best glove for a small hand?

[jazdill]

does anyone have a suggestion for a 11"-11.5" glove for a small child. 7yrs 45lbs

[jayhawk]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51qnQ1DjNLL._AA280_.jpg

$24.95 11 inch. Its a great glove with great cushion for the hand. It opens and closes very easy. Its game ready.

http://www.baseballsavings.com/customer/category/product.jsp?SUBCATEGORY_ID=1774

[SHenderson]

I love this Mizuno Prospect Series GPL1102 11 inch youth glove. It is $49.....but I think the extra money for the extra cushioning (SureFit Foam) and the Parashock palm pad is WELL worth the extra money....takes a little sting out of the catch if it isn't caught in the trap.....With Mizuno's "powerclose" technology, Mizuno would be the only manufacturer I would go with for a youth player at this age group. My son played with this exact glove for 3 years....Can't say enough good things about it. Now, for his 10th Birthday this year I bought him the Creme de la Creme of baseball gloves....a custom fit Nokona.....wholly crap is that a nice glove...would have given anything at his age to have gotten a glove like that one.....Nothing wrong with spoiling your son I guess...Ha ha

http://www.ballglovewarehouse.com/product.view.aspx?p=10364

[Union-LL-AA-dad]

I agree with the Mizuno Power Close Prospect series. My wife (small hands) actually bought the GPL 1101 11" model ($49 at Sports Authority) to play catch with my 7 yr old son. My son used a Nike Keystone/Call Up Series cheap leather (pigskin??) glove for his 8U league. It broke in right away, but not the best quality (2 seasons at the most). I recently bought a Mizuno 32" Power Close Prospect catchers mitt GXC100 for my son also, so he can catch my fastballs (actually more like changeups...). For next season, I'm eyeing a Wilson A1000 Ecco leather 11.25" glove for him ($99).

[Mid-Ohio Blaze]

these cheaper gloves are a good way to go. The more expensive a glove the stiffer it is.

[LLdad]

I support the recs for these. I can't remember specific series, but we've had at least four versions of the Powerclose gloves in 11 and 11.5" and they were all great for the money. Unfortunately, my son has a knack for losing his gloves. The good news is that I never spent more than $29.95 on one.

[tom2p]

When kid grows/ages - consider the Mizuno MVP Pro glove. Great high quality glove - 'substantial' - (but) without the extensive break-in required by many/most high-end gloves like the A2000, A2K, etc.
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Mizuno GMVP1152 is one good example (11.5") - the 11.5" Mizuno is a good size for many little leaguers ..... (many Mizuno gloves tend to run a tad big - so the 11.5" may be close to another 12" glove).
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MVP Pro is typically around $80 - can sometimes find them for less. Few gloves compare to the MVP Pro is this price range.
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[Speedy42]

it's very nice for the price. Also, you could go with the Rawlings Gold Glove Youth Pro Taper. My son has one and it's very nice for the price as well. Not long of a break in period. He received it as a gift (Is black with red laces, has his name, and American flag) from me for making the travel team at 9. He is going to be playing 11U travel in 2010 and his mitt is still going strong.

[BSteph3209]

I happen to be of the opinion that an 11" glove on this small of a child (I have one only slightly older and another slightly younger than yours) will ultimately delay the development of some very necessary skills. I will share with you just a simple, my 7 was using the Rawlings Heart of the Hide Jeter model. I eventually realized it wasn't the glove, it was that he didnt know how to use his hands.

I immediately bought a 9.75 Valle Eagle Series Lil' Jen Trainer and told him he could have his old glove back, when he learned to catch balls with this glove. Its an adult use glove, but very age/size appropriate. He improved 10x in his glove work over a brief period of time. Catching and using a training glove is a serious step. Incidentally, Rawlings just released a 5 tool series glove at 9.5"...

I became a dealer for these gloves. www.performlikeapro.com. you cant buy a glove off the website, but you can read more about the thought process that went into this glove decision here.

