Should I buy a 12-inch softball glove or a 13-inch softball glove?
Buy a 12-inch softball glove or a 13-inch softball glove. That is the question. Now, let’s see if we can find an answer that works for everyone. This question comes up a lot on forums and in the field. Nobody seems to know what size girls softball gloves to buy. Let’s take a look at the options.
Almost every day I see a question about the size of the gloves. Softball gloves for girls have evolved over the years and there are now so many options that it is sometimes difficult to choose.
Parents want to make sure they order the right size for their daughters position and physical size. They usually don’t want to have to buy another one for at least a couple of years, either.
Fast pitch softball, or softball fast pitch, as my northern friends call it, is a really fast game. Not just pitching. Although that’s where the name comes from, of course. But the dynamics of the fast pitch softball game are impressive. The shorter base paths, the closer pitching distance compared to baseball makes everything happen much faster and more dynamically.
For that reason, there are now different sizes of gloves available. They mainly differ according to position. Infielders tend to like a smaller glove and outfielders like a longer glove. So what do you do if you play both?
Field gloves come in a few styles, there are those for the mid-frame, usually in the 12.5-13 inch size, with 12.75 or 13 being the most commonly used size. This size is small enough for the player to have a quick hand movement, but large enough to catch the flying balls that are often hit.
There are many players, like third baseman, who prefer a shorter glove. That’s where the 12-inch softball glove is used the most. I see some shortstop that also wear 12-inch gloves. The 12-inch glove is still big enough to grip the full size – 12-inch softball, but smaller and lighter to help make those ultra-fast plays right out of the box. You know, when you’re playing bunt and she drives a hard drive right in your head.
Gardeners generally like the 13-inch glove, and some kids will choose an even larger 14-inch glove. However, in my opinion, that’s too much for most fastpitch softball players. A lot of men who play softball love that really big glove. But of course they tend to have bigger hands to fit that big glove.
The larger 13-inch softball glove is truly multipurpose and works for both indoors and outdoors. He’s big enough to grab that overhead flight into deep center but small enough to make those quick plays at second base.
Often times, it also comes down to the size of the child who will be wearing the glove. I have seen some 18 Gold players wearing 10.5 inch gloves. Now that girl was smaller, so she had small hands. Therefore, she was comfortable in a very small glove.
For most beginning kids. For those between the ages of 10 and 12, the 12-inch glove would be a very good option. Searching for a 12-inch fast pitch glove should offer several options. Make sure to look for one that is designed for women.
Girls ‘softball gloves or girls’ softball gloves will have smaller finger posts. They will be closer together and a little shorter. That makes the glove more manageable in smaller hands. Several will have adjustable wrist straps to fit snugly around the wrist for comfort and control.
Find a ball glove made from Steerhide, Kip, or just make sure it’s real leather, which will last for several years. You will likely get over it before it wears off. You may have to pay a little more for it, but it will pay off in the long run.
If you need a beginner softball glove, go with the 12-inch softball glove. If you are looking for a step up or multipurpose glove, choose the 13 inch softball glove.
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