Best Choice for 11.75 in. Glove??

[jdn4891]

Ok, I know I want an 11.75 in. glove. I've had a Mizuno Classic pro, and liked it, but want something a little stiffer, but not something that is designed to last 20 years. Overall longevity of the glove is not important to me.

That said, which of all of these leather types I see would suit me. Not so stiff that it's crazy stiff, but then not as soft as my Mizuno Classic Pro. I've seen Kip, Horsteen, Deguchi (or something like that) leathers, and these names mean nothing to me.

I've looked at Akadema, Vinci, Yennaco, Mizuno, Rawlings, TPX (considering the Flare), and then there's the A2000 and the A2K?

Any and All comments/advice are welcomed.

[CPatt44]

I recommend the Glovesmith Custom Elite glove made with their CRS leather. You can customize it to your specific taste. Look at www.customglove.com The Glovesmith Custom Elite sells for $219 shipped to your door.

[The Glovedoctor]

Here are a few pics of the Mizuno I was talking about. I have owned this glove for about 4 years - broke it in with a mallet, so it is game ready. Played catch with it maybe 2 or 3 times. Relaced it with about the strongest rawhide available, and I have been hanging on to it to give to my son someday. I don't think that is a real good idea, though - could use the extra bucks these days....

Anyway, it is a Mizuno GZP50 (11.75) and I got it for a little over $250 as it was their top of the line model at the time. A couple of cool features it has are that it has NO thumb-loop as it seems the inside of this glove is built to "fit" to your hand. Kind of like that memory foam in some chairs/beds. REALLY sweet glove - I just love my Rawlings....

http://images9.fotki.com/v163/photos/4/41654/1509263/MizunoGZP5003272005002-vi.jpg?

http://images9.fotki.com/v169/photos/4/41654/1509263/MizunoGZP5003272005003-vi.jpg?

Here is a link to the "Before & After" pics of this glove (the only slight differences are the pinky lace has been relaced in black as well, and the web has the "XX" lace instead of the pictured "XXX" pattern).....

http://www.glovedoctor.net/MIZUNOgzp50.htm

[Hartattack52]

I have two HOH and a Primo from Rawlings. I also have a Wilson A2000 and A Mizuno Classic Pro. My favorite is Rawlings. The HOH is all you need. The Primo is amazing and by far the best glove I have ever used. You don't need to spend $400 to get a nice glove though, $180-$200 will buy you a nice HOH.

Hope this helps.

[glovemedic]

You don't need to spend $400 to get a nice glove though, $180-$200 will buy you a nice HOH.

I also have a HOH 11.75 I webb with the mod open back. It fits snugly, and the flat-open pocket fields groundballs like nobody's business. Its one of my sweetest gloves and a joy to use.

[stl002]

if you want a stiff glove i'd definitely go with the HOH

[BaseballOC2]

whats the difference between the HOH and the PPF's if the HOH is just as good why go with the PPF and spend the extra 100$?

[jdn4891]

if you want a stiff glove i'd definitely go with the HOH

I don't want a Super Stiff glove now. I really like the soft supple feel of the leather of my Mizuno Classic pro, but it's like I want a middle ground. I want something stiffer than the Mizuno Classic, but not something overly stiff.

Is that what the HOH gloves are like? Or would you say they are a Super Stiff glove?

[The Glovedoctor]

If anyone wants a stiff glove, go with the Nike Pro Gold Tradition line. By far the stiffest I have ever seen.

[stl002]

whats the difference between the HOH and the PPF's if the HOH is just as good why go with the PPF and spend the extra 100$?

pro preferreds are made from kip leather (leather from "teenage" cows)...i think the cows used for kip leather are between 6 months to a year old...as you can see, since the time period is relatively short, the supply of this type of leather is less...leading to the increased price. Performance wise, kip leather is a little lighter (although i couldn't tell the difference), softer, and easier to break in...however, they usually don't hold their shape as well or last as long as the HOH's...also...since the leather is softer, rawlings has added a little more padding to the pro preferreds...which some think is detrimental to its performance.

[stl002]

I don't want a Super Stiff glove now. I really like the soft supple feel of the leather of my Mizuno Classic pro, but it's like I want a middle ground. I want something stiffer than the Mizuno Classic, but not something overly stiff.

Is that what the HOH gloves are like? Or would you say they are a Super Stiff glove?

the HOH's are definitely stiff...although i have compared different HOH's and some are a little stiffer than others...i feel like you would probably be best with a wilson a2000...generally, mizuno makes the softest gloves out to the 3 (wilson, mizuno, and rawlings) and rawlings gloves are usually the hardest.

[59FIFTY]

The new pro limiteds are really nice, just as stiff as a HOH or PP took me a loooong time to break in but when you get it right you don't want to take it off.

I use a GMP 6 11.5" at 3rd;)

[Quiz]

Chosing the right glove is a very individual thing and what fits for one doesn't fit for another. Just go to a big store and try out all of their expensive gloves. If you end up with Wilson, Rawlings or Mizuno doesn't really matter in the end.

When I was still playing (15 years ago), I was using a Wilson A2800 at first base which I simply ordered from our main supplier. During practice I noticed that I felt much more comfortable using a cheap Rawlings signature series glove....