As the days get warmer and the grass gets greener, you just know that the baseball season is right around the corner. It is considered a rite of passage for many kids in America and if we want our young boys and girls of summer to succeed in the field, we need to equip them with a proper fitting glove. This may seem like common sense but there are many parents out there who take the same approach with baseball gloves as they do with clothing: Buy bigger sizes so that the kids can grow into it. While this may work with clothing, it is easy to spot a kid awkwardly trying to field grounders in the field with an oversized glove. So before the start of the season, we here at Vinci are here to help you choose the best glove for your child’s needs!
Fit and Size:
This is probably the most important factor in choosing the best glove for your child. Their hands are always growing so it is important to properly fit their hands for each season. Many parents try to buy gloves that are much too large for their childs’ hand. Not only will this make it difficult for them to catch fly balls and scoop up grounders, you are risking some potential injury as well. A childs’ bones are not fully developed and if a glove is too large it can be cumbersome on their wrists and hands.
Before buying a glove for the first time, it may be prudent to stop in at a store to try some different gloves on. Ideally, your child should be able to squeeze the glove shut when their hand is inside. There should also be a one to two inch space between the tips of their fingers and the top of the inside of the glove. This will allow their hand to grow slightly, but also give them enough strength to squeeze the glove closed when wearing it. Of course, some gloves may be stiff and need to be worn in, but for the most part junior gloves should have no problem being closed.
The glove itself is measured in size from the heel of the glove at the bottom of the palm to the top of the index finger. Have a store associate measure your child’s hand so that you can find the glove that fits best. Baseball and T-ball gloves start out at about eight inches and go up from there, so if you can find the right size the first time you buy a glove, buying subsequent gloves gets easier as your child grows.
Durability:
Your child is going to use this glove for every game and every practice, as well as for backyard catch with friends and family. You’re going to want a glove that is durable enough to withstand near everyday use. Most gloves these days are made from either leather or vinyl or some sort of leather-vinyl composite. Generally speaking, leather gloves are more durable than vinyl ones and last a bit longer, but of course can cost slightly more. Vinyl gloves are still durable, but are often harder to break in and just don’t seem to last quite as long as a good leather glove. The benefits are of course a lower price, especially if your child is growing quickly and may go through more than one glove a season. Either way, both materials are durable enough to withstand the rigors of youth baseball, softball or T-ball.
Like with any sporting gear or equipment, choosing the right baseball glove for your needs is essential to succeeding on the diamond. For children, there are a few factors to take into account but often times they are not locked into a specific position yet so you can be a little more flexible with the type of glove to get them. For adults, it pays to be more particular about glove selection since position, durability, and material all play factors into how a certain glove feels and performs. Baseball gloves can be extremely personal and are a visual symbol of a player’s style and ability. From Little League to the Major Leagues, every player takes time to find the glove that suits them the best for their needs and allows them to perform at the top of their game.
When children are just starting out in the game, it is important to find a durable glove that fits comfortably and is the correct hand. These may sound like rudimentary things to consider, but it’s quite common to see children running around with gloves that are much too large for their hands, with parents hoping that they will grow into them. Not only do these oversized gloves make it difficult for children to catch a ball, but it also hinders the development of their overall catching skills.
Oversized gloves can also be heavier for their developing anatomy, causing unnecessary strain to their wrists and hands. As parents you should aim to purchase a glove that the child can squeeze closed fairly easily allowing them the least amount of resistance when catching a ball. As with most other apparel or clothing, children will continue to outgrow gloves as they progress from season to season so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that they outgrow multiple gloves during their childhood.
Adults have a little more personalized customization that they can look for when choosing a glove (see Vinci’s Custom Glove Builder option for more details). Positional variance is one thing to look at when deciding on a glove. The webbing is a key feature of every glove that players often have a preference for. For example if you are a pitcher you may opt for a basket web or a two-piece web so that the ball is concealed from the batter and it is easier to disguise the grip you have on the ball. If you are an infielder taking hard balls through the dirt you may prefer the H-Web or I-Web that allows dirt and other debris to fall through the holes, ensuring a clean ball that won’t slip out of your hand when throwing. Outfielders may prefer a 6 finger web with a deeper pocket to soften the blow from high pop flys. First basemen and catchers have their own specific type of gloves as well, given the velocity that the ball is often travelling when it reaches their gloves.
