Last Updated on December 24, 2023
A baseball glove is an important tool for a baseball player. Many students ask me “which are the best baseball gloves under $100”.
Last month, I went shopping with one of my rookies to guide him about the youth baseball gloves. We went through the best cheap baseball gloves as well as the right baseball glove for him. Don’t think low-priced baseball gloves are not perfect for the game. Our honest reviews will change your mind.
That’s when I decided to write this blog about the best baseball gloves under 100.
A glove features cushioned fingers, steerhide leather, and leather lacing. I will tell you where you can find the best baseball glove while buying baseball gloves.
Why And Who Needs Baseball Gloves Under $100
All people should not purchase baseball gloves under $100 for their playing. Only specific type of players and reasons. Let’s know the reasons and persons should use low budget baseball gloves.
1. Cost Effectiveness
High-end baseball gloves cost several hundred dollars. If you are new in baseball or you are purchasing for your child, low-budget baseball gloves are also perfect.
2. Entry-Level or Recreational Use
If you are not a professional player and play baseball only for recreational purposes, you can use baseball gloves under $100. Entry-level players don’t need high end materials and design baseball gloves to play perfectly.
3. Quality Improvements
Manufacturers have improved the production process and decreased the cost of producing baseball gloves. So, you don’t need to think that low budget baseball gloves are low quality.
Best Baseball Gloves Under $100
While considering the list, I tried to keep in mind different features like flex loop Velcro strap, double palm construction, and zero shock palm padding.
Besides, I tried to figure out the best brands right now for MLB and other league games.
Synthetic leather or full-grain leather, the right glove for young players are those baseball gloves that can give the player ultimate comfort while playing.
Before buying a glove you MUST know what size glove should you buy. Therefore we created a full guide on how to measure hand for baseball glove.
1. Rawlings Player Preferred Baseball Gloves (Budget-Friendly Leather Gloves)
If you are a fan of baseball or just looking into the accessories to hit your first ball with lumber or throw your first pitch, then you must know the name of Rawlings.
Keep in mind that this Rawling glove has been designed for recreational purposes and slowpitch softball. So, never purchase this for professional league. You can easily scoop up grounders and grab fly balls while playing.
This popular baseball glove has been designed with Basket Web. You know this type of webbing perfect for infielders, especially for middle infielders like second basemen and shortstops. You will get several advantages such as control, flexibility, visibility of the ball, and quick release of the ball.
There are different colors and many gloves in the series. But I preferred the full-grain oiled leather for my rookie.
That’s why it comes in first place on my list.
A catcher’s mitt is a special part of baseball games. The glove lengths should match the player and fit perfectly.The gloves have a length of 12.5 which makes them perfect for a hand to adjust easily.
With the velcro strap and the preferred length, this is one of the best budget gloves out there. You feel comfortable wearing this glove on your hand as it has adjustable wrist strap.
Besides, zero shock palm padding makes it a glove for the baseball, of the baseball, and by the baseball. You will not feel any sting or hit while catching the ball.
That’s why this is the best glove for me. And before other gloves, I tried to give the rookie this special outfield glove.
That’s why the player preferred the baseball glove over all the other elegant gloves.
Pros
- A good length for your hand
- It is a game-ready glove. You will get it mostly already break-in done.
- No pain to catch fly balls because of zero shock palm padding
- Adjustable wrist strap
- One of the best outfielder gloves
Cons
- It is a basic glove, not any elegant glove which will shine on the field.
- Inside materials are not preferred by everyone
Comment on Price
If you are looking for affordable baseball gloves under 100 dollar, then this is the best choice for you. A glove is durable with shock palm pads for catching the high-speed fly balls – all under $100. You should try it even once.
Rawlings player preferred baseball gloves are the best for beginners, while if you got the budget and want some advanced shining mitt, then go for Rawlings pro preferred series.
2. Franklin Sports Baseball Glove CTZ5000 12” (Best Outlook)
Franklin sports baseball gloves are my second choice as youth baseball gloves. There are many good quality baseball gloves under 100 from Franklin sports baseball gloves but I am particularly a fan of CTZ5000.
Though it is another old baseball gloves like the previous one, it is still popular for recreational, young, and entry level baseball players.
Franklin Sport’s CTZ500 series made with full-grain cowhide leather. That is why it is soft, durable, lightweight, and easy to break in. You can use this glove season after season for its premium black cowhide. You will feel dry, cool, and comfortable for its genuine leather.
The leather is chrome furnished. As a result, if you just go for the look, you will not be disappointed. It will look like stylish professional while playing.
Altogether it is a good baseball glove which, in my account, is a top-notch glove for youth players.
Pros
- Good for the look.
- Black cowhide also makes it very durable.
- Comfortable hands. Has double padding.
