strikes again with this lightweight beginner baseball glove. Its ready-to-play construction (RTP) guarantees zero break-in time, and makes it a great pick for upcoming games. I usually recommend this one for parents working on a deadline and in need of a new mitt for an immediate game. It is actually one of Amazon’s Best Selling products right now.
This 9.5” unisex tee ball glove is made with a soft mesh material to provide comfort and ease of wear for all players. It has a great quality for an affordable price and also includes a foam ball for practicing back home.
The wide range of colors available make it customizable and even more attractive for your learning tee ball player. It works best as a baseball glove 5 year olds can use but again, it depends on the size of your child’s hand.
Pros
- Instant fit due to RTP construction
- Comfortable design
- Great quality
- Reasonably priced
- Assorted color schemes
Cons
- A bit lose of smaller hands
Mizuno Prospect GXC105 - Most Flexible Catcher’s Mitt
- ButterSoft Palm Liner: PU palm lining for...
- Less 2 Lacing: Removes the last 2 lace loops on...
- Parashock Palm Pad: Mizuno's exclusive palm pad...
- PowerClose Technology: Makes catching easy for...
- PowerLock: Provides the quickest and most secure...
“For the players. By the players.” This slogan seems like the perfect fit for this selection from Mizuno as it provides optimum flexibility for young players based on trusted reviews from experts in the business. This tee ball glove comes in a size of 32.5” and is deemed a transitional catcher’s mitt. The PowerClose and PowerShock design provide versatility in fit and grip for both older and younger players. What is even more unique to this design in the Mizuno line is its Less 2 Lacing style that allows you to remove the last 2 laces or loops in its web to increase comfort and enhance the fit of the glove for its users.
Children particularly love this line because it comes in different authentic baseball designs. The leather tee ball glove also has a fast break-in time and a buttersoft palm liner for enhanced comfort and strength. The palm pad is also made with Parashock technology to absorb the hard impact of baseballs.
The glove is created specifically to improve performance but also to ensure protection of young players who are new to the field.
Pros
- Ideal for beginner baseball and tee ball players up to 12 years old
- Fast break-in time
- Increased flexibility
- Comfortable design
Cons
- A bit on the pricier side
Franklin Sports Air Tech Lightweight Foam - Best Beginner Baseball And Tee Ball Glove For Outfielders
- SOFT AND LIGHTWEIGHT: The lightweight, soft mesh...
- READY TO PLAY: The soft palm construction means...
- ADJUSTABLE WRIST: Designed with an adjustable...
- GREAT FOR Teeball: This is the perfect first glove...
- NOTE: Left Hand Throw glove, worn on right hand to...
Franklin has designed this baseball glove for beginners with a passion for fielding. Its T-web structure is created to securely connect the fingers and thumb of the player to increase their control of the ball upon impact. This makes it excellent for outfielding.
At 9” dimensions, the t ball glove is made with soft and ultralight material for best comfort. The base material is coupled with soft air technology in its shell and palm design for ease of use. It is ready for the field upon purchase with little to no break-in time needed. The outer shell is durable and helps protect the players on a rough field surface.
At a low price, this tee ball glove is best suited for left-hand throwers but also comes in a variety of colors to help personalize your 4 to 5 year old’s experience.
Pros
- Best suited for ages 2 to 8
- Detailed T-web structure helps with grip
- Minimal break-in time required
- Low price
- Assorted colors available
Cons
- Exclusive for left-hand throwing
Rawlings Players Series - Most Diverse T Ball Glove for Any Position
- DESIGNED FOR YOUTH BASEBALL PLAYERS | Ages 3-5
- EASY CLOSE | Soft pliable shell for young athletes...
- LIGHTWEIGHT VINYL | Textured vinyl to provide a...
- 9" BASKET WEB | Traditional Basket Web perfect for...
- RIGHT HAND THROW | Glove to be worn on left hand...
