# MLB and batting gloves

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-batting-gloves/727065>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [August 5, 2015, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-batting-gloves/727065 "2015-08-05T14:52:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-batting-gloves/727065/1 "2015-08-05T14:52:49Z")

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A batter gets on base and immediately removes his batting gloves. Wouldn’t the gloves provide protection in the case of a slide at the next base? They probably have another pair in case they get dirty. So, why do they remove them?

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**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-batting-gloves/727065/2 "2015-08-05T14:56:09Z")

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Batting gloves protect the back of the hand from getting hit by pitches, the palm is light material to keep a good grip on the bat. Once on base they put on sliding gloves with a heavy palm.

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**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-batting-gloves/727065/3 "2015-08-05T14:59:32Z")

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Everyone else removes them, so it wouldn’t be cool to keep wearing them. The latest trend is to wear an oversize “mitt”, not a fielding mitt, designed to protect your hand while running bases.

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**Author:** ![Fear\_the\_Turtle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_the_turtle/32/2926_2.png) [@Fear\_the\_Turtle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_the_Turtle)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-batting-gloves/727065/4 "2015-08-05T15:19:47Z")

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Used to be guys would take them off, but keep them in their hands to force themselves to make a fist. Less chance of jamming a finger sliding into a base.

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**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-batting-gloves/727065/5 "2015-08-05T15:30:59Z")

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Batting gloves won’t provide \*that \*much protection in case of a slide. All you’ll do is tear them up, so might as well take them off.

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**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-batting-gloves/727065/6 "2015-08-05T23:13:18Z")

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Batting gloves provide protection to the palm from blisters as a result of ten thousand swings over a year.

On base they are taken off and held I each hand (by some) to keep the fingers in a first during a slide.