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ez_softball

Life at the diamond...
Apr 14, 2017
158
28
My daughter is wrapping up her last year of 14U and I'll be honest, we've never really stepped up and purchased her a good glove. Part of the reason why is she absolutely loves the flexibility of the Mizuno Prospect gloves. They're cheap and we go through at least one a year. Unless they totally break it's almost impossible to get her to give up on an old floppy Prospect for a new one. We have several new ones waiting in the wings. She has used the 12'5" most but we've also cycled 1 or 2 of the 12" through. As an FYI: she is a middle infielder and pitcher.

I've started looking at other gloves for next season and am considering the Vinci BV1929-L. It sounds like the break-in period is rough on these and I'm not sure I can get my daughter through it. I mean she gripes about the Mizuno Prospects for a couple weeks when they are new...LOL. Because of her familiarity, I've also considered the Mizuno MVP but I'm not convinced a mid-grade glove is the way to go.

Looking for a better quality glove in the $100-$200 range that will get her through several more TB years and her HS playing career. She practices year round and plays roughly 100-120 games a year.

Any recommendations or thoughts?
 
Last edited:
Jul 2, 2013
381
43
We purchased a new glove for DD last Christmas. We ended up getting both the Vinci BV1929-L and the Wilson A2000 P12 and letting her check them out. She ultimately picked the Vinci because she liked the black glove more than the white one to be completely honest. Both are great gloves and we sent the Vinci to be broken in at Glove Whisperer and the results were great.

I will say we had a couple of problems with lacing on the Vinci but I don't think those are common.

I also still have the brand new A2000 that I'd be willing to part with if you have any inte
 
Jul 29, 2013
6,782
113
North Carolina
Just bought my DD a Rawlings Heart of the Hide Pro206-6CB, it's a 12" model that is almost exactly the same dimensions as her custom Vinci she's been using for the last 3 years. Looks like it's going to be a keeper!

As far as breaking in a Vinci, it's definitely going to take some work, but, in my experience the black Vinci's like the BV1929 are much easier to break in then the two tan Kip Vinci's we have. The tan Kip takes serious work and time! I had a brand new black RV1961 and my DD's custom tan 12" in my hands together, now I realize the custom was smaller but there was NO comparison in the stiffness between the two. I could have got the 1961 game ready in a day or two!

Guess what I'm saying is the BV1929 is a great choice, especially for pitching and middle infield as it actually plays around 12.25", not the 12.5" that it's listed as. Plus it doesn't have velco and as most Vinci baseball gloves, it has a pretty small, snug hand stall for the ladies. Ask around here, pretty good choice! Just wish Vinci could figure out the meaning of what good quality lace is, really my only complaint.
 

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ez_softball

Life at the diamond...
Apr 14, 2017
158
28
LOL I'll figure it out. I've whittled it down to 3 or 4 gloves. I'm leaning towards the Mizuno Global Elite because of my daughters preference for Mizunos.

  • Mizuno Global Elite 12" Fastpitch: GGE50FP $180
  • All Star Vela THREE FING3R Series: FGSBV-12 Fastpitch $125
  • Vinci Limited Series 12.5 Inch Fielders Glove: BV1929-L $190

I might just order both the top 2 and see what she likes better... if she likes neither then order the Vinci....
 
Last edited:

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
DD loves her BV1929-L and when she got it I wore it for @ 3 weeks during bucket time before she started using it in practice.
 

ez_softball

Life at the diamond...
Apr 14, 2017
158
28
DD loves her BV1929-L and when she got it I wore it for @ 3 weeks during bucket time before she started using it in practice.

I'm not crazy about wearing it prior to her... there is a fairly large difference in hand sizes. I can beat on it with a mallet, roll it, etc. but there will still be some break-in left for her to get it molded to her hand.

The (3) gloves I listed all have a decent following and reviews are fairly solid for all of them. From what I've read it appears the Miz Global Elite will at least be on par with the Vinci. As for the All-Star 3 finger, I worry it might not be in the same league as the other 2 as far as quality.
 
Feb 21, 2017
198
28
My two daughters both have All-Star Vela THREE FING3R gloves. DD1 is OF/2B and has the FGSBV-12 but wants the 12.5 now for OF. DD2 is SS/P and has the smaller 11.5 and a 12. Only uses the 11.5 and won't use anything else. They require some break in but they are solid gloves and even DS who is a college baseball player thinks they are nice. Excellent Japanese leather is both sturdy and soft, no plam sting. For what it is worth the pocket is huge and DD2 says it is a huge advantage in transfer and fielding. If you do get one use yellow Barbasol foam shaving cream with lanolin + play catch.
 
Jul 29, 2013
6,782
113
North Carolina
LOL I'll figure it out. I've whittled it down to 3 or 4 gloves. I'm leaning towards the Mizuno Global Elite because of my daughters preference for Mizunos.

  • Mizuno Global Elite 12" Fastpitch: GGE50FP $180
  • All Star Vela THREE FING3R Series: FGSBV-12 Fastpitch $125
  • Vinci Limited Series 12.5 Inch Fielders Glove: BV1929-L $190

I might just order both the top 2 and see what she likes better... if she likes neither then order the Vinci....

Unless your daughter is set on a glove with velcro, you should really take a look at the Global Elite GGE10BK baseball glove, especially at $149.95! My take on the 3 gloves you listed, I think the All-Star is lacking behind the other two, now hear me out, I'm sure it's a fantastic glove! I own a All-Star CMW3000 catchers mitt, I couldn't ask for a better mitt, but the CMW3000 is the only Vela fastpitch glove that uses Japanese Maruhashi leather, and I'm pretty sure all the System Seven baseball gloves use that high end leather. The Vela 3-finger fastpitch gloves are probably using a Japanese tanned steerhide, which I'm sure is great.

I think the Global Elite and the Vinci BV1929 are probably a wash, I'd give a slight nod to the Global Elite for better internals and definitely better lace!! Your DD really can't lose with either of these choices! And yes, if at all possible, keep your hand out of it!!

And for whichever glove you buy, please DON'T steam it, bake it, microwave it, deep fry it, or keep it in your hot trunk!! It'll last her for years.

Lastly, does your DD have a preference on what color glove? Cheapbats.com has a couple of 12" tan Global Elite baseball gloves on sale for $159.95. It's late, hope I remembered where and the price correctly?
 

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