Finding the right softball or baseball glove for a young girl can be challenging. But, making the right decision when it comes to purchasing a mitt for your little athlete is possible when you keep in mind these important glove-buying tips.
Baseball/Softball Player’s Age, Position & Dominant Hand
Dick’s Sporting Goods provides an easy to use sizing chart for baseball and softball gloves. Measured in inches and divided by position and age, there are a handful of glove options for young girls. Under the age of 8 years old, 9-inch gloves are recommended for infielders and 11-inch gloves are recommended for outfielders. For the children between ages 9 and 13, infielders are advised to have gloves between 9-10 inches and outfielders 11-12 inches. At any age, you also choose to purchase either a left or right handed glove.
Dick’s also adds a warning that buying larger sized gloves now so children can grow into them later is not a practice that should be continued. Having a bigger glove will give a child an edge now that won’t be able to be maintained later, thereby robbing that child of the necessary learning skills that accompany proper technique.
Baseball/Softball Player’s Level of Competition
The level of competition your young girl is at will largely dictate what kind of glove it is that you should buy. Many softball leagues have specific requirements of what is and is not acceptable. If your daughter is playing in any sort of structured environment, you should check with the coach before making any nonreturnable purchases to make sure you understand all the requirements.
If you’re purchasing a glove for your young girl simply to be able to have fun playing catch with family and friends, you obviously have a lot more leeway when it comes to what kind of glove will work for your daughter. If your family plays catch with baseballs, springing for a softball glove really might not be necessary, but it’s up to you.
Softball gloves are designed to be used in conjunction with softballs, which are larger than regulation-sized baseballs. Many opt for softball gloves for young girls, regardless of if softball or baseball is technically going to be played. Finding what works for your child’s level of playing, with her specific set of circumstances in mind, is going to be the best option.
Baseball/Softball Player’s (or Your Own) Price Range
Shopping around at local stores and online can give you an idea of what price range you’re looking at when purchasing children’s baseball and softball gloves. Consider your budget while comparison shopping to make the best purchase. Here’s a look from the ShopWiki at some of the softball gloves that are currently available.
Starting at $19.99 from Toys”R”Us is Rawlings Sporting Co’s Youth Girls’ Black/Pink Softball Glove (11″) Player Series PL1109P, made from simulated leather.
At $24 from AllinAllSports.com is the 11″ Girls Softball Glove by Macgregor, made with nylon accents for increased flexibility.
Practically a steal at $13.99 from EpicSports.com is 9 1/2″ Rawlings’ Pink Light up Girls Softball Glove LS95P, designed particularly with beginning kids aged 6-9 in mind.
At $27.37 from Mansion Athletics is 11 1/2″ Softball Glove by MacGregor, made with the company’s specialty of nylon accents for increased flexibility.
