Finding the right fastpitch softball first base glove isn’t always easy. You can’t just get any glove and make do.
In fact, though many call these things fastpitch softball first base gloves, they’re actually mitts and that means you get more padding and you don’t have glove fingers.
First, you have to remember that this is for softball, and it’s a sport that uses a bigger ball than what’s used for baseball.
A fastpitch softball first base mitt is actually designed for such a ball, while baseball gloves are meant for a smaller ball.
You also probably need first base female fastpitch gloves, since it’s a sport in which most of the players are girls and women. If you stick to baseball mitts, they’re meant mostly for men.
Finally, a fastpitch softball first baseman glove is specifically made for the 1st baseman position.
It’s a position that requires the player to catch every ball thrown their way every time a ball is put in play.
Next to the catcher, it’s a glove that the most often used during play.
This means it has to be durable and well-padded.
Fastpitch Softball First Base Gloves Reviews
So which mitts and gloves are the best? Based on our expert assessments and customer reviews, you can’t go wrong with any of the following:
NOKONA Alpha 12.5″ First Base Mitt: S-3H
Let’s start with the most expensive model on this list. For many, the price is worth it since you get a famous brand and all the premium build quality that implies. Nokona customer service is also topnotch.
This NOKONA Alpha 12.5″ First Base Mitt: S-3H Model Glove Can Be Found Here
Part of the reason for the price tag is that its design is actually versatile.
Yes, it’s designed for softball. But it’s also designed for baseball. What this means is that if the player plays both baseball and softball, she or he only needs a single glove.
Walnut steerhide leather is used for this 13-inch mitt. Its quality is superb, as the leather is very flexible and lightweight so it’s not tiresome to use.
This fastpitch softball first baseman glove comes with a fully closed web and a modified weave, which is good if you need the extra support that you get from that configuration.
It also makes it more flexible. The pocket is bigger than usual with a larger opening space, so that you’ll find it easier to catch the throws that come your way.
Here you have a closed back style with a tough hook along with a loop fastener on a D-ring. This means you can adjust the fit very easily and quickly, while you ensure a secure fit with its firm lock.
Louisville Slugger LXT Fastpitch First Base Mitt
- Dual post web
- Adjustable wrist strap
- Grey and metallic gold
- Full-grain Steerhide leather
- Female-specific patterns
Again you have a famous brand, and so it’s not so unusual to find premium leather on this 13-inch mitt.
What’s great is that it’s already been preconditioned, so that the break in period isn’t too long.
If you’re buying this as a replacement during the season, it’s still possible to use it soon after you get it.
Inside the leather, you have soft pigskin for the wrist lining.
It’s quite comfy, but it provides the support needed and it makes the fit more secure.
This uses a pattern that’s specific to women, which is a relief for softball players.
Also, it comes with a dual post web design that’s open so it’s lighter to carry and you have a deeper and more flexible pocket that can secure your catch.
What you have here is a mitt designed for a woman, and specifically for fastpitch 1st base play.
It’s very comfortable and the padding is ample even for multiple catches for every game.
It stays secure on your wrist, and you get all these benefits without a lengthy break in period.
Rawlings Liberty Advanced Fastpitch Softball Glove Series
- DESIGNED FOR FIRST BASE PLAYERS, this Liberty Advanced 13 inch fastpitch softball glove gives players the confidence to stretch, scoop, & field throws better than ever before
- IDEAL FOR AVID PLAYERS FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO THE PROS
- QUALITY FULL-GRAIN LEATHER adds durability and a comfortable feel
- PULL-STRAP CLOSURES allow each player to find the perfect fit to their hand
- Right Hand Throw = Left Hand Glove, Left Hand Throw = Right Hand Glove
This is the updated Gamer Series first base female fastpitch gloves, and it’s available in a smaller 12.5-inch size that may fit better for some women.
You have a basket web, and the palm pad has been reinforced with more leather so that your hand is protected for the continuous impacts of the throws.
Even the laces are made from Tennessee tanning rawhide leather so it’s stronger and more durable than usual laces.
Don’t think that all this strength makes for an uncomfortable mitt to wear. You get a very soft feel with the all-leather palm and finger back linings.
There’s also a thumb loop that’s nicely padded so it’s nice and soft.
The fit is customized to your hands, as you can adjust it easily with the non-slip pull strap back.
