I was watching the highlights of the Mariners-Angels game last night, and I saw the Angel’s RF Orlando Palmeiro make a diving catch, wearing the biggest baseball glove I have ever seen. They even commented on how large it was on baseball tonight - it was almost comically big. So my question is, how big can a baseball glove be, according to the rules? Can a guy go into the outfield wearing a glove the size of the one at PacBell Park, and just stand there catching everything?
I searched the rules online, but could only find a reference to carrying your own glove out into the field. There was plenty about the official size of the bat, but nothing about the glove.
Rules 1.12 through 1.15 explain the specifications for baseball gloves in excrutiating detail. Rule 1.14 discusses fielders’ mitts; in short, an outfielder’s glove cannot be larger than 12" tall by 7 and 3/4" wide. Check the rulebook (I found it at http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Bleachers/1203/rulesall.htm) for more specifics on how and where to measure.
Based on the link you gave me, it seems like Palmeiro’s glove was actually bigger than the rules allow…I wonder if we’ll ever hear anything about that, or if it will be one of those “unenforced” rules, like where the 1st and 3rd base coaches are supposed to stand…