Choosing a Baseball Glove For Your Youth Player

The baseball glove ranks as one of the most important piece of equipment you can ever buy for your son. As a parent, you want to be able to support your kid's progress. However, if he plays with the wrong kind of glove, there is a very big chance that his growth will be hampered because he will make too many mistakes. It is important, therefore, that you get him something that fits and performs well. That will enable him to stay encouraged and focused on his development.

When buying a youth baseball gloves, consider the following aspects:

Size. You better think twice if you intend to buy an extra-big glove for your son. It is true that he will outgrow it in just a few seasons, but playing with a glove that is too large for him will prevent him from performing to his very best. Anything that is too big or heavy is typically difficult for young kids to close. For an ideal compromise, shoot for a baseball glove that will last your son a good one and a half years.

Youth gloves range in size from nine to 12.5 inches. Children below eight years old will generally feel comfortable with a nine-inch glove. Teenagers, meanwhile, go for the 12-inch. Kids in between those age groups use gloves that range from 10 to 11 inches.

Keep in mind that outfield gloves are a up to an inch longer than infield ones.

Glove Type. There are five types of ball gloves: the catcher's mitt, the first baseman's mitt, the infielder's glove, the outfielder's glove and the pitcher's glove. The pitcher's glove is normally the same as the infielder's, only that it has a closed webbing for concealing the pitcher's grip on the ball. Some pitchers, however, for some reason feel more comfortable with a longer glove. In addition, many coaches rotate their players in different positions. For an "all-purpose utility" glove, choose one that is longer.

Brand. Although some brands perform better than others, choosing a gloves that is purely based on brand impression is not advisable. Each brand has its own pros and cons-one brand may not have the best features of the other, and vice versa. Remember that the choice of glove should ultimately be based on fit, comfort and performance. You may ask for recommendations from the coach, but you still need to have your son try as many gloves as he can.

Material and Price. Leather gloves are more expensive, but make up for in performance. Synthetic gloves are more affordable but may be less durable. Your son's coach may recommend a leather gloves because it can form a superior mold. For lower-priced leather gloves, visit the clearance aisle/page of a sports equipment store.

Customized Gloves. Customized gloves provide the best fit and the specific style that a player is looking for. If you want your son to stand out not only as a player, but also in terms of expressing his individuality, customized gloves make an excellent choice. There are much more color and design pattern choices, and the custom embroidery will make an easy identification mark in case your son's glove gets mixed with the rest of his teammates'. The only caveat is that a customized glove, of course, generally costs more than the other kinds of gloves.

David Whitefield is an Online Content Manager who writes about baseball and softball tips, best baseball equipment and baseball gloves you need to improve your skills.