My boys all played infield for travel ball and transitioned to R9 gloves around 9u/ Kid pitch. Highly recommend it, held up till around 12u when they graduated to full leather like A2000 or similar.
Could get it at 8u to start breaking in at home, and be ready for 9u season.
I'll add that the 11.75 inch modified trap was perfect for all around use at infield, pitcher and isn't too bad for outfield either if it's not primary position
Personally I wouldn't use an A2000 at 8u as it's an adult fitting glove, not designed for small hands. It's also really hard to break in for an 8 year old, and the full leather is heavy for most players that age.
I liked the R9 as a good quality youth glove to handle 8-11 years until ready for a full leather adult glove
If you don't mind spending more, Nokona super soft youth gloves gloves are also great for 8-11 years.
My boys used both Nokona youth super soft and Rawlings R9s, until they got to 12u, and then I got them a full size adult gloves (Wilson A2K and Nokona have been their favs so far for 12u through Highschool).
I don't have any experience with that glove but have seen it referenced in this sub as a decent mid grade glove.
For youth under 12 my preference in a glove is light, easily broken in and built for small hands.
The two gloves I mentioned do that well, while still being decent leather/materials to last a few youth years of baseball.
So if A1000 is similar in characteristics, then it probably would work too.
With hand size being small at that age I’d stick with the broken in glove you have or an 11.5 Mizuno power close which is super easy to close.
My son didn’t get a”good” glove until he was in 12u. He used his power close for 4 years.
My boy is 8, he plays middle infield for a local travel team. He uses a Bradley 11.25" and loves it. It broke in like butter! This is the specific model he got. $175
**11.25" I-Web, T2 Next Play Series '23 (Blonde Lace, American Flag)**
If he’s anything like my son, he’s going to want a new glove every couple of years. I agree with the R9 suggestions you’ve gotten so far, but you should entertain getting him a Mizuno PowerClose. At his age, confidence is key. Dropping balls due to a stiff glove can kill a kid’s confidence. The Mizuno is loose from the get go. Get him a better mitt in a few years when he’s a bit older and can play catch at the level that is required to loosen up a good leather glove.
Just my $0.02
Just ordered the Rawlings breakout series 11.25 for my 7 year old . It’s exclusively sold by Rawlings on their website and it’s supposedly their highest level youth glove (youth taper with small finger stalls). It’s arriving on Thursday . I’ll let you know how it is .
Kids that young don’t need or want high quality leather. It is too tough to break in, and balls are not hit hard enough for it to matter. Highest exit velo MAY be 50 mph. A2000, HOH and Nokona are overkill imo. You want a soft glove that is easy to manipulate. R9s are perfect imo
I got an A950 for my 7yo and it's great for him. Nice quality but doesn't break the bank. Should last him until he's ready to take care of a nice glove.
I would buy a used but decent quality glove that could last him until he's 11/12 and then get him a good quality glove. At 11 (19 now) I got a Mizuno pro select which was $60-$70 at the time (but well over $200 now) and it's still in great condition, just needed to replace the pocket laces in the last year.
My dad helped but yeah, main thing is ensuring you do the right pattern. Basically as you pull the old/broken one out, you follow it with the new one so that it's linednup correct.
Got my son (9) an A1000 for his birthday this summer and he loves it. I got like 5 different gloves (including an used A2000) for him to pick from, and he liked the A1000 best.
Another vote for Bradley. I was very surprised by the quality. I guess I shouldn’t have been as youth is their bag but it’s an excellent glove. It’s definitely not a cheapo glove
Look in to Bradley gloves.
We just got a Bradley glove. Very happy with it. Designed for younger players.
My boys all played infield for travel ball and transitioned to R9 gloves around 9u/ Kid pitch. Highly recommend it, held up till around 12u when they graduated to full leather like A2000 or similar. Could get it at 8u to start breaking in at home, and be ready for 9u season. I'll add that the 11.75 inch modified trap was perfect for all around use at infield, pitcher and isn't too bad for outfield either if it's not primary position
Do you think an 8U player could use a A2000? I am interested for my son who is turning 8 but I want to invest in the right glove. Any specific a2000?
