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Most dads enjoy coaching baseball, and to do so effectively, you need the proper tools. Believe it or not, baseball gloves for dad-coaches can be significantly different from those on the field.
In fact, we get asked about the topic often: are there any hidden secrets to buying a baseball glove just for dads?
We thought about it deeply, and as a result did quite a bit of research on baseball gloves, filtered through the eyes of a father. With that, we offer this, our review of the best baseball gloves on the market, from a dad’s perspective.
Summary
- The Rawlings Player Preferred Glove Series tops our list for a number of reasons, including the guaranteed quality from a long-established brand.
- Low on price but not on quality, the Franklin Sports Field Master Baseball and Softball Glove is preferred by lots and lots of dads.
- The Miken Pro Series Slowpitch Softball Glove is our choice as a hybrid, usable in slow pitch softball as well as in youth baseball.
- As the best model most likely to be seen on TV, the Wilson A2000 Baseball Glove is an established and known high-quality piece of leather.
- Protecting the hand a top priority? Then look into the details for the Mizuno Franchise Series Slowpitch Softball Glove.
- For utility, meaning a glove for all uses, see the Champion Sports Physical Education Glove and its mesh shell with a thin leather in front.
- With its Akadema AHO224 ProSoft Series Glove, this relatively new company in this market continues to improve, this time with very soft leather.
- The Beoub Baseball Softball Glove gives dads a look (and logo) like no other out on the ballfields.
- For our lone Honorable Mention, check out the Unihoh Baseball Glove Softball Gloves.
Who Needs a Dad Glove for Baseball?
A baseball glove is advisable for any father who:
- Attends a lot of ball games with his son (or daughter); never know when you might get a chance to catch a foul ball!
- Plays baseball or softball deep into adulthood
- Coaches youth baseball or softball
- Just digs the annual father-son catch session
What to Look for in Baseball Gloves for Fathers
When Kids are Looking to Buy for Pops:
- Affordability
- Durability, e.g. quality of leather, so the glove lasts long to gather the most memories possible
- A unique color or color scheme making it harder to lose among all the other team equipment; or even lose around the house!
- Nice pocket designed to make catching easier
- Easy break-in
When Pops Buys for Himself:
- Heel and pocket padding
- Comfort inside, e.g. special finger or thumb straps
- Adjustable wrist strap
- Any other padding, such as under the wrist strap, or along thumb; padding = good
- Easy break-in
- Appropriate to use for both baseball and softball; hence, larger size such as outfielder gloves
Our Choices: Best Baseball Gloves for Dad for 2023
1. Best Baseball Glove for Dad for 2023 Overall ~ Rawlings Player Preferred Glove Series
Analysis
This high-quality glove is suitable for both baseball and softball, which right off the bat is classic for the dad who coaches girls fastpitch softball but plays slowpitch softball with his friends. But beyond that, we really like the Rawlings Player Preferred Glove Series (see Amazon) for a number of reasons.
To start, this model is nicely priced considering the features and quality. After that, take you pick: the full-grain oiled leather shells make for fast and easy break-in efforts; plenty of padding inside to protect old joints and ligaments; and an adjustable strap to ensure comfort while remaining easy to take on and off (important for coaches at times).
Specifications
- Weight: 1.19 lbs.
- Web Style: Multiple to choose from ~ basket web (which looks like basket weaving); pro-H; or single post double bar web
- Material(s): Full-grain leather
- Break-In: 20% player vs. 80% factory
- Special Feature: ZeroShock Palm Padding
What We Like
- Model-specific palm padding to protect old hands
- Game ready right off the shelf or out of the box
- Solid brand name ensures quality and durability
2. Best Baseball Glove for Dad on a Budget ~ Franklin Sports Field Master Baseball and Softball Glove
Analysis
We honestly do not know how this manufacturer keeps this baseball glove model so low-priced. The Franklin Sports Field Master Baseball and Softball Glove is perfect for the dad who plans to coach but not manage; who will use it with the kids and not (slowpitch teammate) adults.
