Buying a baseball glove for a young player can be somewhat of a tricky proposition. If you buy a glove that fits perfectly, the player may grow out of it in a month or two. If you get a glove that is too big with the thought that he will grow into it, it might be too heavy for the player to use effectively. There is also the question of whether to get a leather glove or a glove made from some other material. A few tips will help you choose the right glove for a young player.
Step 1
Buy a glove that fits your child's hand. Go to the sporting goods store and ask him which one feels comfortable. Then ask him to try to close and open the glove. A new glove will likely be stiff and will need to be broken in. However, if the glove does not respond at all when the child attempts to close it, it is either too big or too heavy. Look at gloves that are about 11.5 inches from the edge of the thumb to the tip of the small finger.
Step 2
Go for only a leather glove. A leather glove will form a natural pocket as it gets broken in by playing catch. A synthetic glove will not do the same.
Step 3
Consider buying a brightly colored glove. A red or blue glove is much easier to distinguish, and will keep other players from mistakenly taking the glove. The rules allow gloves of multiple colors, so you have many more choices than tan, brown or black.
Step 4
Buy a new glove when your child's fingers reach the top of the finger holes. The child will tell you when her fingers begin to feel cramped inside the glove. You will also notice that the top of the glove will begin to crown (curve) when the child's fingers get too big for the glove.
Tips and Warnings
- Break in the glove with shaving cream after you purchase it to help it become more flexible.
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