Franklin Sports Kids Baseball Gloves - RTP Youth Teeball Glo
✅ PROS
- Pre-broken-in RTP (Ready to Play) construction means zero break-in time — kids can catch on day one
- Small 9-inch pattern sized specifically for 3-7 year olds, not just a scaled-down adult glove
- Comes with a matching teeball, so it's a complete starter package
❌ CONS
- Synthetic leather won't hold up to competitive play past tee-ball level
- No adjustable wrist strap on some colorways, which can be tricky for very small hands
The Verdict
The honest scoop on the Franklin RTP Youth Teeball Glove
If you’ve ever watched a 4-year-old try to squeeze a stiff adult glove, you know the struggle — ball pops out, tears follow, and the glove ends up in the dirt. The Franklin Sports RTP Youth Teeball Glove exists specifically to solve that problem. It’s the glove you buy when you want your kid to actually enjoy catching, not fight their equipment.
What’s in the box
You get the glove itself plus a soft teeball — that’s it. No mitt bag, no extras. But the ball inclusion matters more than it sounds: it’s the right size and weight for tiny hands, so you’re not scrambling to find a ball that fits the glove’s proportions. As shown in the product image, the glove comes in a classic baseball tan with contrast stitching — nothing flashy, but it looks like “a real glove” to a kid, which is half the battle.
Build quality and real-world performance
The headline feature is Franklin’s RTP (Ready to Play) construction. This isn’t marketing fluff — the synthetic leather is pre-softened at the factory, so the glove is flexible right out of the box. Parents consistently mention this in reviews: “My son was catching balls within five minutes of opening it.” That’s the difference between this and a $15 Walmart special that takes weeks to break in — and for a 5-year-old’s attention span, weeks might as well be forever.
The 9-inch pattern is genuinely sized for youth players, not shrunk-down adult dimensions. The finger stalls are shorter and the pocket is shallower, which means kids can actually close it. One reviewer noted, “My 6-year-old can open and close it easily — his previous glove just flopped open.”
What buyers consistently praise
Across the 229 ratings (4.6 stars), three themes keep coming up:
- Immediate usability: “No break-in period at all. Perfect for a first glove.”
- Durability for the price: Several parents mentioned this surviving a full tee-ball season plus backyard play.
- The ball included: “Nice that it comes with a ball — we lost ours immediately and had a backup.”
Where it falls short
Be honest about what this is: a starter glove, not a long-term investment. The synthetic leather will soften further and eventually lose its shape, especially if left in a hot car. If your kid is 8+ or playing competitive kid-pitch, this won’t cut it — you’ll want a real leather glove in the $40-60 range.
Also, some colorways lack an adjustable wrist strap. If your child has notably small hands or between sizes, this can make the glove feel loose. Check the specific colorway’s listing photos before buying.
Who should buy this
- Parents of 3-7 year olds starting tee-ball or backyard catch. This is the sweet spot.
- Coaches who need loaner gloves for practice — buy two, they’re cheap enough.
- Anyone tired of fighting a stiff glove that makes kids hate the sport.
Skip it if your kid is 8+, playing competitive baseball, or you want a glove that’ll last until middle school. This is a stepping stone, not a destination.
FAQ
Q: Is this glove for lefties or righties? A: Both — you can order either throw hand. Just match it to the hand your kid throws with, not the hand they write with. Most kids under 7 haven’t established dominance yet, so watch which hand they naturally toss a ball with.
Q: How does sizing work? A: The 9-inch pattern fits most kids 3-7. It’s measured from the base of the palm to the tip of the index finger, along the inside of the glove. If your kid is between sizes, size down — a snug glove breaks in better than a loose one.
Q: Can this handle real baseballs? A: It’s designed for soft tee-balls. A hard baseball will sting young hands and wear out the synthetic leather faster. Stick to tee-ball or tennis balls with this one.
The Verdict
Buy it if you want a no-fuss, right-sized first glove that your kid will actually use this season. Skip it if you’re shopping for a serious young player who needs something that’ll last multiple seasons.
This is the rare case where the 4.6-star rating matches reality: it does exactly what it promises — gets a kid catching quickly — without pretending to be more than a starter glove. For under $20, that’s a solid trade.
Rating: 4.6/5 — Great starter glove, honest about its limits.
Where to Buy
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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.