Couple of glove questions.

Gambler Bob · Sep 2, 2016

Couple questions here.

First, is there a difference between a boys baseball glove and a girls fastpitch glove? I see website list both categories but not sure if there is a real difference.

Second, had a parent ask me what size glove her daughter should be purchasing for next year. This is a 10u travel ball girl and is pretty good size, not what I would call fat at all but she does have some good size and she is a strong girl. She is left handed throw, and will be playing 1st base, catcher, and a little outfield (mostly catching and first base).

I was leaning towards recommending a 12.5" open web glove as a all around glove to play all three positions with. I understand there is a specific glove for all three position but that can get very expensive. Keep in mind she will go to a 12" ball next year also.

Eric F · Sep 2, 2016

Softball gloves tend to have narrower finger stalls than baseball gloves, but it's just fine to go with what feels best to the player. Confidence in your glove is important.

12.5" tends to be a good all-around size for fielders. Playing 1B with a fielder's glove is okay, but I do not recommend a catcher using a fielder's glove - especially at the travel ball level. It's asking for injury in a hurry, and I've seen it happen too many times. Even with catcher's mitt, I have seen girls get thumb joint bruises that put them out of action.

redhotcoach · Sep 2, 2016

My dd and I went to local sports store today to get or narrow down a new glove purchase. She wants a Wilson a2000. They had both baseball and fastpitch. The fastpitch felt "nice and snug" on her hand and too tight on mine. The baseball felt like a dream on my hand and she said she felt like a hard hit would knock it off of hers. She really liked the 2017 black and white a2000. I had told her I would buy her the black '15 on sale online or some vinci I was trying to convince her to like. The new $250 a2000 would require her to pitch in. She said "well if I am getting a good glove, it needs to look bad rear." They only had 12.5" so we came home and ordered 12".

Her current glove is 12.5 and has been fine as her primary spot had been catcher then where ever needed. Now her spot is 3rd and wants something smaller to get the ball out quicker. I like the open web as well.

Your dd being left hand throw, google "worth liberty advanced" there are some places online with last year's model left (switched to rawlings brand this year). Really nice glove. Most sites are asking $99 for the $190 glove.
Oh, dd is 16 if that helps for sizing.

Gambler Bob · Sep 2, 2016

Eric F said:
Softball gloves tend to have narrower finger stalls than baseball gloves, but it's just fine to go with what feels best to the player. Confidence in your glove is important.

12.5" tends to be a good all-around size for fielders. Playing 1B with a fielder's glove is okay, but I do not recommend a catcher using a fielder's glove - especially at the travel ball level. It's asking for injury in a hurry, and I've seen it happen too many times. Even with catcher's mitt, I have seen girls get thumb joint bruises that put them out of action.

Thanks for your response. I did not think of the injury aspect of catching with a regular glove (I should of).

That makes me think of another question. Should a travel ball organization be expected to purchase catchers mitts? Are team has 2 catchers, one throws right and the other throws lefty. The team fee's do cover leg guards, chest protector and a catchers helmet.

marriard · Sep 2, 2016

Gambler Bob said:
Thanks for your response. I did not think of the injury aspect of catching with a regular glove.

That makes me think of another question. Should a travel ball organization be expected to purchase catchers mitts? Are team has 2 catchers, one throws right and the other throws lefty. The team fee's do cover leg guards, chest protector and a catchers helmet.

It is unusual enough that team fees cover catchers gear and really unusual if they covered a glove as well.

10U you can buy some of the Mizuno brand catcher gloves for in the $60-65 range and they will be great for this age group. If you can afford to go up to $99 you should be able to find a deal on the Worth Liberty Advanced. Both are excellent choices.

Gambler Bob · Sep 2, 2016

redhotcoach said:
My dd and I went to local sports store today to get or narrow down a new glove purchase. She wants a Wilson a2000. They had both baseball and fastpitch. The fastpitch felt "nice and snug" on her hand and too tight on mine. The baseball felt like a dream on my hand and she said she felt like a hard hit would knock it off of hers. She really liked the 2017 black and white a2000. I had told her I would buy her the black '15 on sale online or some vinci I was trying to convince her to like. The new $250 a2000 would require her to pitch in. She said "well if I am getting a good glove, it needs to look bad rear." They only had 12.5" so we came home and ordered 12".

Her current glove is 12.5 and has been fine as her primary spot had been catcher then where ever needed. Now her spot is 3rd and wants something smaller to get the ball out quicker. I like the open web as well.

Your dd being left hand throw, google "worth liberty advanced" there are some places online with last year's model left (switched to rawlings brand this year). Really nice glove. Most sites are asking $99 for the $190 glove.
Oh, dd is 16 if that helps for sizing.

Is this the glove you are talking about?

Worth Liberty Advanced Fastpitch Series: LACMGW Catcher's Mitt

A. BucketMom · Sep 2, 2016

Gambler Bob said:
Thanks for your response. I did not think of the injury aspect of catching with a regular glove (I should of).

That makes me think of another question. Should a travel ball organization be expected to purchase catchers mitts? Are team has 2 catchers, one throws right and the other throws lefty. The team fee's do cover leg guards, chest protector and a catchers helmet.

We were 10U last year and both of our catchers had their own full set of equipment. I don't think the team should be expected to supply a catcher's glove. Assuming that they are practicing their catching outside of team practices, or maybe even getting catching lessons, they really need to invest in their own glove and gear.

marriard · Sep 2, 2016

Gambler Bob said:
Is this the glove you are talking about?

Worth Liberty Advanced Fastpitch Series: LACMGW Catcher's Mitt

Yes - fantastic glove. Look after it and it should take you through second year 14U (and then if they are still catching you buy the 'forever' glove like a Vinci where you spend 2-3x as much)

Couple of glove questions.

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