For children and adults, it is vital to find a glove that fits your hand properly and feels secure, otherwise it could affect your performance on the field. Your glove should be durable and it should be able to be squeezed close without much resistance, when new. The style and color is up to your own personal preference, but keep in mind the different types of gloves for each position.
Manually breaking in a baseball glove is superior to having it done mechanically. When you personally break in your glove, you get a closer fit to your hand. You can also more closely control the magnitude of wear and prevent any damage to your glove. While it takes a little time and effort, the advantages to this method make it worthwhile. Additionally, there’s a level of satisfaction players attain after breaking in a baseball glove using their own two hands. It might take some time, but it’s worth it!
How to Break in a Baseball Glove Overnight
The steps below will show how to break in a baseball glove overnight. However, a glove will continue to be more broken in with each play. Preparing it for that first play is what this break-in process is all about. Baseball and softball gloves are stiff and less flexible right out of manufacturing. When you get a new baseball glove, it is necessary to soften the leather for increased flexibility and ease of squeeze. Forming the pocket will ensure better control. Learn quickly how to break in a baseball glove overnight so you can get started playing with your new glove right away!
Warnings About Breaking in a Baseball Glove
Before we get started, it is important to note that there are a couple things that can ruin your glove. Though you may have heard of break-in techniques that include use of a microwave, steam or water, don’t do it. The amount of heat that would cause a glove to be too hot to touch is damaging. A warm glove that is still cool enough to handle with bare hands, is ideal. This can be accomplished by sitting the glove in a warm car. Water is harmful to baseball gloves and should be avoided when breaking in a glove.
Steps to Breaking in a Baseball Glove or Mitt
Follow these steps when breaking in a baseball glove. Each step is essential to the overall outcome of the process. Keep in mind that your glove is not delicate. There is no need to be gentle as you bend, fold, beat and manhandle the glove.
Pre-Condition the Glove or Mitt:
Coat the glove with glove conditioner, avoiding the mesh. The conditioner won’t hurt the mesh, it simply won’t absorb and can leave you with a mess. Be sure to coat the pocket, laces, rear and opening of the inner hand. You can wear gloves to protect your hands but the conditioner won’t hurt your hands either. Gloves are used for quick clean up. The thin layer of conditioner does not need to be left overnight. You can begin breaking in a baseball glove immediately after applying.
Allow to Warm Briefly:
Set the glove in a warm car for approximately twenty minutes or so to warm the glove, but not make it too hot.
Roll the Glove:
Using your hands and the weight of your body, roll the glove side to side.
Beat the Glove:
Using a glove mallet, beat the palm a little. Focus more on beating the inner glove, heel and hinge points. It is best to place on a concrete surface when doing so.
Roll Some More:
Repeat step three.
Shoe Shine Method:
To loosen glove fibers and inner linings, firmly move the heel back and forth simulating a shoe shining motion. Repeat with the fingers and at the point where the lower web joins the glove.
Beat Edges:
Beat along the edges where the seams are with the glove mallet.
Repeat Steps One and Three:
Apply more conditioner to the glove and roll the glove some more.
Place Ball in Pocket and Wrap:
Place the forming pocket ball into the pocket of the glove and wrap the glove tightly. Wrap the glove in an X pattern.
Warm Overnight:
Store the wrapped glove overnight in a warm vehicle.
Manipulation:
In the morning, unwrap the glove and continue to beat, fold and manipulate as needed to complete the glove break-in procedure. Be sure to toss a ball in the pocket area many times to further form the pocket.
Try the Vinci Baseball Glove Break-In Kit
To make breaking in a baseball glove easy, Vinci has developed a glove break-in kit. This exclusive glove break-in kit includes everything you need to effectively break in a baseball or softball glove. The tapered handle of the glove mallet can easily be used to help shape finger stalls. For forming the palm pocket, use the hollow forming ball (or use a baseball or softball if you prefer) with the glove bands.
