Fastpitch catchers

Fastpitch catchers softball gloves are very similar to their baseball counterparts, except they tend to be larger and have less padding. Softball catcher's gloves are measured in circumference rather than length, as the catcher uses the glove to create a target for the pitcher. These gloves usually measure from 32 to 34 inches but can be as large as 35 inches, and they have closed web patterns and feature slightly less padding. Since a softball is so much larger than a baseball, fastpitch catchers need extra space normally taken up by padding to be able to trap the larger ball and not let it go.