Best of Luck.

[Union-LL-AA-dad]

I bought this after seeing something similar on MLB Network's Diamond Demos show. It teaches kids to get in the habit of getting in front of the ball (quick feet) and using both hands to field ground balls. It seems to have helped my 7 yr old with basic fielding fundamentals.

http://www.vallebaseball.com/Valle-Pancake-Training-Glove-p/valle_eagle%20pancake.htm

[jazdill]

speedy42 which size and web design protaper does your son wear?

[tom2p]

Both of my kids used a 10" glove when they were 7 yrs old ... (10.25" or so).
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However, my little one often played 1B and the 10" glove was too small - so I eventually moved him up to a 11" glove.
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The next season at 8 yrs old, he began with the 11" and then moved up to 11.5".
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The kids catch football often - so they are accomplished at using both hands. They will sometimes attempt to and/or will use two hands too often - need to be able to catch well with just one hand when you play 1B (especially) and also sometimes at 2B and 3B.
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Kids also will often throw/catch ground balls on asphalt - catch rubberized ground balls on the pavement with no glove. This also helps kids to learn to use two hands.
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[Speedy42]

I made the mistake of gettting him the 11 1/2" model. I thught it would be good for him since he pitches, plays 2nd, and takes his turn in the outfield. He always used small gloves from 6 yrs. old to 9yrs old up until right before he made the travel team. He used a 10" and an 11" for years. He uses the 11 1/2" just fine but thinking about getting him an 11" pro taper for strictly 2nd base.

[tom2p]

??? I like the 11.5 for an 11 yr old.

[DRDad]

I think an 11" is too big for a 7 year old. A 10" is more than big enough if not a 9.5.
Go with a Mizuno Prospect series glove. It allows them to close it easier.
I know guys that play college ball and only use an 11.5"

[tom2p]

agree .... 10" good size for (avg) 7 yr old .....

[J-Hawk]

Hi BSteph3209'

I agree with you about the Valle gloves. I've known John Valle (owner) for going on 5 years now. All his line of gloves and mitts are very high quality. I coach High School Varsity baseball team and we use his training gloves all the time. As well as using his training gloves a lot of my players use his gloves and really like them.

J-Hawk

[dazed and confused]

I bought my 9 yo son a Rawlings youth Gold Glove series GG1125. I bought it online and couldn't believe how thick the leather was when I received it, the glove was also twice as heavy as his old glove and very hard to close. I broke it in and figured that eventually it would close easy, but after a season he still said he didn't like the glove. The glove is high quality but too heavy for a youth, it should not take a lot of effort to close a glove.

[luky013]

any opinions on a glove size for an average size 11 y/o. plays infield and pitch. also anyone use the akadema youth gloves? I am thinking about an 11" glove

[Union-LL-AA-dad]

dazed:
High quality leather gloves are supposed to be thick and have some stiffness to it. When you have a hard hit line drive or grounder coming at you, you need a glove that can stop it forcefully rather than disappear into a soft pillow. Unfortunately, they are more suited for high school/college/adult players rather than youth. I bought a Wilson A2000 for myself recently and even though it takes more work to break it in, it's been the highest quality glove I've ever owned. It will last me for years to come, and maybe I'll even be able to pass it down to my son when he gets older and have more grip strength. Has anyone tried the new A2000 Showcase gloves (same performance for smaller hands)?

[Union-LL-AA-dad]

dazed:
A tip I read online is to shift the fingers inside the glove such that the index finger goes in the middle finger hole, and so on. The index finger hole will be empty/unused, and the pinky finger hole will fit your ring finger and pinky finger together. That should make a stiff glove easier to close.

[dazed and confused]

I would not buy an 11" glove for an 11 y/o unless he is small for his age . An average 11 y/o is using a 11.25 to a 11.50 glove.