Included in the kit:
Vinci Glove Bag
Glove Mallet
2 Glove Bands
Rubber Gloves
Glove Conditioner
Forming Pocket Ball
For Help Breaking in a Baseball Glove
Thank you for choosing a Vinci glove. If you need help breaking in a baseball glove, please feel free to contact us. We support our players and are happy to help you make the play! Email Wayne at askwayne@vincipro.com with any questions or concerns about breaking in your Vinci glove! Also, check out this video that shows Wayne breaking in a Vinci.
If you have a young player that you are responsible for, you want the best youth baseball gloves. These model gloves offer a number of important features to protect young players from injury. They are made especially for younger players. When you choose one of our gloves, you get a quality product that was specifically made for younger players. Professional baseball glove patterns are available in our youth baseball gloves. We offer several models that are designed for smaller hands yet maintain the quality of a Vinci. The Fortus Advanced Youth Series is the next step from our Youth glove series. In this series we utilized lightweight softer steer hide leather for an easy and simple break in time. We have also beefed up the padding in our Fortus line of gloves therefore becoming more of an advanced youth type of glove.
Baseball Gloves Made for Safety
There are many aspects that go into making our youth baseball gloves the best. The primary purpose of our baseball gloves is to protect a young player’s hand. Pro-grade leather palm pads provide the foundation for preventing injuries. They absorb the impact of hard hits of the ball, reducing the chance of your player getting hurt. Our gloves provide this protection without inhibiting your game.
Left Handed Thrower or Right Handed Thrower Kids Models
Gloves can only be the best youth baseball gloves for your player if they are made for the type of thrower he or she is. Vinci youth baseball gloves are available for left handed throwers or right handed throwers. Models that are available for left handed throwers include the BRV1961, BRV1951, BRV1957, BRV1953 and BRV1950. Simply choose which thrower option you desire on the order form.
Which baseball size glove is best for your child?
Determining the best youth baseball gloves for your child is based on a variety of factors. At this stage, the size of the glove will be of upmost importance. That’s why Vinci youth baseball gloves come in a variety of sizes. Starting at a 10 inch size, these gloves can accommodate very small hands. Other sizes in our youth baseball gloves series include 10.5, 11, 11.5, and 12 inch sizes. Our Fortus series also has 12.5 inch and 13.5 inch gloves as well as 30.5 inch and 32.5 inch catcher’s mitts. No matter which size you need, the best youth baseball gloves manufactured by Vinci will be made from high end pro-grade materials.
Our Materials in 2021
Pro-grade pretreated leather enhances the comfort of our best youth baseball gloves while providing flexibility. Young players can easily grip the ball due to this easy-to-break in leather. Vinci’s best youth baseball gloves are lightweight too. Young players appreciate these gloves for quick efficient transfers.
Overview
Below is a brief review for all the best youth baseball gloves we carry. Included in the review are the age recommendations that typically work for each glove. Listed as well are the sizes, web style and color of each glove model. All of our gloves come with a limited manufacturer’s warranty for one year. There are a few restrictions on the warranty. It will not cover gloves that have been steamed, put in the microwave or oven or haven’t been conditioned properly. All Vinci youth baseball gloves also have the option to add glove conditioner to the order for the reduced price of one dollar. In addition to the youth/junior baseball gloves series, Vinci also has a transitional series. Learn more details about the Youth Transitional Baseball Gloves in the Fortus Series section below.
Vinci Model BRV1961 – Can be used for Ages 3-5 Years
This model glove is made for ages 3-5 years. The superior quality of this glove is not often found in gloves for players so young. This 10 inch beauty has a single post web style and an open back. The black BRV1961 is made for infielders. Start your young player off right with a Vinci. They are sure to enjoy the game more when they are fitted with the right equipment.
Vinci Model BRV1951 – Suited for Ages 8-9 Years
The BRV1951 gloves are 11.5 inch fielder’s gloves that are suitable for players ages 8-9. Infielders and outfielders will appreciate the durability of this glove making it long lasting. The black glove features a Tombo web style and an open back. Quality meets comfort in this youth glove. Learn how to break in your new gloves with easy instructions on the Team Vinci YouTube channel.
