Softball Glove

15 Inch Softball Glove – What size is right for you?

Choosing the right Softball Glove, while it may seem simple, particularly for your younger players, still requires some thought. For example what size softball glove should I purchase? If your softball player is just starting out at the pee-wee level of rec-softball where they’re using a 10 inch softball, a 12 inch softball glove would be the largest size recommended. Usually a glove of this size on these youngsters looks like they’re playing the game with a suit case, but they will grow into it, making this a worthy investment over the next couple of seasons.

If you’re purchasing a softball glove as a gift for an experienced fastpitch softball player, say one playing at the college level, can be a little trickier. A 15 inch softball glove is usually the glove size of choice for outfielders and pitchers. Outfielders like a 15 inch glove because it gives them that added reach when tracking down a fly ball, and pitchers like a 15 inch softball glove because it allows them to hide their pitching hand inside it while they are taking their grip.

What about middle infielders, what size softball glove makes sense here? Most middle infielders, unlike outfielders, like a smaller glove. Very rarely will you see an experienced middle infielder in fastpitch softball use a 15 inch glove. Why? Because these players like to get rid of the ball quick, and a bigger glove means there is more room in the pocket. Less room in the pocket allows the infielder to get the ball in and out of their glove quicker, and quick is what they need to cut down those fast slap hitters or turn a double play. Many times you’ll see these players around second base use their glove to receive the ball and flip the ball with their glove to their teammate for the force out. A bigger glove makes this exchange much more difficult.

First base and catchers gloves are a lot easier to choose. If your kid is a youngster just starting out use a regular softball glove. When they get to the age of being a position player, in this case first base or catcher, then you can purchase a glove for that position. At first base and catcher, like the outfield or pitcher the longer the better, so a 15 inch glove would be the choice. These gloves are made specifically for these positions and can only be used at these positions during a regulation game.

Softball Glove – How Much to Pay

This has a lot to do with the brand of the softball glove, the size of the softball glove and the quality of the leather used to make the softball glove. A simple web search and you’ll find many online stores like Softball Rampage for example that have quality brand name gloves priced very competitively. Local brick and mortar stores like Big 5 have gloves priced for every level of play and are priced competitively. Play it Again Sports also has discounted softball gloves, some new and some previously used. It all depends on what you’re looking for.

When it comes to brand name Softball Gloves like Wilson, Rawlings and Mizuno you can find a quality glove that fits your budget. Nokona gloves are a bit more expensive when it comes to range of price, but in my opinion for the experienced player it’s a sweet choice.

When do you replace your softball glove?

To the side here is a photo of my old Wilson A2002 glove. This Softball glove was restrung so many times I can’t recall. As you can see by the pocket, the leather had worn through to the point that it was almost gone, but I loved it. Some players like a new glove every season and then there are those like me who are happy with the way their glove is broken in and never wanted to replace it. Yes, it’s an individual thing particularly the more advanced you become. That said there is nothing like the smell of a new glove right out of the box for Christmas, a birthday or the start of a new softball season.

Breaking in a New Softball Glove

Using it is the best way. The next best way is (at least for me) and what I teach my kids is to put a ball in the pocket close it up, then tie some shoelaces around it and stick it under your mattress. Makes for a lumpy bed, but does a nice job on the forming the gloves pocket as well. Oiling a glove; I like using glove or mink oil in the pocket of the glove when I’m first breaking it in. This is all up to the individual taste, some people will oil their softball gloves inside and out, to me that makes it heavier. I don’t have proof of this, it’s just my perception and as I said earlier; it’s an individual taste. For the outside of the glove I used Gel Shaving cream. Figured it was good enough for Dads face it was good enough for my glove. I’d do this about once a month during the season to keep the leather soft. But, if you really want to break in your glove, just use it, the more you do the quicker it becomes part of you.

Softball Gloves – More then a tool of the trade

It’s a funny thing, I don’t remember my first basketball or football, but I do remember my first glove. While they're just one of the tools of the trade, they seem to hold that sentimental place in our hearts, I liked my bat, but loved my glove. If you play this game long enough you’ll really come to appreciate that old piece of leather. You’ll remember the games of catch with your parents and other family members (think of the movie Field of Dreams); you’ll remember the joys of making that great catch, and the heartbreak of the one that you just couldn’t handle. In the end, you'll remember and ol' friend that was there with you in the heat of the summers of your young life, just waiting to make a catch... Just a softball glove, hmmm, I'll let you decide.

Enjoy the game!