Glove size for pitcher

[SBmom8992]

DD is moving up to 12U ball next year so I thought it would be a good time with the holidays coming up to get her a new "investment" glove to replace her big chain store glove she's been using the past few seasons. Her current glove is 12 inches so I was thinking when she moves up to the 12 inch ball it may be a good time to go to a 12.5 inch glove. She's a pitcher who plays SS as a secondary position. Looking at Vinci and Nokona gloves so any feedback on those would be great.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[LostinNJ]

One of the girls on my daughters team has a Nokona. What a beautiful glove. I think 12.5 would be fine.

 

[SoAZDad]

My DD was born in 2002, is 5'5" and 125 lbs. She is primarily a pitcher and plays the corners. We ordered her a 12.5" Nokona but it was too big. She loves her 12" Nokona now.

 

[Bigclubswinger]

My 13 year old uses 12 inch glove to pitch, play 2nd and outfield. It's plenty big and has a little less weight when pitching.

 

[RubberBiscuit]

My DD is right around 6' tall and she uses a 12.5 pitching at 18yrs of age. (as reference)

I strongly suggest a lighter/smaller glove pitching for two reasons:
1. Safety - pitchers need FAST reactions to line drives. Smaller = lighter
2. (may not apply) IF your DD does any kind of leg slap (I know,...all the great brains here will say "Don't leg slap"), but if she does, it's better to have the smaller mass hitting the leg.

cheers.

 

[ArkFastpitch]

DD is a12u pitcher and she uses a 12" Vinci. Before that she was using a 12.5" Worth Liberty. Considering the smaller size and mesh back of the Vinci, it is almost 1lb lighter. The Vinci weighs 1.6lbs and the Worth is 2.5lbs. For a pitcher the extra weight is a big difference.

 

[Little Angels Softball]

I'd say 12" tops, especially for a SS. Unfortunately, I recommend an open web ("H" or "I" style) for a SS but a pitcher should have a closed web. Check out the Wilson A2000 Cat model as a good template for what a pitcher should be using.

 

[Eric F]

Both my DD's (16yo HS pitcher/2B, and 10yo everywhere) use 12" Mizuno MVP gloves. Unless you are a dedicated OF or 1B, anything larger than 12.5" is too much, and most of the time 12" is a better choice.

 

[SBmom8992]

Thanks everyone for the great feedback. I'm going to stick with a 12" glove based on the responses.

 

[Sliced Bread]

Good choice. My 18 year old DD is a SS and uses a 12" glove.