Are you a former baseball player who is considering getting into softball now that you've 'matured' a bit and find the slower pace of softball to be appealing for your age? You're definitely not alone.
This is a very common transition for many former baseball players.
However, one thing that many overlook at the beginning is the need to invest in a new glove specifically for softball; instead many try to use their old baseball glove or mitt instead.
We'll take a look at why it makes sense to seriously consider getting yourself specific equipment such as a softball mitt or glove in this article.
The most important and obvious reason to get a glove or mitt specifically for softball is the fact that a softball is clearly significantly bigger than a baseball.
Therefore you're going to want to have a bigger pocket in your glove or mitt to accommodate such a ball.
And if you were planning on pulling out your old baseball glove, my guess is that it is pretty well broken in and the pocket is just about perfect by now...
Perfect for a BASEBALL, NOT a softball.
And if you're an ex-baseball player, the last thing you want when you get started playing softball is to make some silly errors out in the field that you 'could' legitimately blame on your equipment...
but trust me; you don't want to start your new softball career coming up with excuses, especially one like that which could be so easily avoided by simply getting yourself the proper equipment for the game you are now playing.
So let's take a very basic look at a softball glove below.
Just like baseball gloves, most softball mitts and gloves are made of leather and will need a certain amount of break-in time before they are supple enough for good use.
There are a number of methods that can be used to help accelerate the break in period including the use of some chemicals that will help soften the leather more quickly.
While you can find some gloves made of synthetic materials, leather is by far the preferred material for gloves and mitts for softball, just like in baseball.
Go leather, don't go cheap.
Also, realize that full grain leather is the preferred type of leather for your glove as it will last considerably longer than if you were to choose a glove made of other kinds of leather.
However, premium steer hide is one other option you could consider that will give you good durability and longevity as well.
The only downside is that this kind of leather is a bit more heavy, a bit stiffer and will take a bit longer to break in.
This is a very common transition for many former baseball players.
However, one thing that many overlook at the beginning is the need to invest in a new glove specifically for softball; instead many try to use their old baseball glove or mitt instead.
We'll take a look at why it makes sense to seriously consider getting yourself specific equipment such as a softball mitt or glove in this article.
The most important and obvious reason to get a glove or mitt specifically for softball is the fact that a softball is clearly significantly bigger than a baseball.
Therefore you're going to want to have a bigger pocket in your glove or mitt to accommodate such a ball.
And if you were planning on pulling out your old baseball glove, my guess is that it is pretty well broken in and the pocket is just about perfect by now...
Perfect for a BASEBALL, NOT a softball.
And if you're an ex-baseball player, the last thing you want when you get started playing softball is to make some silly errors out in the field that you 'could' legitimately blame on your equipment...
but trust me; you don't want to start your new softball career coming up with excuses, especially one like that which could be so easily avoided by simply getting yourself the proper equipment for the game you are now playing.
So let's take a very basic look at a softball glove below.
Just like baseball gloves, most softball mitts and gloves are made of leather and will need a certain amount of break-in time before they are supple enough for good use.
There are a number of methods that can be used to help accelerate the break in period including the use of some chemicals that will help soften the leather more quickly.
While you can find some gloves made of synthetic materials, leather is by far the preferred material for gloves and mitts for softball, just like in baseball.
Go leather, don't go cheap.
Also, realize that full grain leather is the preferred type of leather for your glove as it will last considerably longer than if you were to choose a glove made of other kinds of leather.
However, premium steer hide is one other option you could consider that will give you good durability and longevity as well.
The only downside is that this kind of leather is a bit more heavy, a bit stiffer and will take a bit longer to break in.
Source...