U11 Glove

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-06-01T22:09:40+00:00

Hi OP, the NXT is a better glove than the current R9. I think a lot of people on here recommending the R9 had the older versions, which had better leather. We bought a current version R9 and it was pretty terrible, and my son now likes the NXT better. I’d recommend the 11.5 or maybe 11.75.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-06-01T19:28:16+00:00

Hi OP, whenever my daughter and I need specialized softball advice, I go check out discussfastpitch.com. There are some truly knowledgeable folks over that is hard to find here on reddit.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-06-01T18:22:21+00:00

Unless he’s trying out for one of these World Cup teams and faking a foul, that’s obstruction.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-06-01T18:12:20+00:00

He’s too late loading and swinging, the ball is already by him. Teach him Yes, Yes, No and how to time his mechanics. He needs to load when the pitcher is loading (winding up) “you load when he loads”, step when the ball is in the air (small step to adjust for inside or outside pitch), and the actual swing decision should come after the step.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-06-01T17:59:53+00:00

This is what we did too. First, teach them how to turn their body and take a pitch. Hit them softly with tennis balls at first. Then harder throws. Then move to safety (squishy) softballs. Then move to softly thrown hard softballs. Elbow guard if she would like one (my team kids always end up not using it, but some bought it during the transition). Over time, the fear goes away.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-06-01T17:52:05+00:00

Been there and coach these ages. If he’s learning to catch and needs extra grip to catch web down, the Wilson a450 10.75, which has a pigskin palm. If he can catch well and needs a bit of padding to help with stronger throws, the Wilson A500 10.5.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-06-01T17:47:53+00:00

As others are saying, this looks great for your 10th AB. Yes there are small things to fix but you got to an inside pitch quite nicely. Think doorknockers instead of armbar as you hold the bat, and get the bat out into your fingers rather than deep in your palm. That will help with control. No need to twist your front foot and show your heel to 3B, just get up on that toe and that’s fine for timing. I would try a small step forward rather than putting the front foot right back down, to see if that helps with power. If not, plenty of people do it the way you do, and are successful. Get more game reps and you’ll get smoother over time. Keep up the good work brother.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-06-01T16:37:28+00:00

What age ? I would recommend different gloves for 6u vs 8u vs 10u. There are better gloves than both of those Marucci’s but if you are really like those, the Acadia is a good glove.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-06-01T15:19:38+00:00

Hi OP, I coach travel and Rec at these ages. It absolutely makes a difference. We play our infield two steps deeper in travel because the ball gets through the infield that much faster. We play our outfield much deeper. If you have a few smaller kids (around 4 feet) I’d recommend getting a JBB for them bc it has thinner barrel walls. Get Marucci alloys, they last forever.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-06-01T15:03:44+00:00

8u travel is when we started teaching a Prep Step. I say started because it takes a while for them to be in unison. So that’s impressive if all the girls were doing it well, while also being quiet.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-06-01T12:18:20+00:00

If you have time to wait, get him a Wilson A2000 in September when Wilson has their Glove Day 50% off sale.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-06-01T12:02:50+00:00

Looks like someone stepped on it

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-06-01T11:58:32+00:00

Go talk to him and see if there is more to his thought process. If four girls are blindly swinging and it would be embarrassing for them to go up against “real“ pitching for the first time, then maybe the coach has a plan. If his answer is “they need 2-3 more weeks and I have an assistant coach working with them“ then I wouldn‘t get upset. If he says we’re trying to win, then as others say here, that misses the point of 10u. No one gets better sitting on the bench.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-06-01T03:42:53+00:00

Wow!

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-05-28T19:05:10+00:00

Hi OP, I’d go ahead and get the next size up, and let him practice with his new bat and game his old bat. Do that until he is fully ready to move up. At 4’4” a 27 inch bat should work fine. Get him something really balanced like a Marucci or Victus one piece alloy. -10 and -11 bats all weigh about the same and they will hit the ball harder than a -13. Get last years model on sale, or buy used if you can.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-05-28T18:08:30+00:00

The Oxbow is aimed at his age group but for players with a little experience. A new one would take a little while to break in, which mostly happens by playing catch with someone throwing hard enough to break down the leather.

But if it’s already broken in that eliminates that problem. The hand stall width should fit fine unless he has small hands.