Rawlings promises to “enable participation by developing and producing equipment and protective apparel for professionals, amateurs, and entry-level users.” This is exactly the kind of quality that is reflected in their youth baseball glove series. The line is made with synthetic leather and durable, lightweight vinyl material designed for easy squeezing and closing of the mitt. Coaches across the board recommend this for beginners who have not gotten a feel of the field as yet. It provides children the opportunity to objectively choose which position best suits them as it serves any post on the field.
Its basket web pattern and pliable soft shell make it even more flexible and easy to close than the average mitt from this company and increases precision for pitching and fielding ground balls.
The 10” baseball glove comes in a wide range of colors for your 5 to 7 year old child to choose from, and is offered at an undeniably great price for such good quality.
Pros
- Versatile in use
- Great quality
- Great price
- Comes with soft foam ball for extra practice
Cons
- Some parents find the size a bit small for larger sized hands
Wilson A200 Youth MLB - Best Glove for Beginner Infielders
- H-Web construction
- Youth pattern
- Arizona Diamondbacks colors and logos
- Right Hand Throw = Left Hand Glove (Should be worn...
Wilson has committed their equipment and sports products to helping players “go much farther than they have ever before.” With their 10” H-web baseball glove, this company helps young baseball players aspire to become professional infielders from an early age. The detailed web structure helps increase players’ speed in gripping and retrieving baseballs.
It is made with a durable and flexible design that is suited for comfort. The gloves are created to be durable and include EVA technology that allows dirt to easily slip out of the mitt during use on real fields. Aspiring outfielders can also use this tee ball glove to get wet in their new position.
As a parent, you will also be able to engage your child in choosing a design with an official team logo that will even further instill their dreams of becoming a top league player.
Pros
- Good quality
- Great flexibility and grip for fielding
- Sturdy material
- Affordable price
Cons
- Requires break-in time, though not for a long period
Franklin Sports Air Tech - Best Beginner Baseball Glove for Learning Coordination
- 9" banded soft foam glove
- Durable soft foam AIR TECH outer shell
- Adjustable self-stick wrist closure
- Blue, red and silver in color
- Great fun for some of the youngest members of your...
The air tech outer shell of Franklin’s 9” soft foam baseball glove makes it comfortable and durable at the same time. It has an adjustable self-stick wrist closure and does not require any break-in time before use. All these factors give it a secure fit that will promote quick and easy learning of coordination skills on the field.
As with most of Franklin’s products, the glove comes with a soft foam ball for use both on and off the field on practice days. The glove is best suited for children of ages 2 to 8, although some parents do claim that the product is a bit large for tiny hands.
Be sure to remember that a left-hand thrower needs to use the glove on the right hand. This has been the most common mistake made with this tee ball glove.
Pros
- Good quality
- Reasonable pricing
- Good for developing coordination skills
- Long-lasting material
Cons
- Not the greatest fit for thinner hands
Franklin Sports Meshtek - Great Baseball Gloves for New Pitchers and Infielders
- SOFT AND LIGHTWEIGHT: The lightweight, soft mesh...
- READY TO PLAY: The soft palm construction means...
- HAND FORMED POCKET: The glove pocket is designed...
- BALL INCLUDED: This combo set includes a soft foam...
- NOTE: Left Hand Thrower glove, worn on right hand...
Franklin has designed this glove with a modified trapeze web and leather strapping that connect each side of the gear through specific interlacing for enhanced stability and hardly any slip during use. This makes it great for gripping when playing in pitcher or infielder positions.
The glove is 9.5” in dimension and has a soft mesh construction. It is very light weight and does not require much break-in time. The hand-contoured pockets guarantee that your child will have a snug fit with this baseball mitt.
Catchers may also use this glove to some extent to get acclimatized to the field and the game. It is ideal for new players between the ages of 4 to 7 years old. As a bonus, they get to choose what color glove they want to own from the range of selections provided online.
