Softball Glove Recommendation and Bat Question

My DD wants to try softball for the first time. It will be a city rec league for the first time to see how much more to pursue. I need to get her a glove. I looked the used route locally and there is nothing listed anywhere. She had an assessment yesterday to see what she needs to work on with a private coach. The private coach recommended a 12" glove. My DD is 12yo, taller for her age, and has bigger hands. She use to play GK in soccer and wore size 9 gloves. Looking for recommendations on a glove brand to look at. Obviously, I do not want to spend $300 because she has never played. If she likes it, gets better, and wants to try for travel type teams then we look at better gear then.


Next is questions on bats. I am definitely not buying a new bat at the moment. I am looking the used route for the initial season. Then I started to find that some bats are banned. Any information on those at a rec level for 12u?

What is your actual budget for both of these? I highly recommend the Vinci Fortus glove that can be had for around $85. There are cheaper gloves for sure but this one broke in easy and lasted my DD a year plus with rec and TB and All Stars and more fall ball etc.

As for bats, I’d look on EBay or Craigslist for a good composite bat. Demarini, LS Xeno, Miken Freak Black if you can find one; all good bats. But probably in the $100-200 range even used. I’m sure there are others that wil get recommended. I’d look at 31 or 32” -10 bats for her.

Check your PM’s

Thank you for the information. I took the recommendation from my DD's trainer and got the Easton Stealth Flex bat. I was weighing used vs new. With the deal I got at Dick's it came under $100 new. I can still return it if necessary because I do not plan on taking that wrapper off until her trainer sees it. As for gloves, we checked Dick's again but the selection is very small in store. We also went to the largest store locally that has gloves. Most were bigger or smaller than she has been recommended. Her trainer said to get a 12" glove. The one she liked the best was a Wilson A900. Other gloves were $200+ and we are not going down that route now. We are looking the used route through CL, eBay, and others. I do not want to spend over $100 for this glove. If after her rec season(s) she wants to get serious and more competitive, we will look at a higher quality glove.

BigRedNole said:

Thank you for the information. I took the recommendation from my DD's trainer and got the Easton Stealth Flex bat. I was weighing used vs new. With the deal I got at Dick's it came under $100 new. I can still return it if necessary because I do not plan on taking that wrapper off until her trainer sees it. As for gloves, we checked Dick's again but the selection is very small in store. We also went to the largest store locally that has gloves. Most were bigger or smaller than she has been recommended. Her trainer said to get a 12" glove. The one she liked the best was a Wilson A900. Other gloves were $200+ and we are not going down that route now. We are looking the used route through CL, eBay, and others. I do not want to spend over $100 for this glove. If after her rec season(s) she wants to get serious and more competitive, we will look at a higher quality glove.

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Glove at that price range I'd give very serious consideration to Akadema AJB74. 12" glove for about $100. Smaller finger stalls for a girl. I've paid twice as much and didn't get this much value.

May be hard to find in the retail stores but you can check justballgloves. Easy return policy if she doesn't like it.

My 12U DD uses a Wilson A900 and likes it a lot.

12 inch glove is a good place to start. Mizuno gloves are pretty much game ready.

CoreSoftball20 is a user on here that is the unofficial bat supplier for DFP. If she is not picky about the brand he usually has some top quality bats that can be gotten at a really good price. You might want to send him a PM.