Vinci Model BRV1957
This black 10.5 inch youth glove has an I-web design and features an open back. An infielder glove, the BRV1957 is flexible yet durable and since it is a Vinci glove, it is made to last. VinciPro gloves make excellent gifts. Surprise your young player with a new baseball glove from VinciPro.com.
Vinci Model BRV1953
Made for either infielders or outfielders, the BRV1953 boasts a lightweight design. With a closed basket web and open back, these youth baseball gloves are functional while helping improve game play. If you are looking for a black 11 inch glove that has a professional feel, the search stops here. This is the best youth baseball glove made by Vinci to generally fit ages 6-8.
Vinci Model BRV1950
Deep pockets are a Vinci signature and players who use this 12 inch fielder’s glove will notice the Vinci difference. With characteristics like an H-web and open back, the BRV1950 youth baseball gloves are repeatedly the glove of choice.
Best Youth in Transition Baseball Gloves for 2021
As players grow physically and in their athletic ability, a time will come when youth baseball gloves will no longer suffice. The transition from our youth models to adult models is an exciting time! VinciPro.com developed a series that specifically works well for the transition. If you already have a Vinci youth glove, you already know about the quality materials, deep pocket design and comfort of a Vinci. Fortus Series gloves introduce you to other elements of a Vinci like thick pinky and thumb loops for added protection. Vinci Fortus Series gloves retain their shape due to thick supports in the pinky and thumb as well. Extended palm pads and extra leather lacing are other perks of owning a Fortus Series glove.
Vinci Fortus Series 11.5 Inch Fielder’s Glove
Ideal for the casual player, this glove is one of the best transitional youth baseball gloves. It can be used for youth or adults. An open back glove in brown and black, this fielder’s glove is definitely worth checking out.
Vinci Fortus 32.5 Inch Fastpitch Catcher’s Mitt
The Fortus Fastpitch Catcher’s Mitt comes in navy blue and black. Catcher’s young and old will appreciate the quality that this Vinci catcher’s mitt has to offer. Dual Post H-Web and Velcro are just a couple things you’ll like about this one
Vinci Fortus Series 12 Inch Fielder’s Glove Red and Black
A popular choice, this glove is another transitional glove that Vinci offers. The red and black color is accented with white lace. It features Velcro and a Net-T back.
Why VinciPro.com
VinciPro.com was established in 1997 but the Vinci legacy started long before then. The owner, Pete Vinci started playing at the age of 5 but his love of the game started even before that. Working together with his son Peter, Vinci has introduced several lines of baseball and softball gloves. Each series brings forth the quality for which VinciPro has earned its reputation. Dozens of professional players use Vinci gloves as they play and for good reason. This family company has taken a passion for baseball and filled a need for players throughout the United States. We are confident that our best youth baseball gloves will be a good fit for your young player.
As part of our National Advertising Campaign, Vinci Sports LLC is currently seeking new dealers to join our team of associates. Player Representatives are authorized dealers of Vinci product that consist of baseball and softball players, coaches, and directors of athletic programs.
As a player or coach, you have substantial access to people who use sports equipment. This could be a potential advantage for you should you want to ever make money selling sporting goods, such as Vinci Pro’s high quality baseball and softball gloves and gear. Right now Vinci is currently seeking new Player Representatives. As a Player Representative, you have the ability to purchase Vinci products at wholesale prices which allows you to sell them to your network of friends, family and sports acquaintances for a significant profit.
There’s no need for you to own a Website because your customers can view product information, photos and details right on the VinciPro.com Website and place their orders with you! Vinci also provides its Player Representatives with tri-fold folders and catalogs and will even provide 500 business cards to the Player Representative once his/her sales total $1000.
There are no fees associated with being a Vinci Player Representative and after the initial order, a Player Representative only needs to place orders for the product sold. Vinci will even ship products directly to your customers (shipping charge applies).
The Vinci Pro Player Representative Program has low start-up costs and includes a tiered incentive program which helps representatives earn free products.
You can represent Vinci with your team or program, at tournaments, at coach clinics and more, all while earning money!
If you’d like more information on the Player Representative Program, or to sign up, contact Nick Battle at NBattle@VinciPro.com. Be a part of the Vinci Pro team and MAKE THE PLAY, or in this case, MAKE THE PAY!
