Gloves/Mitts – Page 3 – The Planet Of Baseball

Softball is a very popular game that is played by girls and young women in local leagues around the country and, more formally, at the varsity level in high schools and colleges. It is also played by men in weekend “beer leagues” everywhere. So it should come as no surprise that there is lots of softballe quipment available and the “best softball glove” can be hard to find. The fact is that major manufacturers, companies that produce quality equipment for baseball, also develop great products for softball. When it comes to gloves, however, there are some that are better suited to slow-pitch softball and others that have been crafted for the game played by the majority of enthusiasts. That is fast-pitch softball. It’s important that you and your daughter understand the differences between the two games – and the two gloves – so that you can select the right glove to purchase. You’re going to need help recognizing which gloves to consider and that assistance is available in this article. In fact, read on for a review of five very popular gloves designed for the game your daughter plays –fast-pitch softball. Here is information that can help you to pick the right glove … There Is Generally Very Little Difference - Between Slow-Pitch And Fast-Pitch Softball Gloves While it is true that slow-pitch softball and fast-pitch softball differ in one very important way, there is one striking similarity. That is the ball. It is large, much larger than a baseball, but actually the same size for all forms of softball. And because the ball is the same size in the fast-pitch game and the slow-pitch game, the gloves for both types of games require the same large pocket and web.As a result, most softball gloves are designed to both slow-pitch and fast-pitch softball. When selecting a glove for your daughter, every softball glove available can and should be a potential purchase. Here’s something else to consider … You May Not Have To Spend A Lot - To Get “Great Value” A top-of- the-line baseball glove from a major manufacturer is generally crafted in the finest leather and can cost as much as $200, sometimes even more than that. The best softball gloves can be expensive, as well, but rarely reach a price above $100. However, there are well-made softball gloves, crafted in “faux” leather or a leather-like material that can be purchased for a price well below what it costs to buy a top-level mitt. Such gloves often include the same deep pockets and large, well-constructed webs of higher-priced competitors. So, it may be in your best interest to “do your homework” and spend some time researching gloves in all price ranges. You may discover that you don’t have to “bust your budget” to get the quality glove that you want for your daughter. Now, ponder the following … The Best Way To Find The Right Glove Is To - “Try It On” If you’re like most people, you won’t buy a jacket or a pair of shoes without first “trying it on” to make sure it fits properly. The same should hold true for your daughter if you’re planning to buy her a softball glove. The idea here is to “test” the product before committing to buy it and use it. So, if you have a softball glove or two that interest you or, more importantly, your daughter, take her to your local sporting goods store. When you arrive there, your daughter can get an in-person look at the gloves she thinks she likes and a chance to put each of them on her hand. That’s the way to “test” a glove. She’ll know, while still in the store, which glove, if any, “feels right” on her hand and is comfortable to wear. And that information should help both of you make the correct purchase decision. There is still one more thing you can do … Get Information From “The Horse’s Mouth” By Talking - To Someone Who Uses The Glove You Want You can read all of the promotional material available, listen to the “sales pitch” of a store clerk, have your daughter try on a glove for fit and comfort and still be unsure about your potential purchase. There is something else you can do in that situation. Talk to one of your daughter’s team mates, someone who already owns the glove and uses it. You’ll get useful, first-hand, information that can go a long way in helping you to make the right selection, one that will put a permanent smile on your daughter’s face. Now that you know what steps you can take in your search for the “perfect softball glove” for your daughter, you might began that search by reading what follows – brief, information-rich reviews of five of the most popular gloves available for sale in America right now. Here is a listing of gloves that have received many favorable online reviews from softball players all over America … This glove advertises itself as “the perfect mitt” for both slow-pitch and fast-pitch softball. It offers a broad range of features, including soft, supple, easy-to- break-in leather crafting and a large pocket and web that make it easy to catch a softball and hold on to it. In fact, the