Pros
- Strong Material
- Webbing makes it great for pitching and fielding
- Good quality leather used
- Low pricing
- Bright assortment of colors available
Cons
- Parents sometimes have difficulty with the hand sizing
Our Buying Guide
These top 10 baseball and tee ball gloves for youngsters present a tight competition. If you’re still unsure which is the best pick for your child, take a look at our ultimate buying guide for all the tips and tricks to purchasing the right glove.
Fit & Size
Choosing a well-fitting glove is paramount to your child’s success as a player. The more securely fitted the glove, the more comfort and less likelihood of slippage there is. The best gloves for stable fit are those that are hand-contoured for the average size of a 4 to 5 year old hand. The Franklin Sports Meshtek Teeball Glove is best designed for snug fits with its hand-formed structure and soft mesh padding for enhanced comfort.
Brand
When buying a glove for a new player, it’s best to make a purchase from a company that has been in the business for years. Mizuno has been a sports equipment manufacturer for over a century. Starting in 1906, the Japanese brand has dedicated its years to efficiently providing proper gear at the highest quality for the very best performance of all players.
Different Glove Material
For beginner baseball gloves, synthetic leather is an excellent material to be used because it is both lightweight and very flexible. This helps young players to train at their best when it comes to gripping onto balls. Most gloves made with this baseline material are created for pitching. Franklin Sports Youth Fielding Glove is a great pick for this as it is specially designed for new pitchers.
Pig-skin is extremely durable and great for field work. In the event of scraping the pitch, your player will be sure to get off scratch free and ready to continue. The Mizuno Prospect PowerClose youth baseball glove is the ideal mitt when considering long-term uses.
Baseball Glove Sizing
To avoid going back and forth on what size will best fit your 4 to 5 year old, take a look at our trusted size chart for better insight:
| Age | Catcher | First Base | Second Base | Third Base | Pitcher | Outfield |
| 4-6 | 29.5”-30” | 9” | 9” – 11.25” | 9” – 11.5” | 9” – 11” | 9” – 12” |
| 7-8 | 29.5” – 31” | 9” – 12” | 9” – 11.25” | 9” – 11.5” | 9” – 11.5” | 9” – 12” |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a baseball glove for my child?
Be sure to select a glove that is not too snug but still fits securely to reduce the chances of slippage. Get a good, breathable and flexible baseball glove that fits around the fingers and thumb so that your child is comfortable throughout the entire game and won;t have to be distracted by a badly fitting mitt.
What size baseball glove does a 5 year old need?
Generally, 9” to 10.5” gloves are best suited for 5 year olds, whether they have just had their birthday or are about to score another year soon. This will provide them with ample space during games and also comes with the advantage of them being able to grow into their same gloves.
What size baseball glove does a 4 year old need?
9.5” baseball gloves are best suited for 4 year old kids and should usually suit about the average hand size.
Are Wilson gloves better than Rawlings for youth?
While Wilson provides excellent quality and intricately designed gloves for specific bases, Rawlings also makes its mark by providing a glove that can suit any position, all in one purchase. With years of experience Rawlings seems to understand the need to be able to switch things up for youth, especially now when their minds are so easily changed. You can easily get an all-purpose glove from this company that will suit any one of the many baseball dreams your child may have.
How to Make the Right Selection
Yogi Berra may no longer be with us, but he and many other pro-star baseball players have left a trail that demands to be filled by our upcoming youth. Why not encourage them at an early age to take up the opportunity to play? Baseball isn’t just about running around a pitch; the sport comes with passion and an amass of privileges to our children.
Get them engaged and send them out ready to take on the field with the right beginner tee ball glove. With so many options around, why waste time searching aimlessly when you could easily sit and pick the best baseball glove for your 4 to 5 year old child with them right next to you today.
If you’ve already had any successes with one of our top selections, be sure to tell us what you think in the comments below.