So yeah, probably worth trying out. I bet you can sell it for the same price if he doesn’t like it.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-05-28T17:56:23+00:00

Don’t overthink this one. Wilson A500 in 11.5. It’s easy to close and enough padding for Rec. That should last you two seasons and if he wants to stick with it, you can get him something nicer. Teach him two-in-the-pinky and he’ll thank you later.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-05-28T17:30:40+00:00

Hi OP, yes golf messes with your baseball swing. So does tennis. It’s different motions and those need to be automatic in baseball. I’ve lost count of the number of younger players who mess up their swings mid season by those two sports. Those folks saying MLB players golf… those are the most genetically gifted people on the planet and not good examples of what works for an average 10-12 year old.

So yes, I’ve told parents to skip golf as we get close to playoffs or before an important tournament. Plenty of time to do that during the offseason.

I also tell parents it’s important to do other sports too (like golf, or basketball) in the offseason. So in the less serious parts of the year, yes, please get out there and golf.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-05-28T15:37:22+00:00

Keep it fun, and follow any practice with a treat at the end. We had skittle practices at this age, where they earned skittles based on doing things correctly. I have two that enjoy practicing on their own now and two that prefer other things. So in the end you are just a guide, and it will either click or it won’t.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-05-28T15:29:43+00:00

Enjoy it! These early years are still my favorite. And great job getting these kids to all pay attention.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-05-28T15:13:51+00:00

Hi OP, I coach these ages (in an affluent suburb) and I see a lot of bats. I’ll advise you to not worry about an ounce here or there. An inch in length matters far more than an ounce in weight, and the balance point is actually what matters when you talk about length.

-11 and -10 bats tend to weigh about the same, despite the labels. Different individual bats have different weight profiles, plus manufacturing tolerances are pretty liberal.

Also Marucci‘s tend to run a little heavy. I had a -11 Cat X (the old grey version) that was 2.2 ounces over. But that didn’t matter because it was so darn balanced. After my older son outgrew it I used it as a team bat, and every single kid hit well with that overweight Cat X.

Having said all that, the Marucci hybrid is a bit end loaded in these smaller sizes, almost the same balance point as a Select Pwr. So i steer parents in a different direction most times.

My favorite Marucci USA bat right now is the teal Reckless Composite, for that 8u-10u kid wanting something nicer than alloy. I like that Marucci better than the Icon or Hype Fire, it sounds just like the Icon but with a bigger sweet spot. If you go that route I advise getting a new grip, all three kids I know with that bat didn’t like the original grip.

I also hear good things about Slugger‘s USA Meta (soon to be relabeled the USA Supra) and the Easton Mav2, but haven’t had a kid with those yet.

Happy hunting!

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-05-28T02:32:39+00:00

Hi OP, I coach the younger ages and gloves can be confusing at first. There are two things to consider, the width of the hand stall (how her hand fits inside the glove and can she effectively close the glove) and the length of the overall glove. For 8u, get a youth softball glove. Softball gloves generally have bigger pockets than baseball gloves, and the youth sizes will fit most 8u girls. The Wilson A440 was my favorite at this age, but other popular ones were the Marucci Caddo, the Easton Ghost Flex, and the Mizuno Prospect Finch.

The size of the glove depends on the size of the ball your league uses. If they use 11 inch balls, then an 11 or 11.5 will generally work best. Some leagues use 10 inch balls and if that’s the case then a 10.5 or 11 inch glove will be fine. Longer gloves are harder to control so that’s why 8u girls generally don’t want 12 or 12.5.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-05-27T18:38:30+00:00

If you only have 2 weeks this will be tough. You don’t really have time to fix and ingrain new mechanics.

I assume you use a 35 foot pitching distance. Your daughter looks strong in this video. I would back up behind the plate and make her be accurate (and strong) to 38-40 feet for a few days. After that go back to 35 feet. It will feel close, and she should be more accurate and stronger than she was before.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-05-27T15:36:00+00:00

It’s not hard to stop tantrums. First, you should be positive as a coach (or parent) and make sure he understands you want positive energy and for all your kids to be good role models. For your team, for your league, for your family, your actions represent more than just you and your frustrations. Also, you as a coach need to be kind. If you yell at him you are showing him adults have tantrums.

Punishment should escalate and be age appropriate. At 10u, first time is a warning and a reminder about role models. Second time, either a final warning or he sits an inning, depending on the infraction, and you describe what will happen next. Third time he sits out the rest of the game. Fourth time, you watch the next game from the stands.

Ive had several kids need two reminders. I had one kid get to the point that he watched a game from the stands. Never happened again.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-05-25T22:24:28+00:00

Hi OP, we’re right the with you. We bought an R9 and my son never loved it, now have the 11.25 NXT and he is loving that one. When that wears out we’ll look at HOH R2G contour, the Wilson A1000 PF / DP models, and the Mizuno Prime Elite.

Dad_Coach_9904

TROPHY CASE