How to Buy Your Child's First Baseball Glove
A mistake here could turn your potential Big Leaguer into a literature professor. Scary. Better to do a little research and get the correct glove. Gloves made from synthetic material are cheaper than leather ones and, although not as durable, can be a good starter mitt.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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Ask your child's coach or manager for advice, if possible. Don't be shy about specifying your budget. Sports expenses add up quickly, and parents need to be careful.
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Buy the smallest glove on the rack for a very young player (under 7 years old). These gloves usually measure 9 inches (23 cm) from the bottom of the palm to the tip of the longest finger and cost about $20. Softer gloves are also preferable for youngsters. Keep in mind that many kids resist using child-size equipment because they want to look like adult players. Avoid drawing attention to the fact that your child is using a smaller glove.
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Go up to the next size increment, an 11-inch (28-cm) glove, for larger kids. If yours is a serious player, the glove will likely see several years of use if maintained well. Consider paying more for a higher-quality leather glove. It's best to take your child with you when selecting it. The glove should feel good and your child should like it. A basic 11-inch glove is about $45. Higher-end gloves can cost $100 or more.
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Avoid buying a specialized glove such as a catcher's mitt unless the coach requires it. Your child will probably play a variety of positions, and an all-around glove will be the most useful.
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Tips & Warnings
If you want to surprise your child with a special gift, look for a suitable glove endorsed by a favorite player.
The best way to break in a glove is to use it a lot. To speed things up, try putting a ball in the pocket and wrapping a strong rubber band around the outside of the glove. Let it sit overnight.
Glove oil can extend the life of a glove.
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Comments
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tmbrguy
Nov 13, 2007
-Keeping the gloves small is always preferred as it allows the player to manipulate the glove not adjust to it. -Glove oil should be used sparingly, you would not rub 1/2" of vaseline on your skin, so there is no reason to soak an animal skin. -For glove break in, make sure to crease the glove before binding in a baseball overnight. The ball only trick will only develop about 40% of the available pocket and result in flap-jack performance which leads to the ball popping out. -Open web gloves are best for younger players as they can see through the webbing and keep their eye on the ball longer. -
tmbrguy
Nov 13, 2007
-Keeping the gloves small is always preferred as it allows the player to manipulate the glove not adjust to it. -Glove oil should be used sparingly, you would not rub 1/2" of vaseline on your skin, so there is no reason to soak an animal skin. -For glove break in, make sure to crease the glove before binding in a baseball overnight. The ball only trick will only develop about 40% of the available pocket and result in flap-jack performance which leads to the ball popping out. -Open web gloves are best for younger players as they can see through the webbing and keep their eye on the ball longer.