[tom2p]

any opinions on a glove size for an average size 11 y/o. plays infield and pitch. also anyone use the akadema youth gloves? I am thinking about an 11" glove
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I also feel 11" glove would be too small for an avg size 11 yr old ....
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I realize many pros (infielders) use a relatively small glove - but pros are just that - pros .....
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small glove on a youth can equal black eye ... fat lip .... LOL ....
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if you are looking for a quality glove, one good place to start search ... Mizuno ... Mizuno MVP Pro ... ( for example - GMVP1152 - 11.5" ) ...... MVP Pro is a high quality glove with a substantial feel - but still relatively easy to break in and therefore well suited for the little guys ... not too stiff - like a Wilson A2000 for example .....
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also like LS TPX Omaha Pro series gloves .....
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also like Rawlings gloves .... Heritage Pro is a good one ..... Player Preferred series is a decent entry-level glove with easy break-in ....
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[techzilla123]

i love the vinci pro gloves. The classic series are 100-120 $ but they will last you many years. They are the best leather, i bought one from the classic series and i prefer it over the wilson a2k. I own the h web, model and my brotherr has the trapeze model. i will be purchasing a catchers mitt son. they are a little known buisness, but they great I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ANYONE TO BUY ANY OF THERE GLOVES they the best.
visit there website at www.vincipro.com

[dden]

Another great youth glove is the Rawlings Gold Glove Pro Taper series. The pro taper is designed for smaller hands, and the gloves come in a variety of patterns. They are easy to break in, but the leather is not flimsy so they will last a long time. They usually list for $99, but you can find them on line for $60 if you hunt...a very, very, good glove for the price.

[Speedy42]

that dden. My 11 yr. old has been using the 11 1/2" Pro Taper model for 2 yrs. now and the glove is still going strong. It's a beautiful mitt with a great fit and the break-in time wasn't too long. He just received an 11 1/4" Pro Preferred model for his B-Day. Really nice glove but should be since it is a Pro model. He'll be using the 11 1/4" for infield and the 11 1/2" when he pitches or plays outfield.

[tom2p]

checked out the Pro Taper on the Rawlings site ..... great looking glove .... will need to add that one to our list .....

[dmac]

Academy Sports has the Gold Glove Pro Tapers for $39. Not sure how long the sale lasts but they are normally $99 and they have some regular Gold Gloves too. No online ordering so you have to go to the store to get one.

[Union-LL-AA-dad]

I just ordered an 11" Rawlings Pro Taper Gold Glove (GG1100G) for my son. Free laser engraving thru Rawlingsgear.com, and I found a $10-off coupon code as well.

Tom: I was considering the Mizuno MVP as you recommended, but my son's hands are really small. I'm still amazed at how well he can catch & field with his old Nike 11" adult glove (although a few times the glove completely came off his hand after catching a ball - ball still inside after falling off). :o The Pro Taper should fit his hand even better. Wilson A2000 Showcase (SC-DW5) was way more than I wanted to spend (2X). Both gloves are beauties.

[Speedy42]

the Pro-Taper glove you can still re-stitch it one size smaller at the wrist when you get it.

[mac43rn]

My son has been using an 11" Mizuno prospect series (balck with power close). This glove was useable after 1 day of fielding balls and playing catch. If you are looking for a glove that is ready to play (easy break-in) then I don't believe you can go wrong with the power close gloves. My son started using this glove around this time last season (7 year old all-stars).

After one year of use, this glove is on its last leg. He is playing SS, second and a bit of center field. The problem we are now running into is the leather is so "broken in" that it will actually bend backwards if the ball is caught out on the fingers and it is a sharp line drive.

We were in a sporting good store this weekend and we were looking at the gloves. He picked up a Wilson A2000 showcase series. It is specifically made for the younger player.

I am a glove junkie. I own more gloves then I care to admit (some are old, some are new), however, I have never owned a Wilson. My son was in love with the 11" Wilson A2000 showcase glove.

