Gloves - whats the verdict?

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Aug 1, 2018
6
0
Daughter is moving up to 12u and playing with the bigger 12inch ball. I need to get her a glove. She is small and plays ss/2nd.

Basically everyone i see is using a 12inch or bigger glove especially when u move up to the 12inch ball. The issue is that at more advanced levels true infielders are using 11.5 or 11.75 inch gloves. Even in highschool etc. Its counter intuitive for a small 11yr old to be using a 12 when 18 yr old girls are using 11.75 or smaller. Thoughts?

Her best attribute and differentiator is her speed moving the ball out of her glove and throwing it. I want to keep that going.
 
May 16, 2016
946
93
Daughter is moving up to 12u and playing with the bigger 12inch ball. I need to get her a glove. She is small and plays ss/2nd.

Basically everyone i see is using a 12inch or bigger glove especially when u move up to the 12inch ball. The issue is that at more advanced levels true infielders are using 11.5 or 11.75 inch gloves. Even in highschool etc. Its counter intuitive for a small 11yr old to be using a 12 when 18 yr old girls are using 11.75 or smaller. Thoughts?

Her best attribute and differentiator is her speed moving the ball out of her glove and throwing it. I want to keep that going.

Well, most girls playing 12u have not specialized to the point where they only play two positions (really, middle infield is almost down to 1 position), and need a glove that works well in all situations. 12" is going to be a good infield/outfield/pitching glove.

Also, all 11.75" gloves are created equally. Youth gloves in this size were probably designed with the smaller softballs in mind, where an adult 11.75" was designed for a 12" ball. My 11u and 13u are both using 12.5" Mizunos (MVP Prime), but they are tall for their age, and play every position on the field, except catching.

The Older girls you reference have larger, stronger hands, and can pinch the ball using smaller gloves, where younger girls with smaller hands, need the glove to do more of the work.

Rather than shop for a size, i'd shop for a glove. Find a real store, and go try them on, buy what fits/feels good.

IMHO
 
Aug 1, 2018
6
0
Well, most girls playing 12u have not specialized to the point where they only play two positions (really, middle infield is almost down to 1 position), and need a glove that works well in all situations. 12" is going to be a good infield/outfield/pitching glove.

Also, all 11.75" gloves are created equally. Youth gloves in this size were probably designed with the smaller softballs in mind, where an adult 11.75" was designed for a 12" ball. My 11u and 13u are both using 12.5" Mizunos (MVP Prime), but they are tall for their age, and play every position on the field, except catching.

The Older girls you reference have larger, stronger hands, and can pinch the ball using smaller gloves, where younger girls with smaller hands, need the glove to do more of the work.

Rather than shop for a size, i'd shop for a glove. Find a real store, and go try them on, buy what fits/feels good.

IMHO

very helpful ty. And i was sort of thinking along your logic as well. The purely youth gloves (and designated as such by the manufacturer) though like the finch series and some of the other nylon stuff is meant for below 10u i think. The mizuno mvp is nice. I like the mizuno prospect select too. its double hinged. Just not sure I like the actual shape of the glove. I also like the wilson a900. I cant tell if this is actually a "youth" glove but the website does say "for the developing player"
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
For 12U, I generally recommend 12"-12.5" depending on player preference. Also keep in mind that actual size will vary by manufacturer. Stay away from "youth" gloves.

I highly recommend sending a PM to Drakemir. He's a rep for Vinci (great stuff!), and can help you find the right glove for your DD, at the right price.
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
If you know your daughter is only going to be playing MI, then go with the 11.75". Good middle infielders rarely ever "catch" the ball in their web anyway. Other than a popup/line drive or extended backhand/forehand, it should almost always be a deflection...


Btw, I tried doing what Vizquel is doing here and it was hard as heck to do..lol
 
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Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
that is precisely her strong suit. Shes definitely not hitting HR but she has some quick hands.

A smaller glove will be a detriment in the OF though. If money isn't an issue (yeah right..:cool:) you could get her 2 different gloves if there
is a chance she plays OF too.
 
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JLF

Sep 18, 2017
46
6
Daughter is moving up to 12u and playing with the bigger 12inch ball. I need to get her a glove. She is small and plays ss/2nd.

Basically everyone i see is using a 12inch or bigger glove especially when u move up to the 12inch ball. The issue is that at more advanced levels true infielders are using 11.5 or 11.75 inch gloves. Even in highschool etc. Its counter intuitive for a small 11yr old to be using a 12 when 18 yr old girls are using 11.75 or smaller. Thoughts?

Her best attribute and differentiator is her speed moving the ball out of her glove and throwing it. I want to keep that going.

Picked up a 12" Wilson A950 in the spring for my slightly below average sized 12U. She played primarily CF and SS, with some LF and 2B.

https://m.dickssportinggoods.com/p/...018-17wilw12950fpbrwnfpg/17wilw12950fpbrwnfpg

With coupons it was under $70.

She really liked it and did well with it. No problems getting the ball out of the glove. Pretty easy to break in. Plus it "looked cool" with the 2-tone finish.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Jul 29, 2013
6,782
113
North Carolina
A smaller glove will be a detriment in the OF though. If money isn't an issue (yeah right..:cool:) you could get her 2 different gloves if there
is a chance she plays OF too.

I agree with this, right tool for the job! Every girl who plays both infield & outfield on our showcase team has two different gloves. If you don't want to go that route, I recommend a 12" glove minimum.
 
Jul 29, 2013
6,782
113
North Carolina
For 12U, I generally recommend 12"-12.5" depending on player preference. Also keep in mind that actual size will vary by manufacturer. Stay away from "youth" gloves.

I highly recommend sending a PM to Drakemir. He's a rep for Vinci (great stuff!), and can help you find the right glove for your DD, at the right price.

Great advice here all the way around. Check out this thread started by TXJames44, he bought a 12" Vinci ME024 from Drakemir, that's the first glove I thought about after reading your original post.

And of course it just wouldn't be me without recommending............:cool:
https://www.justballgloves.com/prod...e-hide-12--baseball-glove--pro206-6jtb/29921/


EDIT: Sorry, here ya go.
https://www.discussfastpitch.com/so...iews/34120-glove-options-12u-tb-player-5.html
 
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