Glove/Bat size recommendations for 7 y/o

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

Mar 22, 2016
505
63
Southern California
Hi,

My 7 y/o daughter is making the switch from baseball to softball for the spring season. She's played since she was 4 - two seasons of tee-ball and a season of machine pitch. Her glove is too small for softball, and I obviously need to get her a back.

Looking for recommendations for size of glove and bat so I can start shopping.

She is 4'3", 59 lbs (just found out at allergist today).

Thanks in advance for your help : )

Seth
 
Oct 3, 2011
3,478
113
Right Here For Now
Hi Seth. Not to be demeaning but at this age it's about them having fun and falling in love with the game. It's far too early to worry about this kind of stuff. Anything your DD likes color-wise in a drop 13- 28 inch bat, will suffice. As for gloves, the most important part is finding a glove with finger stalls that actually fit her very small fingers. More importantly is to break it in properly so that she can actually squeeze it to stop and receive the ball. Teach her proper receiving mechanics for stopping the ball fielding as well as the proper swing mechanics and everything will be fine in the long run. Look for the proper mechanics on the sticky threads here on DFP and you'll find them.
 
Last edited:
May 6, 2015
2,397
113
I agree, do not spend big money on a glove. at that age, get them something nice and soft, so she can squeeze right away. much as I hate to say it, take her to DSG or the like and let her pick something out, probably nice and bright pink/purple. she will be using 11 inch balls for couple years at least, so she can use a smaller glove. she is probably not going to be receiving bullets (throws or hits) for a while, so ability to squeeze is #1 consideration.

and bat, whatever she can get around the fastest and likes.

help her love the game and get her fundamentals going, that is most important.
 
May 6, 2015
2,397
113
if you want to spend some money, buy a dozen or two of 11 inch balls. even when she moves to 12 inch balls in 12u, can still use for BP ;)
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Along the lines of what other people have said...11" or 11.5" glove (get real leather, but easy to squeeze). 28" is probably the right length bat. Pick a weight that she can swing fast, feels best to her, and she likes the color of. At this age, building competence and confidence in her skills is way more important than anything else....well, other than having fun. Fun is the most important thing of all.
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
At that age my DD used a 11" glove her grandmother got for $25 at Walmart. That is now the glove that I use :D
 
Mar 22, 2016
505
63
Southern California
Thanks, everyone. To clarify, I'm not looking to break the bank. Just want to buy appropriately-sized glove and bat, and this being our first season in softball, I figured I'd reach out to you vets for some guidance before shopping.

Thank you.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Thanks, everyone. To clarify, I'm not looking to break the bank. Just want to buy appropriately-sized glove and bat, and this being our first season in softball, I figured I'd reach out to you vets for some guidance before shopping.

Thank you.

At this age, and for the next couple of years, expect to be buying a new glove and bat every year just due to growth. If she is playing with the softer RIF balls typical for rec softball, a top-level composite bat is a waste of money. By 10U, maybe you can start thinking about some slightly better leather, but that's still too early to be looking at a top-level glove.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
I think more than half our Team used DD’s pink bat, $20 at Walmart.

Most the players had a bat way too big for them. Do not go big.

Cannot remember glove she used.
 
Apr 20, 2015
961
93
I think more than half our Team used DD’s pink bat, $20 at Walmart.

Most the players had a bat way too big for them. Do not go big.

Cannot remember glove she used.
This...I have seen this a million times now that my 2nd one is coming through. 8u kids swinging a 32 inch bat in coach pitch....suddenly can't hit in 10u...it's not rocket science. Drop flat works in 8u with a skilled coach who puts the ball where you swing. Get a smaller bat and work the right mechanics. My 7yo does swing a cf6 but that's a hand me down from her sister who swung it all the way to 2nd year 10s before she started breaking bats and it was 50% clearance because it was so little so we've definitely gotten our money out of that one..lol

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,478
Members
21,445
Latest member
Bmac81802
Top