Due to that affordability, this also is a wonderful glove for fathers of children who are young and still deciding whether or not they like the game. Why spend in the triple digits for a glove if Junior quits after a single year?
To top it all off, the Field Master is available in a range of colors and color groupings, including 2-tone!
Specifications
- Weight: 1.83 lbs.
- Web Style: Trapeze or basket
- Material(s): Synthetic leather
- Break-In: Easy (non-leather)
- Special Feature: Contour Fit System (CFS) to customize thumb-adjustment
What We Like
- Easy break-in
- Affordable pricing
- 90-day limited warranty
3. Best Baseball Glove for the Softball-Playing Pop ~ Miken Pro Series Slowpitch Softball Glove
Analysis
On the other end of the spectrum is the dad willing to invest in the glove he plays slowpitch softball in, and also just happens to use it while coaching kids. The Miken Pro Series Slowpitch Softball Glove even puts what dad needs right in the model name! But don’t let that fool you, this glove is excellent for youth baseball too.
Any time you’re looking at a glove that has to perform well in softball, yet at least get by in baseball, the area to focus on is size. You don’t want a glove too small for baseball. This glove meets that need with its 13- and 14-inch options.
Something cool about having a big glove while coaching is, when you pitch batting practice, you can hold a bunch of baseballs in the glove while doing so! This is a fine baseball glove, with a price range in the middle of the pack. But we’re presenting the best baseball gloves, and not the cheapest, right?
Specifications
- Weight: 1.26 lbs.
- Web Style: Pro-H
- Material(s): Full-grain leather
- Break-In: 30% player vs. 70% factory
- Special Feature: Poron XRD pads for the palm and index finger (where the hardest impacts occur)
What We Like
- Advanced padding for areas of hand that take the most beating
- Non-slip, adjustable pull strap in back
- Specifically constructed for slowpitch softball play
4. Best Baseball Glove for Dads to Impress Other Dads ~ Wilson A2000 Baseball Glove
Analysis
If you’re looking at the Miken and the price doesn’t scare you, then maybe you want to go all in and really impress all the other dads and baseball insiders by getting the Wilson A2000 Baseball Glove. In fact, this model could have topped our list or at least place runner-up.
We might not even have to say anything more than Wilson’s special Pro Stock Leather here. It is durable enough to last many MLB games each season, yet still retaining the comfort preferred by folks who have a leather glove on their hand for hours at a time. There are a lot of very advanced features here to check out on your own.
(If the wife really doesn’t mind, go up another hundred bucks to get a Wilson A2K. Just don’t tell her we told you so). Note: infielders’ versions of these models are small gloves.
Specifications
- Weight: 1.48 lbs.
- Web Style: H-web
- Material(s): Pro Stock Leather
- Break-In: Easy
- Special Feature: Spin-control technology (dimpled pattern)
What We Like
- Quality enough for professional play
- Very soft interior lining with the ProLux Leather
- A model name you’ll see on players
5. Best Baseball Glove for Dads to Protect Hands ~ Mizuno Franchise Series Slowpitch Softball Glove
Analysis
You get pretty good quality at a really nice price with the Mizuno Franchise Series Slowpitch Softball Glove. As with other top models here, the manufacturer is keenly aware about how dads dislike the sting of baseballs on their palms and fingers.
Mizuno here uses its Parashock Plus Palm Pad, to somehow deaden the ball at impact and prevent sting. Also like some of the other models outlined above, the Franchise is specifically designed for softball play so here’s another option for those dads who play as well as coach.
Simple features like the Velcro wrist strap for easy adjustment or tightening add to this model’s allure, along with the quality pre-oiled leather. Not a bad selection at all!
Specifications
- Weight: 1.43 lbs.
