VIF Baseball
5× Norgesmester · 2× Seriemester · Stiftet 2022
5× Norgesmester · 2× Seriemester · Stiftet 2022
2026 buying guide - size, actual landed price in NOK, top models, and loaner gloves
A baseball glove is an investment of 1,000-4,000 NOK after shipping and customs - and there's no need to buy one before you know you'll keep playing. Every Norwegian baseball club has loaner gloves for beginners. Vålerenga Baseball lends gloves to all new Little League players, and the other clubs do the same.
A general guide - your child should try a few sizes
For adult players - size down by age
Deep enough to hide the grip, but not too big
Quick transfer - a smaller glove = faster move to the throwing hand
Extra long and scoop-shaped for catching throws to the base
A bigger pocket and longer glove for catching fly balls
A specialty mitt - padded and without finger separation. Youth from 31", adult 32-34.5".
Learn more about all nine positions on the field.
Actual models we recommend - landed price in NOK includes shipping and customs
First glove - light leather, pre-broken-in
Pre-formed pocket - kids can use it from day one with no break-in.
Light leather, MLB signature series (Lindor, Trout, Judge). Good weight for youth.
Extra soft leather - the fastest break-in of the three. Solid for kids ages 8-13. Be sure to pick the leather model, not synthetic.
Serious player - full leather, lasts many seasons
The industry standard for adults. Pro Stock leather, used by hundreds of MLB players.
The benchmark pro-grade leather. Takes break-in but gets better over the years.
Top model - for those who know they'll play for years
Wilson's top leather (Pro Stock Select). Tighter construction, holds its shape better.
Full-grain kip leather, the longest lifespan. What the most dedicated MLB pros choose.
Prices are estimates for the glove + international shipping + 25% VAT/customs landed in Norway. Actual price varies with the exchange rate and BaseballMonkey deals. See how we calculate landed price.
Short answer: borrow a leather glove from the club first, then buy leather once you know you'll keep playing. We don't recommend buying synthetic.
Synthetic gloves look cheap and convenient, but they don't close properly around the ball and the pocket loses its shape fast. The result is that kids learn bad catching habits - the ball pops out where a leather glove would have held it. For a beginner who's learning technique, this is the opposite of what you want.
A leather glove molds to your hand, closes properly around the ball, and lasts 5-10 seasons with care. Youth leather gloves start around 800 NOK - not much more than a synthetic, and the difference in how it plays is huge.
If 800+ NOK feels early, borrow one for free from the club while your child figures out whether baseball is for them. Once you're sure, buy leather directly. It's cheaper in the long run than buying synthetic first and leather later.
American flagship since 1887. Heart of the Hide is the industry benchmark for pro-grade leather. Heavier and stiffer than Wilson - takes more break-in, but becomes personal over time.
Best for: Players who want a glove that molds to their hand and lasts 5-10+ seasons.
A2000 is the number-one pro choice in MLB. Consistent pocket shape from glove to glove, more structured than Rawlings. The A2K is the same leather but more strictly selected.
Best for: Infielders and pitchers who want a glove that holds its shape game after game.
Japanese construction - softer leather and faster break-in. Lighter overall weight, more flexible than the American brands. The pro line is handcrafted in Japan.
Best for: Players who want the glove ready quickly, or who struggle with stiff American gloves.
In short: Rawlings if you want to personalize the glove, Wilson if you want consistency, Mizuno if you want to skip the long break-in. Other brands (Marucci, Nokona, Easton) are good too but have a smaller selection at BaseballMonkey.
The largest selection - ships to Norway. Expect customs and shipping on top of the price.
Many clubs have used gloves for sale or lend them out for free. Ask at the next practice - find a club near you.
XXL, G-Max, and Sport 1 sometimes carry baseball gloves - the selection is limited but fine for beginners. Check online first.
The hidden cost: shipping and Norwegian VAT on top of the USD price
BaseballMonkey lists prices in USD excluding VAT. Before you see the total, you need to factor in:
Tip for saving money: Order several things at once (glove + ball + helmet) - shipping won't go up much, but the VAT base is spread out. Also check whether your club places a group order - then you can split the shipping.
A warning about DDP retailers: Some American stores offer “DDP” (Delivered Duty Paid) where customs is paid at checkout. BaseballMonkey does not do this as of now - VAT comes from Posten after the package has shipped.
Use a baseball-specific glove oil or conditioner (Rawlings Glovolium, Wilson Pro Stock). Apply a thin layer with a cloth, let it soak in, and wipe off the excess. Too much oil adds weight and clogs the leather.
Put a baseball in the pocket, close the glove around it with a rubber band or string, and store it that way between uses. This keeps the shape stable and prevents the pocket from collapsing.
YouTube tips about “baking” gloves for faster break-in are a bad idea - the heat ruins the leather and makes it crack. Same goes for leaving it in the car window in the sun. Patience = a longer lifespan.
Not in a damp basement, not in an attic with big temperature swings. Indoor room temperature, a ball in the pocket, ideally in a cloth bag. A thin layer of conditioner before storage prevents drying out.
A well-maintained leather glove lasts 5-10 seasons for an adult player. Kids grow out of a glove before it wears out. Here are the actual signs that it's time:
Don't throw away the old glove: Use it as a backup glove, donate it to the club's loaner pool, or sell it on Finn.no (old A2000s hold their value surprisingly well).
Vålerenga Baseball lends gloves to all new players. Join Little League.