No, I am not saying to run out and buy a $200 glove. All I am saying is it is a very nice glove and I don't see it ever having the issues that we are currently having with our Mizuno. That being said, the showcase glove would take some time to really get broken in.


http://www.wilson.com/wilson/baseball/prodflash.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=1013419867475174 9&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302760449

We also use the Ripken Great Hands training glove when we are taking infield practice

[That dude]

Both of my boys are on the smaller side and both started off with the Mizuno prospect series gloves. One is 9 and moved up to a different divison and his glove was a little too flimsy and had to get him a Rawlings Player Preferred 11" and he loves it. My 8 yr old is still using his Mizuno but the first loop on the web just tore and we are about to start allstars next weekend and there is no way I can buy him a new glove so close, hopefully it will last until they are over.

[tom2p]

Nice .... I like the Pro Taper - appears to be a good glove .....

[tom2p]

Both of my kids used Rawlings Player Preferred gloves early on ... good gloves ....
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[tom2p]

Best glove to use when you take infield practice is your glove - glove you plan to use in the games.
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Rep after rep after rep after rep after rep .... and and accomplished kid will be able to field ground balls in his sleep.
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[Vendettta person]

I like the wilson, i think it might be a http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=7&ved=0CEgQFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportsunlimitedinc.com%2Fwils on-ez-catch-9-5-youth-baseball-glove-right-hand-throw.html&rct=j&q=wilson+E+Z+catch&ei=k9MgTNqYCMK88gaxmuiQAQ&usg=AFQjCNHCbu2FXiVpBVg-fa8bkGlLuACH2w. It was made in gray blue and red when my son had it.

[Union-LL-AA-dad]

Yes, the A2000 Showcase gloves are the best quality youth gloves I've seen. Same leather as my adult A2000 glove. Holds its shape well and will last many years with proper care. However, I can't see my son playing with a Showcase until he reaches middle school age. The glove is very stiff and heavy. At $199, I expected the glove to be made in Japan like the adult A2000's and A2K's, not in Vietnam (what gives, Wilson?). :(

[J-Man]

They are not the cheapest gloves around but my son has small hands and he uses a Shoeless Joe glove and loves it. It was game ready and easy for him to close from day one.

[tom2p]

I'm sure the A2000 Showcase glove will be high quality - regardless of country of manufacture.
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My current fav glove is a TPX Pro - CB1275 -
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http://www.hq4sports.com/louisville-slugger-tpx-pro-cb1275-outfield-glove.html
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I actually prefer this glove over the A2000, A2K, etc etc etc ..... ( I believe this glove is made in the Phillipines ).
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For the younger guys - the Mizuno MVP pro is a great choice if you are looking for a 'substantial' glove - but still 'usable'. The MVP Pro is made of thick durable leather - but still relatively easy to break in and can be used effectively by the little guys. My little guy had no issues going to this glove - a must because he typically plays 3 innings at 1st base.
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[Rocman8869]

I've tried'em all, 3 boys, smaller hands, all pretty good players (aaa/majors),,, my 2 cents

best light weight/quality easy break in glove for 5-7 yearold: Kelly Galaxy Series

8-11 year olds:
mid priced/high quality: Rawlings gold glove series
and, without a doubt, the best high end glove for little hands,,,,,,,,,, a2000 showcase. Best small hand glove on the market.

[pthawaii]

Good thread, I have a big 6yo who is playing with 7 and 8 yo's, using a very floppy Wilson EZ catch 10.5 baseball glove. He loves it, but it has no padding and I want to get him a glove without the BIG pocket. Thinking under $50. If I recap the most popular inexpensive choices that I've seen here and another website:

Mizuno prospect series
Vinci Pro
http://www.vincipro.com/cart/basebal...cp-junior.html
Easton Natural Elite Youth
Louisville Helix Youth
http://www.baseballexp.com/Baseball-...33|0/index.pro

My kid loves the lightness and softness of his current glove, but I want to move to a more padded and firmer glove.

