Update January 2023: Since I wrote this post almost 3 years ago a few more players have started wearing hand guards to protect themselves at the plate. But there is still a long way to go to get all players protected and avoid injury. I think the lack of protection is due to a lack of good options on the market. Disappointed with options on the market and believing that not enough players are protecting their hands at the plate, I have decided to create my own model of protective batting gloves. They are the high quality, innovative, stylish and unlike anything else on the market. To check them out go to gauntletgear.com
Early in baseball history players did not use any protective gear at all. It was considered unmanly to use a fielding glove. Slowly but surely, beliefs changed as players realized the benefits outweighed the feeling of being a “tough guy”. Batting helmets were also considered unmanly until they were finally accepted in baseball, eventually becoming mandatory. The same pattern of acceptance also happened to helmet ear-flaps, batting gloves, elbow guards, shin guards and most recently helmet “C Flaps” to protect the cheek and jaw.
I believe the next piece of protective equipment that should be worn are protective batting gloves. Every year many baseball players break their hands, fingers and wrists getting hit by pitches. In my opinion, a lot of these injuries are preventable. Just in 2018, Justin Turner, Robinson Cano and Evan Longoria broke their hands getting hit by a pitch. Besides those three stars there are many countless lesser known professional players, college players, high schoolers and Little Leaguers who suffer the same injuries.
For professional players, time missed while injured can cost the team (and the players themselves) millions of dollars. Scholarship money and scouting opportunity can also be lost for amateur players while injured. Pain, suffering, medical bills and possible permanent damage are all negatives of being injured. So if you could possibly avoid injury, wouldn’t you?
I have personally been wearing protective batting gloves for several years now, when I play and I highly recommend them to all players. They don’t feel any different than normal batting gloves when you are using them, and they are not expensive. They come in a variety of colors and sizes just like normal batting gloves. There really is no downside to wearing them.
Evoshield, Louisville Slugger and others make gloves that have a pad built into the back of the hands, however all of these models are typically lacking in some aspect. None (besides Gauntlet) have the total package of fit, quality, feel, protection and looks. Even though they may not be the best solution, I would still recommend using them, as any kind of protection is better than nothing.
There are also external pads that you can buy, to wear on top of (or without) batting gloves. Franklin, Nike and Mizuno all make similar products to the picture below. The hand guards can do the job but they are more annoying and take longer to strap on. Also they can be bulky, heavy and get in the way. I prefer gloves with the pad built in, but these add on pads, can be a good alternative.
Having protection on your hands won’t prevent all injuries but it certainly will lower your chances of sustaining one. Nothing is worse than having to miss games because of an injury (especially one that could be prevented). Most likely you are already wearing batting gloves, so why not wear a pair that could keep you on the field? I guarantee once they are on, you won’t notice a difference when you swing. So go ahead and pick up a pair of gloves to try out. You will be lowering your risk of injury and will be a trendsetter, ahead of the curve.
I don’t know when they will catch on, but I predict that one day most (if not all) players will be wearing protective gloves.