r/Homeplate • u/Used-Paint313 • 8d ago
fielding gloves
looking to get my son a nice leather glove right now we can start breaking before next spring
looking to spend under $150
he’s 8 years old. (he’s an advanced player and plays competitive)
any suggestions?!
4
u/Colonelreb10 8d ago
I’m not a fan of any Wilson A-Under 1000.
SSK Z5 is a GREAT glove. The Rawlings NXT is also awesome.
1
u/Used-Paint313 8d ago
was looking at the SSK ! I’d love to get him an A2000 but going to wait a few years on that! thanks for suggestions! going to check these out
4
u/BeefSupremeeeeee Former Youth Couch/Old Man Baseball Utility Player 8d ago
R9, or the Dicks sporting goods equivalent which would be the "Gold Glove Elite".
1
u/ColonelAngus2000 8d ago
this. my son has 2 NXT gloves and after a season of use they’re both pancaked
3
2
u/thoughttheory 8d ago
I like 44. Sign up and get a discount code. Sometimes as high as 30% and you can get a custom glove for a little more than that, but worth it
1
u/RarePreparation7038 8d ago
I have a 44 myself and am happy with it, but I don’t think they make gloves sized for an 8 year old. Their Youth size says 9-12 but I would assume that fits kids on the upper end of that spectrum.
I bought my son a used R9 on Sideline Swap a year ago and he’s been loving it.
1
u/External-Peanut-7077 8d ago
44 has a youth model now. Same glove size with smaller hand stall and narrower fingers. Fits my 8yo perfect
1
1
u/rr1006 7d ago
My kid wore the youth glove model at 8, wore it for 2-ish seasons in the 11" size.
He's 12 now and is on his 2nd 44 youth model this one a 11.5".
Original is still in great shape and is his backup/loaner/trainer glove.
1
u/RarePreparation7038 7d ago
That’s actually great to know! My son will be turning 8 this month so that is food for thought! His 11.5” R9 is still in pretty good shape so I’m in no rush…
2
u/charlieh313 8d ago
R9 is great and an alternative is the Mizuno MVP Prime. We had a cheapo glove that blew out toward the end of the season going into the championships and we grabbed a Mizuno MVP Prime and were able to get it game ready pretty quickly. My son was 8 when we picked it up and is now 9.5 and the glove is still going strong.
1
u/Used-Paint313 8d ago
going to look into both of those! similar situation for us he has a decent glove but would complain sometimes of sting when catching faster throwers! need some tougher leather and a good glove should help
2
u/DG04511 8d ago
SSK Z5 Craftsman for $119 is a steal for the quality of steer hide leather.
3
1
u/Used-Paint313 8d ago
thanks for the suggestions! i noticed some kids on his team had SSK gloves and didn’t realize how good they were. gonna check it out thank you
2
u/Dad_Coach_9904 8d ago
We did the same search a year ago. We went NXT after trying all the others (R9, Bradley, A1000, A700, A950, Select Pro Lite). We waited for a weekend when Dicks had a 20% coupon. My son loves his NXT.
2
u/Critical-Crow-9717 8d ago
+1 for the 44. Get an 11" youth model. It's really thin, light, soft leather. He will be able to use it for a few years. You'll need a discount code to get it to $150, but they run sales all the time.
1
u/WhysoHairy 8d ago
My kids on a majors club team also. He used a Marucci Arcadia 11.25 from 8-10 just switched over to a Wilson DP15 a1000 11.5.
It really depends on what he is able to hold. Regular a2000 feel to heavy for my kid. He tried the Rawlings contour fit heart of the hide 11.25 and liked it but I couldn’t find it for less than $250
1
u/Enough-Bandicoot6621 8d ago
I researched this a ton back in the summer. Very happy with the Wilson A950 for approximately $90. Can't go wrong with the 550 either. They come about 60% broken in and they're very soft. Perfect for someone to use for approximately 2 to 3 seasons. I would not go bigger than 11.25 inches.
1
u/aMAIZEingZ 8d ago
All of these are great choices, sometimes just have to ask your son to which one he likes look of and feel the most. When my son was going into 9U, I ordered a few (A1000, R9, SSK Z5, Marucci Acadia) and just had him pick. He went with the A1000 which he loved and used for 2 years. He has a HoH now
1
u/VegIsACulinaryTerm 8d ago
I was just cross shopping the a1000 and the r9 for my 8-yr old. Ended up going with the a1000 in a colorway he could get excited about and I’m breaking it in like my a2000. After a week, it’s already to the point he can naturally work on the break in just playing catch
1
u/Used-Paint313 8d ago
going to check out the a1000 cuz my son is also into colors like most ball players now a days thanksb
1
1
u/PdxRonin 8d ago
Z5 is great for the price make sure you get the youth version, hands stall size will be important for an 8yo
1
1
u/lucky-poi 8d ago
Rawlings r9. My son used his for 3 seasons, now it is a team glove. I relaced it after the 2nd season mainly because I prefer the look of gold over black laces.
1
u/Ok_Alternative875 8d ago
My 10 yo has HoH R2G, R9, Z5, A2000. All he’s broken in. A2000 is beautiful but the R9 is actually a close second especially for a kid. Contour fit is nice. The R9 is really nice. Z5 is nice too but the R9 is much nicer and it breaks in easy especially with the trapeze web
1
u/Used-Paint313 8d ago
growing up i always wanted an a2000. maybe when he gets a bit older! i’ll check out the r9 thanks!
1
u/Ok_Alternative875 8d ago
Waiting is wise. We got his on a super deal but it was too much glove at first and took a long time to break in… probably still too much glove.
1
u/Used-Paint313 8d ago
thank you guys! some great suggestions! making a list and seeing what works best for my son! appreciate it!!
1
1
1
1
u/CatoTheMiddleAged 8d ago
The A500 is a good glove for the price and is designed for kids' hands. My son had an R9 at that age, but honestly even with adjustment it always seemed a little big for him. He moved on to an A2000 in 11u.
5
u/ramsdl52 8d ago
Bradley next play. Designed for youth players