Decent Affordable Glove

[markman]

1st poster (!?)

I have never played softball (actually never played baseball on an organized team), and I am looking for a decent softball glove. I am not up-to-date on equipment, so I figured a forum would be a good place to start. Any suggestions?

[Gloves22]

If you are just getting started, you don't need anything too fancy. Go out and spend $75 on a 14" softball glove. You may want to go for one that has soft leather / is already broken in a bit - if you don't play much breaking in a glove will be tough, and as a beginner you don't want a stiff glove.

[Tmbrguy]

Too soft/ too stiff, it really is all relative. If you need something to play in church league for say 4 to 6 games, you might get a year or two out of a $40 glove. But like any other tool, you need to teach it how to work (and yourself to catch for that matter).
1) it needs to feel nice in your hand.
2) go for a deep pocket as you will likely be in right field as a new-timer.
3) stay in the 11-1/2 - 12-1/4" range as you need to acustom yourself to handling a glove.
4) An open web will allow you to keep your eye on the ball longer.
5) Start with a glove that 'feels' stiff to you (this will force you to use 2 hands until the glove is broken in.
6) Leather is alive, don't drown it in glove oil.
- break it in properly, don't skimp on this no matter how much you spend, it will
truly make a difference
7) I prefer a tighter wrist fit as the glove will hold on to me as opposed to me holding onto it.
8) Don't reserve your time playing catch to practice only, play catch with who-ever will throw it back - don't discriminate, I know lots of 4 yr olds that whip the ball pretty good and catching where those throws go is truly a mark of success.
9) Have fun, Have Fun, Have Fun!

Hey did I mention that I am a rep for nw Kelley Athletic at http://nw.kelleyusa.com I also have a forum for nw Kelley Athletic owners at http://www.dbionlin.biz/kelley and a site for youth players at http://www.hirschgroupllc.com

[TallPaul]

Makes sense to me to buy a low priced glove. Then by the time it wears out you will have a better idea what you want in a glove.

I bought a $30 Rawlings glove to use just playing around (no games, just practice) with my kids and I like it a lot. We only do hardball though. Nice thing is it needed virtually no break in. It's imitation leather and folds nicely from the get go.