soft leather enables its user to enclose the glove around the ball, making errors less likely to happen. Here are more things you need to know … Pros full grain leather shell with mesh inserts makes it easy to catch the ball and hold on to it. Parashock palm pad cushions hand to lessen impact on contact. Polyurethane power-lock strap helpssecure glove for a perfectly snug fit “Open back” design means that this glove easily fits all hands. Includes one year warranty. Cons large 14”size makes this glove suitable for adults only. Available in black only. Price is not budget-friendly. This glove advertises itself as “the perfect mitt” for both slow-pitch and fast-pitch softball. It offers abroad range of features, including soft, supple, easy-to- break-in leather crafting and a large pocket and web that make it easy to catch a softball and hold on to it. In fact, the soft leather enables its user toen close the glove around the ball, making errors less likely to happen. Here are more things you need to know … Pros full grain leather shell with mesh inserts makes it easy to catch the ball and hold on to it. Parashock palm pad cushions hand to lessen impact on contact. Polyurethane power-lock strap helps secure glove for a perfectly snug fit. “Open back” design means that this glove easily fits all hands. Includes one year warranty. Cons Large 14 ”size makes this glove suitable for adults only. Available in black only. Price is not budget-friendly. Introducing what many people consider to be an extremely versatile softball glove. It has been designed for use by those that play slow-pitch softball. This mitt measures 14” in length and is large enough to fit just about any hand. It features a closed weave web that enables it to be used by all position players onthe field. And this glove gives you much more, too … Pros Budget-friendly price tag. Velcro strap can be adjusted for snug and comfortable fit. Genuine leather palm with “Pro Tech” padding to lessen impact on contact with the ball. Factory-installed deep pocket makes this glove ready to use immediately. Available in right-handed and left-handed models. Cons Glove has limited suppleness which makes it more difficult to “break in”. Constructed in a combination of leather and “leather-like” material. Moderately durable – will not last a long time. This “for girls only” glove has been specially designed for younger fast-pitch softball players who are just beginning their amateur careers. The 10.5” glove length is perfect for providing a snug and comfortable fit. A padded leather palm lessens impact on contact with the ball and mesh backing means that this glove is ready-to- use on Day One. Plus … this glove includes many more features … Pros Affordable, budget-friendly price tag. Well-constructed for durability and long use. Soft pig leather palm provides ready-to- use deep pocket. Includes 1 year limited manufacturer’s warranty. Lightweight mesh makes it very easy to enclose the glove around the ball. Extra-soft palm provides comfort and control. Cons Limited versatility – for infielders only. Available in purple only. Only made for use by right-handed players. Fingers tend to fray with heavy use. This glove, crafted specifically for fast-pitch softball, has features that make it ideal for young girls. Its eleven inch length is designed to provide a snug and comfortable fit for smaller hands. And its soft laminate-crafted palm cushions hands on contact with a thrown or batted ball. Plus, it provides these features … Pros Great “starter” glove because its designed to fit comfortably on a small hand and it is very budget-friendly, too. Lightweight mesh construction makes it easier to close the glove around the ball. Available in “lively” green and black color combination. Cons Poor leather quality makes durability a concern. Requires time to “break in” and become ready for use. Features a combination of leather and leather-like material. Determine Which Glove You Like Best - Then Visit Your Favorite Sporting Goods Store - To “Try It And Buy It” Now that you’ve had a chance to read and learn about five of America’s most popular softball gloves, you may wish to consider buying one of them for your daughter. My favorite glove of those reviewed here is the Rawlings Renegade Series Pro Mesh Black Glove. It appeals to me because Rawlings has been producing great softball gloves for a very long time and this latest model includes many good features that will, I believe, be beneficial to your daughter. However, the selection is mot mine to make. It belongs to you and, more importantly, to your daughter. So, if you like any of these gloves, visit your local sporting goods store so that she can see the glove and “test” it by putting her hand in it. If it “feels right,” it may be the glove she needs. If it’s uncomfortable, you can always “shop around” for another model – at the store or online. There are many models available. One is certainly going to be “perfect” for your daughter. All you have to do is find it.