Thoughts on the above choices?

Oh yeah and since he's gonna hate leaving his glove behind, someone suggest I just stick with the Wilson EZ series but go up to the model without the BIG pocket.

[Quirky]

Happy to see a discussion about gloves on here; wasn't sure if that would be allowed.

My son has been using a Mizuno for two years, and we've been very pleased with it. Lately he hasn't been catching so well, which is pretty odd for him. Then I noticed that the glove is really floppy and sort of flimsy feeling. We tightened the lacing, which helped a bit. But it's still giving too much, I think. Is that the sign that it's time for a new glove?

[tom2p]

Yes - too much 'give' or too 'floppy' can be one indicator - this can be a problem when the kids grow and begin to throw harder.
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A more 'substantial' glove can/will give a kid more confidence to receive those hard throws and hits with little/no issue.
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My little guy played first base often - and the hard throws were almost too much for one glove he used - so I got him a better glove. I got him a Mizuno MVP Pro - GMVP1152. Great glove - thick/heavy leather with a substantial feel - but relatively easy to break in and he has no issues (dropping ball, etc.). Highly recommend this glove. (He played in 9 yr old division this past season).
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Mizuno MVP Pro GMVP1152 on ebay for $55 - lowest price I have seen in some time.
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http://cgi.ebay.com/Mizuno-GMVP-Series-New-Baseball-Gloves-Many-Choices-/330447251408?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item7dbae12267
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OOPS ! GMVP1152 now out of stock - only GMVP1100 remains.
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[Vendettta person]

I wouldn't recommend the mvp series but i would recommend one of these: http://www.baseballexp.com//Baseball-Gloves/11--11-34-Gloves/Mizuno-Classic-Pro-X-Series-11-12-Baseball-Glove/baseball/lev/6/productId/16605/Nty/1/Ns/CATEGORY_SEQ_27|0/Ne/15/parentCatId/27/N/33+36+1100011+16/index.pro

With the right coupon code you can get it really cheap. It is twice as good as the mvp.

[Vendettta person]

The 20% off closeout items code JGFBHG3 is still out there and good until 7/31.

[tom2p]

Mizuno classic pro is a super glove. My oldest kid uses one. I got it at a flea market. (reply courtesy his iPhone).
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(curious why no recomen on MVP series ? ... Maybe MVP prime ? ... We have a number of kids using MVP pro gloves and all very satisfied )

[Union-LL-AA-dad]

Some dad from another glove forum (glove works) bought an A2000 Showcase for his 12 y.o. (??) son and complained it was too heavy/stiff. I recommended to him the LS TPX H2SL (mesh back) and he told me the other day that he got the 11.5" model. I would not recommend to a younger kid, as they are still stiff and hard to break in, even for a mesh back, but for an older kid, it should work.

Funny that LS names their gloves after their bats (H2SL). Not sure if SL in this case means Super Light as opposed to Senior League. The H2 makes sense (hybrid glove - leather + mesh).

BTW, I just got a LS Pro Flare Silver Slugger (grey Horween leather with grey mesh back) FL1175SS for myself, and so far I like it !!

[tom2p]

At 11-12 yr old and above, kids playing at a high level will need to have a substantial glove (most often heavy and stiff).
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And it can take some time to break in a quality high-end glove. My youngest kid and I often practiced at a local MS field. A father and son would often be at the field - the father would hit ground balls to the kid - hard - one after another - bucket after bucket. Kid is a 10th grade player. Kid was most often using a new glove - he was breaking-in the glove for the *next* season.
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There are guys that attend various tournaments that will break in gloves - but maybe no better way than to use the glove (eventually at least).
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btw - after observing the infield ground ball reps this father was giving his son, I began to up ground ball practice to my kid. And it benefited him significantly.
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