Spring means baseball season. However, playing ball in the early part of the season can be a problem for many players. The cold weather may be less than ideal to play in, but there are ways to limit complications, such as wearing batting gloves. Let’s learn about the pros and cons of wearing batting gloves when you’re at the plate.
Pros
Added Layer of Protection
Whether you play for the university team or an intramural team, spring baseball games can be challenging. When the temperature is hovering around the freezing mark, putting a ball into play can sting any batter’s hands. For that reason, many players elect to use batting gloves. The added protection may prevent blisters from forming after extended batting practice. They may also reduce the chance of scraping your wrists after a sloppy slide into a base.
Better Grip
Some hitters believe batting gloves give them a better grip on the bat. A firm grip allows you to swing the bat confidently, especially when the weather heats up and you become a sweaty mess. If you don’t have a solid grip, the timing of your swing may be off. And even if you’re out of sync for only a moment, it could affect the outcome of the at-bat.
Shock Absorption
You may lose feeling in your hands due to the shock of a badly struck ball. That shock absorption is minimal when a player uses batting gloves, which absorb some of the reaction due to the added cushioning.
Cons
Less Feeling of the Bat
One reason why a player might opt out of using batting gloves is that it may be unnecessary. Batting gloves mean you won’t have a natural feel of the bat, particularly you’re using a wooden bat. Plus, most modern aluminum bats already have a thick grip, making wearing a pair of gloves seem redundant.
Not Good in Rainy Weather
There’s a reason why rain delays and postponements exist in the game of baseball: the quality of play becomes a shell of itself. A wet field, ball, or bat may lead to significant injury, considering a bat could easily slip out a hitter’s hands. Batting gloves are useful only when they’re dry.
Superstition
Baseball is a game that involves several superstitions. Professional ballplayers such as Wade Boggs and Nomar Garciaparra were fickle in their ways. One hot streak from five years ago might be why someone chooses not to use batting gloves; one may not want to use gloves because doing so could mess with their mojo.
Knowing the pros and cons of wearing batting gloves should provide you with the info you need to make a decision. If you do choose to wear them, choose something that’s comfortable, that fits naturally, and that has superior quality.
