So, the other day I was messing around with my gear and this question popped into my head: can I use a softball glove for baseball? I mean, they’re both gloves, right? Figured I’d give it a shot and see what happens.
The Experiment Begins
First thing I did was grab my trusty softball glove and a baseball. Right away, I noticed the difference. The softball glove is way bigger, with a deeper pocket. It felt kinda clumsy holding a baseball in it, like trying to catch a marble with a bucket.
I started with some easy throws. No problem there. The bigger glove actually made it easier to snag the ball, even if my throws weren’t perfect. Felt like I had a giant net on my hand!
Moving to Catching
Next, I had my buddy chuck some harder throws at me. This is where things got interesting. The baseball would kind of rattle around in the softball glove’s pocket. It didn’t feel as secure as it does in my regular baseball glove. I could still catch the ball, but it wasn’t as clean.
- The Bigger Pocket issue when catching: the softball glove’s large pocket made catching baseballs feel “loose”.
Fielding Grounders
Then, I tried scooping some grounders. Again, the extra size of the softball glove was noticeable. I felt a bit slower and less precise. It was harder to quickly transfer the ball to my throwing hand because, my hand must get deep into the pocket.
- When fielding Grounders: The glove’s size made fielding grounders a bit clumsy.
My Conclusion
So, here’s the deal. After messing around with it for a while, I figured out that, yeah, you can use a softball glove for baseball, especially if you’re just playing catch or having fun. But, and this is a big “but,” it’s not ideal.
If you’re playing in a real game, or trying to be competitive, stick with a baseball glove. You’ll have more control, a better feel for the ball, and you’ll be quicker on those transfers. The softball glove just feels too bulky and awkward for baseball, at least for me.
That said, if all you have is a softball glove use it first! It’s better than nothing, I guess. That’s all I have to share about this experience, hope it helps!
