Younger players buying a new mitt should look for a softer mitt that they can squeeze and close. Most young players also should look for lightweight options that they can handle and move around their bodies quickly.
The older you get the stiffer glove you should get, this will provide more protection and padding on harder hit and thrown balls. Older players also have larger hands and are more likely to be able to close and squeeze their gloves better. As you get older, quality does matter, especially with players who are playing year-round.
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This is a tough topic. I always relate glove sizes to jean sizing – which is always absolutely ridiculous (seriously, why isn’t this easier?). A size 8 pair of jeans at American Eagle are going to fit completely differently than a size 8 at Abercrombie & Fitch. A 12inch mitt from Mizuno may be a completely different size than a 12inch mitt from Rawlings. Sizing with gloves is challenging without seeing it in person, and without being able to physically see the ball in the pocket. The pocket size may also be different as well, even though the glove is supposedly ‘the same size.’ It’s always recommended to see the glove in person before you buy.
If you plan on buying the glove online, once you choose the brand and model, you may want to purchase a few different sizes and send back the rest (free returns is the real MVP TBH).
If you plan on buying instore, I always recommend bringing the age-appropriate ball with you to the store to see what the ball looks like in the pocket. Does it fit? Does the glove close around the ball? What does the pocket look like? Does the pocket have a lip, or is it flat?
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Dick’s has great beginner options although typically with limited sizing, but if you are looking for a glove on the nicer end of the spectrum you’ll probably have better luck online. Dick’s has high-end brands like Rawlings and Wilson, but typically only carry the lower and mid-range models in store. Also – watch out for their markups, you can almost always find the same glove online for cheaper.
I would recommend APPROXIMATELY an 11.5 inch glove for girls who are using the 11-inch ball (10u and under). As stated above, it’s can be difficult to tell without trying it on depending on the brand and your daughter’s hand size.
Any utility player using a 12 inch ball (12u and above) should be ok with a 12 inch glove. Infielders may want to go with a 12, 11.75, or 11.5 inch to keep their transfers quicker, whereas true outfielders will benefit from a 12.5 inch glove and bigger pocket size.
Source: https://t-tees.com
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