Best Left-Handed Youth Baseball Gloves in 2026

Buying Guide

How to choose a youth glove size

Rawlings’ general sizing chart is a good starting point:

• T-ball (ages 3–6): 8.5"–10", all positions
• Youth (ages 7–12): infield 10.25"–11.5", outfield 11.5"–12.25", first base mitt 11.5"–12"
• 12 and up: infield 11.25"–12", outfield 12"–12.75", first base mitt 12"–13"

Treat these ranges as general guidance. Glove sizes are measured from the tip of the index finger to the center of the heel.

Why age alone isn’t enough

Two 9-year-olds can have very different hands, strength and experience. A glove that’s too big flops around and is hard to close, which leads to dropped balls and frustration; a glove that’s too small leaves the hand exposed. If your child is between sizes, younger and less experienced players usually do better with the smaller glove, while confident older kids can size up. Avoid buying a glove two sizes too big to “grow into.”

Hand size and fit

Have your child try the glove on (on the right hand for a lefty): fingers should reach close to the ends of the finger stalls, and the wrist strap should fit snugly. Youth-specific fits — Rawlings’ Youth Pro Taper, ContoUR Fit and narrow fits — have smaller hand openings so the glove doesn’t slip. Velcro or adjustable wrist straps help younger kids keep the glove on.

Position

Young kids often rotate positions, so a utility glove around 10.5"–11.5" is the safest choice. As players specialize, outfielders benefit from a longer glove with a deeper pocket, pitchers from a closed web that hides the ball, and first basemen from a dedicated mitt. Left-handed kids most often settle at pitcher, first base and the outfield.

Break-in requirements

Stiff gloves are hard for small hands to close. Rawlings rates its gloves on a player break-in scale — lower numbers are closer to game-ready. The youth Select Pro Lite, Sure Catch and Flex Palm gloves are rated 10, the Foundation Series 20, and the Heart of the Hide ContoUR Fit 35. Buy higher-end gloves well before the season so there’s time to play catch and work the pocket in.

Leather vs synthetic

Synthetic and very soft “starter” gloves are light, cheap and need no break-in, which suits T-ball. Leather gloves cost more but form a pocket, hold their shape and last longer, and quality youth leather is soft enough for young players to close. Every pick in this guide uses a leather shell; the Renegade catcher’s mitt in our adult guide pairs a leather palm with a mesh back.

Left-Handed Considerations

Why youth lefty gloves are harder to find

Left-handed throwers are a minority, so manufacturers make left-hand-throw versions of only some youth models, often in one size and one colorway. Popular sizes sell out first, especially before spring season. In our research, several youth models had a left-hand-throw option that was out of stock, including a Foundation Series youth first base mitt and an older Select Pro Lite first base mitt. Shop early, and have a second choice ready.

Ordering the correct throwing hand

Order by the hand your child throws with, not the one they write or bat with. A lefty thrower needs a Left Hand Throw (LHT) glove, worn on the right hand. Labels vary: some retailers say “Right Hand” or “Worn on Right Hand” for the same LHT glove, while Rawlings’ site asks “Which hand do you throw with?” Check the selected option says Left Hand Throw or LHT, and that the item number changes when you select it. If you’re not sure which hand your child throws with, watch them throw a ball a few times before buying.

Hand-me-downs and team gloves

Team bins and siblings’ old gloves are almost always right-hand throw, which forces a lefty to catch and throw with the same hand. It’s worth buying your left-handed child their own glove early, and labeling it — LHT gloves look very similar to standard gloves at a glance. For more sports equipment for left-handed players, see our guide to left-handed lacrosse sticks.

Before you order: a left-handed checklist

• The listing’s selected option says “Left Hand Throw” or “LHT” (worn on the right hand).
• The item number or SKU matches the left-hand-throw version.
• The size fits your child’s age, hand and main position — not just their age.
• It’s a baseball glove, not a fastpitch softball glove.
• The glove is soft enough for your child to close, or there’s time to break it in before the season.
• The retailer accepts returns on unused gloves in case the wrong hand arrives.

The Bottom Line

The most important step in choosing a lefty baseball glove for your child is ordering a Left Hand Throw (LHT) glove, worn on the right hand. After that, size for your child’s hand and position, not just their age. The Rawlings Select Pro Lite 11.5" is our best overall left-handed youth baseball glove, the Sure Catch 10.5" suits younger players, the Foundation Series 12.5" fits older kids, and the Flex Palm 11" keeps costs down. Lefty youth stock sells out, so shop early and double-check the item number.

Looking for more? Browse all left-handed sports guides.