Posted by Adam H on Feb 25th 2026

How Tight Should Baseball Glove Laces Be?

Why Lace Tension Matters

Glove laces control your pocket shape, web stability, and overall structure.

If your glove feels mushy, collapses on catches, or pops balls out, the laces are likely too loose. If it is stiff, shallow, and hard to close, they may be too tight.

Even premium gloves perform poorly when lace tension is off.

How Tight Should They Be?

There is no universal answer. Lace tension should match your position, playing style, and how you like your glove to close. The goal is controlled structure without making the glove stiff.

Infield Gloves

Infielders usually prefer slightly tighter laces to keep the pocket shallower and more responsive. This helps with quick transfers on double plays and short hops. If the laces are too loose, the pocket sinks deeper over time and the ball can stick, slowing down your release.

Tight perimeter and finger laces also help the glove hold its shape during fast exchanges.

Outfield Gloves

Outfielders often want a deeper pocket to secure fly balls at full extension. That usually means allowing a bit more give in the pocket lacing. However, the web and outer edges still need to stay firm so the glove does not twist or collapse on impact.

Too loose, and the glove feels floppy. Too tight, and you lose the depth that helps secure catches.

Pitcher Gloves

Pitchers need balance. The web should stay tight enough to maintain structure and hide grips, while the pocket should feel consistent from pitch to pitch. If the web laces loosen, the glove can shift slightly during hand positioning, which affects comfort and control.

For pitchers especially, even tension across the glove matters more than extreme tightness or looseness.

Signs Your Laces Are Too Loose

Ball pops out
Web feels floppy
Fingers bend outward
Pocket looks stretched

If tightening does not hold, it may be time to relace.

Signs They Are Too Tight

Hard to close
Shallow pocket
Leather creases awkwardly
Break-in takes too long

Over-tightening can shorten glove life.

When to Replace Instead of Tighten

Replace your laces if they are:

Dry or brittle
Cracked
Constantly loosening

Fresh leather laces restore pocket shape and structure immediately.

Final Thought

If your glove feels different, check the laces first. Small tension adjustments can completely change performance.

And if tightening no longer works, a full relace can make your glove feel brand new again.