Need a great father/son father's day gift

First and foremost welcome to the greatest high school baseball website in this great nation.

In my opinion, I'd just buy your son a baseball glove cause us old men really like broken in gloves and you stated that your husband really liked his.

The way I would go for your sons glove is go to baseballexpress.com and look at the selections they have. They have all great gloves from many brands to choose from. I prefer Rawlings. They also have youth and adult sections at baseballexpress.com. It's pretty easy to shop.
I'm sure you'll get many responses on this topic.

Good luck.

Thanks, Rock-N-Fire.

I've overheard my husband talk about how much he loves his glove, so I'm thinking I should just buy my son a high-quality glove instead. I know better than to try to replace my husband's anything He's the same way about shoes and hammers.

But our son really needs a new one because I think he's grown out of his old one. I think he needs an 11.5 and I can probably spend about $150. This is something they do together, and he's really excited about our son being good at baseball, so I know this would be a great gift, even if it's for our son and not him. I got them tickets to see the Nats and Orioles last year, and they LOVED it, so I am really proud that they finally found something they can do together (when he was younger he was more into reading and toys).

I've been looking around on the internet and there are mixed reviews. I'm just afraid to drop money on something that isn't "him." I want to make sure I get a great glove for him.

Thanks!

ac599 - Welcome!

I always like Rawlings gloves too. And I always liked breaking in my sons' gloves too...so I think you're on the right track!

Go for the really nice one...and leave a note that its "Dad's job" to break it in for junior!

Then I should get a Rawlings for our son, too? There are so many models, though. How do I know which one is best?

You can definitely get a top notch glove for under $100, not including shipping. Rawlings, Easton, Louisville Slugger, Mizuno, and Nike all have
11"-11 3/4" for under $100. The way to go for selection is baseballexpress.com. Just my opinion, again good luck.

About the models, I'd be concerned for that later on in age. You know the size which was 11.5. That's a great size for a 9 year-old. Different models and that type of stuff, to me, is for the older boys. I wouldn't worry about models right now. That's just me.

I've read some good things about the Rawlings PRODJ2 heart of the hide glove. Is that too much for a 9-year-old? They have them on eBay for $159.

Buy your Husband a catcher's mitt and your son a glove.
Your son might want to catch at some point in the future, and the mitt will be broke in.

Young players go thru gloves rather quickly.
You can't go wrong with a Rawling's.
There's many new glove manufacturer's out there and some are very high quality.
Teaching a player to take care of there equipment is all part of the process, lesson's learned.

EH

ac599,

I have to agree with Rock-N-Fire's last post that models aren't that big of a deal at this age. At 9 I wouldn't consider a glove so stiff that it needed a very long time to break it in. We favored a more flexible glove. I can't say when my son graduated to a real glove though, sorry.

You didn't mention what position your son plays or how much experience he has. That is essential knowledge for beginning the search. There is a difference between infielder's and outfielder's gloves. The pitcher's glove has its own features. And the catcher's mitt and first baseman's mitt are uniquely designed for their own specific use. You might already know all this, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to bring it up just in case.

Although I am a Rawlings fan, there are many other fine brands out there. I see it as a personal preference that is based on feelings, and not just the feelings of fit. Since your son's dad has a Rawlings, I think that is a very safe bet. I'm not sure where my son's preference originated, but he has always played with Rawlings.

quote:

Originally posted by theEH:
Buy your Husband a catcher's mitt and your son a glove.
Your son might want to catch at some point in the future, and the mitt will be broke in.

Now, that is an awesome idea, EH.

I know he has an infielder's glove. I don't know if he specializes in a specific "position" in the sport, but I can ask my husband.

I think that's a very sweet and creative idea!

I can't give any advice on types of gloves. I will say that I wouldn't spend $159 on a glove for your son though. At nine, they're still learning to be responsible and care for their equipment. They're also growing very fast.

Regardless of what you chose, I hope your family enjoys father's day and any baseball that might be played that weekend!

I think a baseball glove for your son is a great Father's day present.

I always played with Rawlings - and as a result my son does too... Great gloves - and while there are many other fine brands you can't go wrong with a Rawlings.

My son is 19 now - but when he was nine, I got him something very much like this glove:

http://www.ballglovewarehouse....uct.view.aspx?p=8134

He used it for several years and still has it in his closet. I don't think he will ever part with his first real glove.

You could also give your husband a bottle of Glovolium - he will love the smell...

http://www.aluminumbats.com/ra...zglovetreatment.aspx

Have a great Father's day!!!

Well, to lafmom, I know that my husband is especially proud of our son's baseball ability. That said, I really want to WOW him this year. Since we've been married, I've gotten him Father's Day gifts that seemed a bit generic and thoughtless. Finally I have something that I can give him that he and our son could enjoy together, so I do want it to be special. If that means spending an extra $50, so be it. I just want him to know that I value the relationship he has with our son and didn't just pick some random glove off the shelf. I'd really love to give him a glove that means something to both of them.

Thanks, 08dad. I was thinking about getting him a glove like his dad's

If you buy a Rawling's you can have it embroidered with there name along the thumb.

Customize it.

http://www.rawlings.com/customglove/

EH

quote:

Originally posted by theEH:
If you buy a Rawling's you can have it embroidered with there name along the thumb.

Customize it.

http://www.rawlings.com/customglove/

EH

That is a very nice way to make a glove special. We have a very well worn one with son's name on it. It will always be around.

AC599:

A glove like his dad's is a great idea. You won't find the exact model anymore - but you can certainly match up the web design and the back. Look to see if his dad's is a "fastback" or not. Very distinctive design point...

Don't forget that Rawlings makes some great luggage/accessories that can be considered for Father's Day. The leather smell, texture and appearance of the luggage/accessories reminds one of their first baseball glove....

Rawlings luggage

I wouldn't put too much into father - son gloves for a young player and dad. When I lost my college glove I replaced it with a $60 glove. My son used $30 gloves through LL. I found the Rawlings Derek Jeter models to be mostly broken in right off the shelf.

If you don't know what to get, find a store with a good selection and give them gift certificates. They'll have even more fun going to the store, trying on all the gloves and selecting their own. If you want a thrill go watch your son choosing a glove. Look for the gleam in his eye when he makes a decision and purchases it.

I would have to agree that I would just get your son a glove.As nice as it would be for myself to have a nice new glove,I find more joy in seeing my son using the better equiptment.

My son plays multiple position and I've had very good experiences with the Mizuno Prospect Series.He has a 11.75" fielders glove and a 31.5" and a 32" catchers mitt.All were very easy to break in and most of all they are "youth" models so the finger pockets fit his hand nicely as opposed to adult gloves.The Louisville Slugger Omaha Crossover series looks/feels good for younger players.I have one is a first basemans mitt coming in a few days.