Another Way to Wear a Baseball Glove?

Rob Tong of Youth Baseball Edge, shares what comes as a surprise to him - another way to wear a baseball glove.  Well, there was one variation, putting your hand in the glove and either leaving the index finger out of the glove or putting it all the way in.

Rob noticed that most pro-baseball players do not slide their hands all the way into a glove, rather they leave the palms of their hand outside of the glove, that's right outside of the glove.  Rob shares images of players like Cubs SS Addison Russell, Tigers' second baseman Ian Kinsler and Giants' second baseman Joe Panik, to name a few.  Even catchers and pitchers seem to wear their gloves the same way with the palms outside of the glove.

Here are some reasons why they wear them the way they do:

• creates a smoother hinge action with the glove
• makes the glove an extension of fingers
• it helps to create an air pocket so balls stingless

In order to regain control of the glove fingers, players:

• put both their pinky finger and ring finger into the pinky slot of the glove
• put their middle finger into the ring finger slot of the glove
• put their index finger in the middle finger slot of the glove

Consequently, the index finger slot is empty, anyway most players who put their entire hand in their glove, typically leave their index finger out of the glove.

How is this applied in younger players?  With youth players, the dilemma lies in that their fingers are more often than not shorter than adult players,though they may fit into adult size gloves.  Rob suggests that, "youth players who are comfortable catching balls to give this method a try".  If they are unable to open and close their glove comfortably, the wait it out until they can. If they are able, you should consider switching over to this method.  Each player is unique and there is no age or grade level that this change can be implemented, but rather use an individualized evaluation.

For images, greater details and comments:  Pro Tip: An Advanced Way To Wear A Baseball Glove

Check out:  Future Stars Baseball Camps

Image Credit:  Future Stars Photos