Personally I wouldn't use an A2000 at 8u as it's an adult fitting glove, not designed for small hands. It's also really hard to break in for an 8 year old, and the full leather is heavy for most players that age. I liked the R9 as a good quality youth glove to handle 8-11 years until ready for a full leather adult glove If you don't mind spending more, Nokona super soft youth gloves gloves are also great for 8-11 years. My boys used both Nokona youth super soft and Rawlings R9s, until they got to 12u, and then I got them a full size adult gloves (Wilson A2K and Nokona have been their favs so far for 12u through Highschool).
Thanks for the detailed response. Looking into the Nokona’s gloves now, they seem to have great reviews. Thanks for that recommendation!
What about an A1000?
I don't have any experience with that glove but have seen it referenced in this sub as a decent mid grade glove. For youth under 12 my preference in a glove is light, easily broken in and built for small hands. The two gloves I mentioned do that well, while still being decent leather/materials to last a few youth years of baseball. So if A1000 is similar in characteristics, then it probably would work too.
With hand size being small at that age I’d stick with the broken in glove you have or an 11.5 Mizuno power close which is super easy to close. My son didn’t get a”good” glove until he was in 12u. He used his power close for 4 years.
Bradley gloves hands down. They ate steep but a great glove
Another vote for Bradley.
And another
I just looked up Bradley gloves. Seems priced between r9/a1000 and a2000s
My boy is 8, he plays middle infield for a local travel team. He uses a Bradley 11.25" and loves it. It broke in like butter! This is the specific model he got. $175 **11.25" I-Web, T2 Next Play Series '23 (Blonde Lace, American Flag)**
My 9U travel kid has used a Bradley for a season now. Has held up well.
If he’s anything like my son, he’s going to want a new glove every couple of years. I agree with the R9 suggestions you’ve gotten so far, but you should entertain getting him a Mizuno PowerClose. At his age, confidence is key. Dropping balls due to a stiff glove can kill a kid’s confidence. The Mizuno is loose from the get go. Get him a better mitt in a few years when he’s a bit older and can play catch at the level that is required to loosen up a good leather glove. Just my $0.02
Just ordered the Rawlings breakout series 11.25 for my 7 year old . It’s exclusively sold by Rawlings on their website and it’s supposedly their highest level youth glove (youth taper with small finger stalls). It’s arriving on Thursday . I’ll let you know how it is .
Kids that young don’t need or want high quality leather. It is too tough to break in, and balls are not hit hard enough for it to matter. Highest exit velo MAY be 50 mph. A2000, HOH and Nokona are overkill imo. You want a soft glove that is easy to manipulate. R9s are perfect imo
Rawlings R9 all the way
I got an A950 for my 7yo and it's great for him. Nice quality but doesn't break the bank. Should last him until he's ready to take care of a nice glove.
R9 for sure. Travel ball is def silly at that age but if he’s having a good time who cares?
I would buy a used but decent quality glove that could last him until he's 11/12 and then get him a good quality glove. At 11 (19 now) I got a Mizuno pro select which was $60-$70 at the time (but well over $200 now) and it's still in great condition, just needed to replace the pocket laces in the last year.
Did you replace the laces yourself?
My dad helped but yeah, main thing is ensuring you do the right pattern. Basically as you pull the old/broken one out, you follow it with the new one so that it's linednup correct.
Mizuno Powerclose or Wilson A500-950. Soft and easy to close. As some have said, it is too young for a high end glove that is too stiff to manipulate.
Picked up a worn in A2000 for my boy at play it again sports…already nice and broken in.
Got my son (9) an A1000 for his birthday this summer and he loves it. I got like 5 different gloves (including an used A2000) for him to pick from, and he liked the A1000 best.
Another vote for Bradley. I was very surprised by the quality. I guess I shouldn’t have been as youth is their bag but it’s an excellent glove. It’s definitely not a cheapo glove