My oldest daughter has started playing again (will try to post /brag about that in another thread!). It was time to replace her 12” Rawlings glove, which has held up well (paid ~$50 for it 4 years ago), but being a lefty, she’s destined for the OF, and asked for a bigger glove.
Because a few members here had previously posted about deals they’d found on Walmart.com, I quickly discovered that there were definitely some deals on Mizuno’s still to be had.
She didn’t really have too strong a preference - preferred brown over black, and based purely on pictures, preferred a basket web over an H or I web. I was hoping to stay around $100, but was still surprised when I showed her this one (brown with white lettering and white trim) and she said that was the one she wanted.
Here’s where it pays off being a lefty. This link should bring up the RHT version in black: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mizuno-Pro-Select-Fastpitch-Softball-Glove-12-5/461101174?selected=true. Notice the $250 price tag. Even the LHT in black was this price.
This is the link for the brown, LHT style she went with: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mizuno-Pro-Select-Fastpitch-Softball-Glove-12-5/855613028?selected=true. I have to assume it’s the same glove, just a different color, but $144 difference in price? Hitting “add to cart” was a no-brainer. And I had to wait 3 whole days to get it - oh the inconvenience of free shipping! It arrived today, and we opened the box this evening. My youngest just received the MA 12.25 A2000 for her birthday, and while I expected that glove to require some serious break in, the Pro Select leather seems to be a much sturdier and thicker leather. Time to channel my inner Aso...
Here’s some glove porn - this is a fastpitch model. And I really have to squeeze my average-sized hand in to get past the opening.
I may be changing my opinion on the finger stalls - the leather is way too thick to be mistakenly stretched out just from me trying to break the glove in. (But I’m still not going to jam my fingers in there).
And the obligatory “money shot” with a 12” ball - looks like plenty of room, and I’ll be encouraging her to get an even deeper pocket with a TIP approach.
She tried it on and could barely make a dent in the side trying to close it. I had her put a light coat of obenauf’s on the interior, and we discussed a few options for breaking it in. She wants to try the water method, but I think I may skip the “wedge it on your dashboard” method to dry it out.
The glove is heavy enough already, so I’m steering clear of any oils. I still have some conditioner left over from my Vinci catchers mitt, so that may go on the rest of the glove after it dries. The leather looks great - I don’t want to darken it any further, so unless more drastic measures are needed, the Obenaufs will just be used in the hand stall. If the spring season isn’t a complete loss, I’m hoping this new glove gets to see some game action in a few weeks. Mallet and weights standing by to begin break-in!
Thanks for any tips you care to share.
Gags
Because a few members here had previously posted about deals they’d found on Walmart.com, I quickly discovered that there were definitely some deals on Mizuno’s still to be had.
She didn’t really have too strong a preference - preferred brown over black, and based purely on pictures, preferred a basket web over an H or I web. I was hoping to stay around $100, but was still surprised when I showed her this one (brown with white lettering and white trim) and she said that was the one she wanted.
Here’s where it pays off being a lefty. This link should bring up the RHT version in black: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mizuno-Pro-Select-Fastpitch-Softball-Glove-12-5/461101174?selected=true. Notice the $250 price tag. Even the LHT in black was this price.
This is the link for the brown, LHT style she went with: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mizuno-Pro-Select-Fastpitch-Softball-Glove-12-5/855613028?selected=true. I have to assume it’s the same glove, just a different color, but $144 difference in price? Hitting “add to cart” was a no-brainer. And I had to wait 3 whole days to get it - oh the inconvenience of free shipping! It arrived today, and we opened the box this evening. My youngest just received the MA 12.25 A2000 for her birthday, and while I expected that glove to require some serious break in, the Pro Select leather seems to be a much sturdier and thicker leather. Time to channel my inner Aso...
Here’s some glove porn - this is a fastpitch model. And I really have to squeeze my average-sized hand in to get past the opening.
I may be changing my opinion on the finger stalls - the leather is way too thick to be mistakenly stretched out just from me trying to break the glove in. (But I’m still not going to jam my fingers in there).
And the obligatory “money shot” with a 12” ball - looks like plenty of room, and I’ll be encouraging her to get an even deeper pocket with a TIP approach.
She tried it on and could barely make a dent in the side trying to close it. I had her put a light coat of obenauf’s on the interior, and we discussed a few options for breaking it in. She wants to try the water method, but I think I may skip the “wedge it on your dashboard” method to dry it out.
The glove is heavy enough already, so I’m steering clear of any oils. I still have some conditioner left over from my Vinci catchers mitt, so that may go on the rest of the glove after it dries. The leather looks great - I don’t want to darken it any further, so unless more drastic measures are needed, the Obenaufs will just be used in the hand stall. If the spring season isn’t a complete loss, I’m hoping this new glove gets to see some game action in a few weeks. Mallet and weights standing by to begin break-in!
Thanks for any tips you care to share.
Gags
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