- Cheaper than most glove series from Franklin Sports
- Already 50% break-in done
Cons
- Best for infielders
Comment on price
The price is under $100. As an original cowhide leather mitt, it is durable and long-lasting. You can buy it if you have already passed 6 months on the field.
Franklin Sport's CTZ5000 has series of baseball gloves. So, any baseball players can choose their right gloves without sacrificing their choice. You can choose color, style, size, and more.
3. Wilson 2021 A500 Youth Baseball Gloves (Best Synthetic Glove)
When you look for the best baseball gloves then you must come across Wilson accessories. Wilson is a big name in the sports industry and their cheap or bugget-friendly baseball gloves have been perfect as youth baseball gloves for a long time.
One of the latest gloves from Wilson is the 2021 A500 glove.
This is a lightweight synthetic leather glove and one of the best cheap baseball gloves for youth.
H-Web design and shallow pocket will help the infielders with lots of flexibility, control, and visibility of the ball. You can also release the ball quickly to throw the ball at the right target.
This is one of the synthetic leather gloves I recommend for starters. Any rookie will feel comfortable with this double-palm construction perfect glove.
For more Wilson gloves, you can visit our blogs on Wilson gloves comparison.
Pros
- Double palm construction for deeper pockets and less shock
- Rolled dual welting for better grip
- Left-hand throws, as well as right-hand throws, are available
- Lightweight synthetic leather
- Attractive looks
- Best for starters
Cons
- Not all baseball players like synthetic gloves
Comment on Price
One of the best gloves for starters under $100. Certainly, the fielders’ and catcher’s gloves are both good at design and perfection.
Are you professional league players and used to use top class baseball gloves, then read our through reveiw on best baseball gloves
4. Wilson A450 2022 Baseball Glove Series (Best Pigskin Glove)
This is another great baseball glove from Wilson like the A500 but the difference between these two is the materials.
A450 uses a pigskin leather shell which makes it a little bit different from other baseball gloves on my list. I am going to elaborate on it.
Wilson A450 rather gives the soft embrace of pigskin leather.
But this kind of leather is not as durable as cowhide leather.
While with oiling and beating, pigskin is one of the softest leather types for baseball gloves, you cannot use it as a softball glove or baseball glove for more than a year.
So, it is perfect for young adults who are going to grow out of the size within a year or two.
After that, if he/she likes it, then he/she buys a new one or shifts to another kind of leather.
Key features also include an elastic wrist for a better fit in small hands.
Pros
- Full grain leather for better break-in
- Soft leather for soft embrace of leather
- One of the most popular player preferred baseball glove series for youth
- Good basket web design
Cons
- Not as long lasting as a cowhide glove
- It May need to change after a year or two
Comment on price
Simply, you can get it for under $90 or around. Best for comparability but not durability.
5. Mizuno MMX1205 Softball Glove (Budget-Friendly Pigskin Glove)
Another great pigskin softball glove is Mizuno MMX1205.
It is also one of the best cheap baseball gloves under 100 and can help a youngster to have the first go with the soft pigskin touch.
Although the MMX1205 softball glove is a series of good cheap baseball gloves but as it is pigskin leather, you may not have it as durable as kip leather or normal cowhide leather.
But it is indeed good for the first step as a new player in the diamond field.
So, you can try it. It is indeed budget friendly as a 12 inch glove.
Pros
- Full grain leather for a good outlook and good strength.
- The glove series is very popular for softball.
- Very soft and have a good grip.
- Totally budget-friendly.
Cons
- The glove is made out of pig skin, which makes it soft but less durable than cowhide skin. You may need to change it within a year or two.
Comment on Price
You can have it even under $40. Which makes it one of the most budget- friendly softball gloves on my list.
6. Franklin Field Master Softball & Baseball Glove (Budget-Friendly and Good-Looking Synthetic Glove)
Okay, this is another series from Franklin. But this series is super cheap baseball gloves.
Maybe one of the best cheap baseball mitts under $100.
The main difference with CTZ5000 is that this one is made out of synthetic leather with a contour fit system.
If you are looking for the best cheap baseball gloves then you should try to fit this one on your hand minimum for once.
Yes, it is synthetic leather but it has good durability, good look, black or golden. Break-in of the glove is super easy.
This is one of the cheapest gloves on my list. A good glove from Franklin sports must not be overlooked by any baseball lover.
Yes, certainly full grain leather gloves are the superior ones but synthetic leather gloves are good for starters and nobody can deny that.
If you are looking for a diamond pro steer hide then I would not recommend it. But if you are looking into gloves through a budget-friendly approach, then you must go for it.
Pros
- Synthetic parts for better durability
- Black or gold beautiful outlook
- The contour fit system gives a very good grip
- Hand foam pocket which gives the fingers, especially the index finger a good comfort
- Easy catch and miss does not happen because of less shock
- Break-in is already done beforehand
- You can use it as a utility glove from time to time
Cons
- Not everyone is a fan of synthetic leather.
