Franklin Sports MLB Teeball Flex Series Batting Gloves
✅ PROS
- Genuine leather palm provides solid grip on bat without being sticky or slick
- Flex Series design uses four-way stretch mesh that actually breathes — hands stay dry in summer heat
- Reinforced thumb and index finger stitching survives a full teeball season of dragging on dirt
❌ CONS
- Sizing runs small — parents consistently report ordering one size up from normal shoe size
- Velcro wrist strap is functional but on the narrow side; older kids may find it less secure
The Verdict
The honest truth about youth batting gloves
Most kids’ batting gloves fall into two sad categories: cheap vinyl that rips in a week, or overpriced pro-style gear that a 7-year-old will lose by Tuesday. The Franklin Sports MLB Teeball Flex Series sits in the sweet spot between them — and at 4.7 stars across 235 ratings, parents clearly agree.
What’s in the package
You get one pair of batting gloves, sized specifically for teeball-age players (roughly ages 4–8). The construction is straightforward: a genuine leather palm for grip, a four-way stretch mesh back for flexibility, and a reinforced thumb that can handle the ground drag most young hitters do. No tags, no packaging fuss, no extra laces — just the gloves.
How they perform in the dirt
The leather palm is the star here. It gives a confident grip on a composite or aluminum bat without feeling sticky, and several reviewers noted their kids could finally stop death-gripping the bat and just swing. The mesh backing does real work too — one parent mentioned their son’s hands were “bone dry after a 90-minute practice,” which is more than most adult gloves can claim.
Durability is where these surprise. The reinforced stitching on the thumb and index finger held up for a full teeball season of ground contact, and the leather didn’t crack or peel at the crease points. A few reviewers reported going through two pairs per season, but that’s with kids who play multiple times weekly.
What buyers consistently praise
Parents love the value-per-dollar here. One verified purchase wrote: “My son has tried three other brands and these are the first that don’t slide around his hands mid-swing. The grip is perfect for little palms.” Multiple reviewers also called out the breathability — a big deal when you’re sitting through a summer tournament day. The design looks sharp too, with the MLB branding and clean colorways reading as “real” gear to kids who care about that sort of thing.
Where they fall short
The sizing is the biggest recurring complaint. Franklin’s size chart maps glove size to age, but parents report the gloves run small — several said they should have sized up based on their child’s shoe size instead. If your kid is between sizes, go bigger.
The Velcro wrist strap is functional but narrow. For older kids at the top of the age range — say, 7-8 year olds with wider wrists — it doesn’t wrap as securely as on younger players. It won’t fall off mid-swing, but it’s not a locked-in feel either.
Who should buy these
- Parents of teeball and coach-pitch kids (ages 4-7) who want real leather grip without spending $30+
- Coaches looking for a reliable backup pair to keep in the team bag
- Anyone tired of replacing $12 vinyl gloves every three weeks
Skip them if your kid is 9 or older (you’ll need the adult or youth XL sizing), or if you need a glove with a full clamshell closure for maximum wrist security.
FAQ
Q: How do I know what size to order? A: Measure your child’s hand from the base of the palm to the tip of the middle finger. Compare that to Franklin’s size chart, then order one size up if they’re between sizes. Many parents report success matching glove size to shoe size.
Q: Can these be used for baseball, not just teeball? A: Yes. The grip and protection work fine for coach-pitch and machine-pitch baseball through about age 8. After that, you’ll want a larger size with more wrist support.
Q: How do I wash them? A: Hand wash with mild soap and cold water, then air dry flat. Don’t machine wash or tumble dry — it breaks down the leather and mesh.
The Verdict: 4.6/5
Buy it if you want a legitimate leather-palm batting glove that survives a full season of teeball without costing a fortune.
Skip it if your child is between sizes and you don’t want to deal with a return, or if they’re already playing with a full-size bat that requires more hand protection.
These are the rare youth gloves that respect both your budget and your kid’s hands. Just order a size up.
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.