This mitt comes with patterns that are specifically geared towards fastpitch softball.
The overall quality is superb, and it’s par for the course for a famous brand like Rawlings.
At the same time, the price is actually very reasonable so you get wonderful value for money.
Shoeless Jane 13 Inch 1300FPFB Fastpitch Softball First Base Mitt
- MODEL – Fastpitch First Base Mitt is a youth model – 12”– for the ages of 13 and over
- MATERIAL & DESIGN - Special aged soft antique tobacco leather with traditional first base webbing, individually hand-cut and sewn
- INTENDED FOR - Professional break-in process, it is great for teenage and adult first base players
- FEATURES - Adjustable wrist strap, old-time classic-golden era look, keeps its shape and structure for many seasons
- FIT - Left-Hand Throw (Item goes on the right hand), Right-Hand Throw (Item goes on the left hand)
It may not be a very famous brand yet (though it’s certainly a clever variation of Shoeless Joe), but it won’t be for long before the brand makes its mark in the industry.
That’s certainly a safe bet judging from the quality and the features of this 13-inch 1st base mitt.
This fastpitch softball first base mitt uses 100% tough steerhide tobacco-tanned leather.
Like all the gloves made by Shoeless Jane, it’s been individually cut and sewn by hand, using special aged antique tobacco leather hides. These hides give a truly fantastic feel, and the leathery smell is also very memorable.
The glove has also been rubbed with traditional ingredients by hand. These ingredients really soften up the leather before the glove then goes through their break in process.
In the end, the glove looks how it ought to be—it’s beaten up and it looks like it’s already been sued for lots of games.
You just need to use it in your hand for a few days (or even a few throws) so that the inside really fits your hand—like a glove.
It’s been laced and oiled by hand too. The fit is nice and secure with the adjustable Velcro strap. It uses a single bar web that’s flexible and offer a deep pocket while it allows you to get the ball to your throwing hand.
Rawlings Heart of The Hide Fastpitch Softball Glove Series
- This Heart of the Hide 13 inch Fastpitch Softball glove is ideal for avid players from elite level travel ball to the pros
- WORLD-RENOWNED HEART OF THE HIDE BASEBALL GLOVE LEATHER is cut from the top steer hides
- STRONG, DURABLE, AND COMFORTBALE due to the Pro Grade leather laces and padded thumb sleeve
- CUSTOMIZED FIT provided by the improved pull-strap closures at the wrist
- RIGHT HAND THROW (Glove goes on left hand)| 40% FACTORY/60% PLAYER BREAK-IN allowing for a faster break-in period, creating that game-ready feel
Again here you get the Rawlings customary attention to details. This is designed specifically for the hand of a female player, so you don’t have to make do with bigger fastpitch softball first base gloves made for men.
This measures 13 inches, and it features a new pattern technology designed specifically for fastpitch softball.
It uses a full-grain oil-treated leather shell and a basket web, with an all-leather palm face that’s very durable and able to retain its shape. The laces are all leather.
That doesn’t mean that it’ll take you a long time to break it in, which is usually a problem for premium quality leather.
That’s because 80% of the break in has already been performed beforehand. Basically, the most you’ll need to do is to break it in to fit your hand precisely and comfortably.
It offers a custom fit, as you can easily adjust it with the non-slip pull strap back. The comfort is also greatly enhanced by the Poron XRD pads used for the palm and index finger.
With the adjusted hand openings and balanced patterns, there’s no doubt that this is a high performance mitt that offers premium comfort as well.
It’s also rather white, so you’ll have to be ready to see it get dirty over time.
Don’t worry about the dirt—its performance gets better as you break it in, and you’ll end up with a mitt that’s tough enough for even next season.
Did You Find The Perfect Fastpitch Softball First Base Glove?
So how do you find the right fastpitch softball first base glove?
- Check the brand name if you recognize it.
- See if you can afford it.
- Make sure it’s the right size.
- Look over the various features and see if it matches your preferences and needs.
- Read the customer reviews.
Or, you can take the easy way out and just pick one of the models here.
If you can afford it, the Nokona is certainly an excellent choice.
But either of the Rawlings will also be a terrific option.
Whichever fastpitch softball first base glove, you just have to be sure that it’s for a 1st baseman, it’s for fastpitch softball, and it’s for women.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API