Comment on Price
You can have the glove for under $50 which makes it a good choice as a synthetic glove from the famous brand Franklin sports.
Buyer’s Guide for Softball and Baseball Glove
You should keep in mind that not all gloves are the same. Every type of glove has its own need, want, and demand. Following are the parts to be considered while you are buying a glove for yourself or someone else.
Size & Type Of The Glove
A baseball glove is not just for the pitcher or the catcher. Mitt can be of four kinds. Depending on the nature of the mitt, size can differ.
It is a general idea that smaller gloves fit better on hands but it is not true.
- Infield gloves are smaller and used by infielders. Rather than catching the ball, their main aim is to provide quick passes from one player to another.
- Outfield gloves are used in the outfield. They are bigger in size and made to catch the balls easily. They have pockets deeper than other gloves.
- A pitcher’s glove is made for pitchers. They have pockets to hold the ball comfortably for the pitcher and throw without any problem. They have designs that closely hold the ball.
- Utility gloves come in different shapes and sizes. These gloves are used by those who change their roles in the field from time to time.
These are mainly different kinds of sizes and types of the gloves. You should know the role of the player for whom it is being bought.
Material
As I have shown already, materials differ from glove to glove. The right glove should have the right material according to your need. Leather gloves are best for durability and break-in. Synthetic leathers also have good durability. They are also easy to break in. But they are not as durable as leather gloves. But they have lower prices.
| Glove Type | Durability |
| Cowhide Leather | ***** |
| Artificial Leather | **** |
| Pigskin Leather | *** |
On the other hand, pigskin gloves are very popular for those who look for a soft touch. But they have less durability than other gloves.
You should choose the material according to your preference.
Pocket & Palm With Fitness
Pocket and palm both are important for a glove. You should be very careful when you make the decision of buying a glove on these points.
Deep pockets are for those who need a better grip on the ball.
The palm should be made with padding in such a way that it will not let the palm get shocked by the ball’s force.
Choose correctly to get the best out of the glove.
The right baseball glove for you should fit perfectly on your hand. Elastic band, contour fit or lining whatever the way to fit should be comfortable for you.
Choose the best baseball glove which fits your hand perfectly.
Break-in of a Baseball glove
This is a very interesting part of buying a baseball glove. A glove can be advanced break-in by the company. It can be 50-60% already break-in done or you need to completely break in the glove.
Let’s see my preferred method for the break-in of a baseball glove.
You will need a break-in set for the glove. I prefer Wilson Glove Conditioner Set or Hot Glove Set for the break-in.
Besides, you can also use just warm water, a yoga mat, and a baseball bat and ball.
If you got the glove wet, then you can also know how to dry a wet baseball glove from our blog.
First, pour warm water or conditioner on the glove. Then bend the thumb and the pinky keeping it on the mat. If you are using a kit then use the belt to bend them and keep tight.
Otherwise, beat them up with the bat or the stick. Beat again and again until they feel softer.
Bend the glove and open it.
Put the stick or the bat inside the pocket to make it deeper. Beat around the pocket.
Play catching some balls with it.
Beat the glove again and keep it for one day.
The next day beat again and play some catch with it and see the difference.
Many people do it for once and keep it as it is. But I prefer a two-day break-in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the good cheap baseball gloves?
Answer:
- Rawlings players preferred baseball gloves
- Franklin sports baseball glove CTZ5000 12 inch
- Wilson 2021 A500 Baseball gloves
- Marucci Oxbow M Type Glove
- Wilson A450 2022 Baseball Glove
- Mizuno MMX1205 Baseball gloves
- Franklin Field Master Baseball Glove
- How much does a good glove cost?
How much does a good glove cost?
Answer: A good glove can cost from $40-$500 depending on the material, brand and everything else. If it is a youth glove then it may cost lower. Pro gloves always cost higher.
How do pros break in their baseball gloves?
Answer: Pros break in their gloves with warm water. Some of them use kits or put the gloves in a microwave oven. Most recommended is to use conditioner and warm water.
Is an 11.5-inch glove too small?
Answer: 11.5-inch glove is small but it is the baseline length for the infield gloves. You can use it for the infield. Outfield gloves tend to be bigger than infield gloves.
Conclusion
Not all the high-end or highest-quality material gloves are best for you. Only the best material which makes you feel comfortable and fit on hand and lets you catch the ball without any problem is the best one for you. Even if it is not a high-priced one. So pick it up carefully and break in with enthusiasm. You only deserve the best for yourself.
Hello everyone. My name is Jason Butler, and I live in California, America. I was a professional AAA Minor League Baseball player. I lost my chance of playing MLB for injury issues, but I did not lose my love for baseball. I attended the coaching training program and am now working as a coach in a small school in San Diego.
I always love to share my experience and knowledge if that can help you. Play baseball, and stay fit.