- Web Style: X web
- Material(s): Pre-oiled Java leather
- Break-In: Game-ready
- Special Feature: HiLo (alternating) lacing for greater flexibility
What We Like
- Pre-oiled quality leather
- Nicely priced
- Detailed features like the HiLo lacing
6. Best Baseball Glove for Dads for Utility ~ Champion Sports Physical Education Glove
Analysis
Dads sure will stick out by going with the Champion Sports Physical Education Glove. That it does so actually should be a compliment; it shows a focus more on coaching and less on glittery logos.
What’s so different about this glove? Well, the exterior shell will appear not like anything in the models noted above. The back is a mesh pattern, simple in design and light in weight (for a reason as noted above: repetitive use). Instead of the classic all-mesh kids gloves, however, this one offers a soft leather in the front.
Extremely light in weight, not too costly in price, an adjustable wrist strap with Velcro, this model could be considered a “plain wrap” dad’s glove. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
Specifications
- Weight: 1.17 lbs.
- Web Style: I-post
- Material(s): Mesh shell, leather front
- Break-In: Game ready
- Special Feature: Mesh on exterior reduces weight significantly
What We Like
- Mesh exterior to cut weight and boost flexibility
- About as light in weight as you’ll find
7. Best Baseball Glove for Dads for the Pocket ~ Akadema AHO225 ProSoft Series Glove
Analysis
The Akadema AHO224 ProSoft Series Glove is a model by a relatively new manufacturer in this market, and it seems the models are slowly improving each time. The main attraction here is the company’s own very soft leather.
This glove is designed for baseball outfielders so it’s bigger than most, and the maker notes that it’s fine for softball play also. The deep pocket from the H-web is a nice touch, and this glove is ready for use as soon as you first put it on your hand.
Specifications
- Weight: 1.4 lbs.
- Web Style: H-web
- Material(s): ProSoft leather
- Break-In: Game-ready
- Special Feature: Silver Soft Series material for fit
What We Like
- ProSoft/Silver Soft series leather for a nice feel and fit right off the bat
- Deep pocket, game-ready immediately
8. Best Baseball Glove for Dads for a Different Logo ~ Beoub Baseball Softball Glove
Analysis
The big curving “B” at the base of the thumb tells everyone right away that this dad did not just grab a glove with a global logo right off the rack. The Beoub Baseball Softball Glove doesn’t yet have a ton of user reviews, but the ones posted so far are not bad.
In fact, some really like this model. The high-quality full-grain leather sure is a mighty plus, and the design appears solid. This glove model, too, is pretty much game-ready from the start.
Specifications
- Weight: 1.35 lbs.
- Web Style: I-post
- Material(s): Full-grain leather
- Break-In: 20% player vs. 80% factory (easy)
What We Like
- Eye-catching colorful design
- Finger pockets foam-filled for comfort and shock absorbing
Honorable Mention
Unihoh Baseball Glove Softball Gloves ~ A very affordable synthetic leather baseball glove growing in popularity and user reviews. This is the lightest baseball glove you will find at just 0.55 lbs.!
Related Questions
Question: What is “full-grain” leather?
Answer: The highest quality of leather for baseball gloves, aside from manufacturer-specific leather (See Wilson A2000). It just means the hair was removed and the hide is sent right away into the tanning process. The second-highest leather quality is “top grain” leather.
Final Words on Baseball Gloves for Dads
Looking into baseball gloves for dads means approaching the search from a slightly different perspective than those times when you’re buying a baseball glove for the kid.
A dad’s glove is more likely to get buried with the team equipment, or lost in the garage, because it is not taken carefully by a player along with other gear in a private carrying bag. The dad’s glove gets tossed around like any other piece of baseball equipment such as chest protectors and rubber bases.
For that reason, most dads appreciate durable construction, along with something to make it jump out among a pile, such as a bright color, or weird logo.
A final note: remember that youth baseball dads are not restricted by the rules, so a first baseman’s mitt style could very well be a great choice. It would hold more balls, have nice padding, and be bigger to help protect. Look for our review coming soon!
