Gifts · Gift guide
Best softball gifts for girls who actually play
The problem with buying softball gear for someone else's daughter is that almost everything good is sized, and the two things that are not sized are the two things she already owns. So this list is sorted by how much you need to know before you can buy: nothing, one question, or a real conversation with her parents.
By Mike M.Updated Researched · every figure sourced
#adReader-supported: we may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never decides a pick. How we pick · Disclosure
Quick picks
The rankings at a glance
| # | Product | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Rawlings Sure Catch Softball 12.5 in A 12.5 in all-leather fastpitch glove with a pocket built for the 12 in ball, rated 10 on Rawlings' break-in scale so she can use it the day she opens it. Ask one thing: which hand does she throw with? | The best softball gift overall (ages 9-12)Ages 9–12, 12.5 in | 9.2 /10 | $49.99Amazon |
| 2 |  Rawlings Clout Batting Gloves (Youth & T-Ball) Batting gloves are the accessory every player wants and most parents put off. Rawlings sells T-Ball, youth and adult sizes; ask for a size or buy youth medium for a 9- to 11-year-old. | One question: the gift she will ask forT-Ball, youth and adult sizes (maker) | 8.9 /10 | $24.40Amazon |
| 3 |  Easton Alpha Fastpitch (with softball mask) A fastpitch helmet with the softball mask included, in three size bands from T-Ball/S up. Ask for a head circumference in inches and buy the band it lands in. | One measurement: her own helmet with a maskT-Ball/S 6 1/4 in - 6 7/8 in; M/L 6 5/8 in - 7 1/4 in; L/XL 7 1/8 in - 7 3/4 in | 9.5 /10 | $39.19Amazon |
| 4 |  Rawlings Sure Catch Softball 11 in The same Sure Catch build in 11 in, with a Velcro back a small hand can work alone. Rawlings lists it for 10U, 8U and 6U. | The glove for a 6- to 9-year-oldAges 6–9 (10U, 8U, 6U per maker), 11 in | 9.4 /10 | $49.99Amazon |
| 5 |  Rawlings Youth Players Backpack A youth bat-pack. Almost every kid is carrying her gear in a school backpack until somebody buys her this. | No sizing at all: the bagAges 8–12 | 9.1 /10 | $25.30Amazon |
| 6 |  Easton Ghost Flex Youth Fastpitch 11 in Soft pigskin, a narrow fit and a Lock Down strap, listed by Easton for 10U and 12U. The pick if her hands are small for her age. | For a small hand10U–12U (maker), 11 in | 8.8 /10 | $49.99Amazon |
| 7 |  Rawlings Coolflo Highlighter (face guard included) One size fits most, 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 in, with the guard included. The gift for a girl whose helmet is the team's shared one. | The cheap helmet that still has the face guardOne size fits most, 6 1/2 in - 7 1/2 in | 7.7 /10 | $37.37Amazon |
| 8 |  Easton Topaz (-10, 2025) A -10 alloy fastpitch bat for 10U or 12U. Never gift a bat without checking her division's certification and her length first; see the size chart linked below. | A real conversation: the bat10U–12U (-10) | 8.0 /10 | $69.99Amazon |
| 9 |  Rawlings Glove Break-In Kit Conditioner, shaping and instructions in one box. The best small gift on this page if somebody else bought the glove. | No sizing: for a girl who just got a stiff gloveAny leather glove | 8.5 /10 | $11.99Amazon |
| 10 |  Rawlings Glovolium Glove Oil Glove oil. The cheapest thing here and the one that gets used most. | No sizing: the stocking fillerAny leather glove | 8.9 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
#ad · Prices come live from Amazon, last checked November 3, 2026. Scores are ours, built from the governing bodies' certification rules, the makers' sizing charts and published specs. Photos are illustrative stock. Tap a row for the full write-up.
How this list is sorted
Not by price, and not by how much she will like it. By how much you have to know about her before you can buy it, because that is the actual obstacle for an aunt, a grandparent or a family friend. A fastpitch glove is a wonderful gift and a useless one if you buy it for the wrong hand.
Needs nothing: buy it today
Two picks here need no information at all. Glovolium glove oil is the cheapest thing on this page and the one most likely to be used, because every leather glove in the country needs conditioning twice a season and almost nobody buys it for themselves. The Rawlings break-in kit is the same idea with more in the box, and it is the right gift for a girl who was given a stiff glove by somebody else.
The youth bat-pack is the third unsized gift and the most visible one. A bat bag is not glamorous until you watch a 10-year-old try to carry a bat, a glove, a helmet and a water bottle in a school rucksack.
Needs one question
A glove needs the throwing hand, and then the size follows from her age. Fastpitch glove sizes run larger than baseball ones because the ball is larger: an 11 in glove for a 6- to 9-year-old, a 12 to 12.5 in glove from about 9, which is why both Sure Catch sizes are on this list rather than one. The full table is on the youth softball glove size chart.
A helmet needs a head measurement: a tape measure around the forehead, just above the ears. The Easton Alpha Fastpitch comes in three bands and includes the softball mask; the Rawlings Coolflo Highlighter is one-size-fits-most from 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 in with the guard included. Both are her own helmet rather than the dugout's shared one, which is the real gift.
Batting gloves need a hand size, and youth medium covers most 9- to 11-year-olds. Of everything on this page, this is the pick a kid actually asks for.
Needs a real conversation
A bat is the one gift you should not buy on a hunch. Fastpitch bats are certified, and a bat with the wrong stamp gets pulled at the plate; the drop and the length have to match her size. If you want to gift a bat, ask the parent two things: what certification her league requires, and what length and drop she swings now. Then read the fastpitch bat size chart before you order.
Catcher's gear is the same but worse, because it is sized by chest-protector length and is expensive enough that you need to know nobody else is buying it. If she catches and you want to do something big, coordinate with her parents and start from best youth softball catcher's gear.
What not to gift
- Cleats. Shoe sizing for a growing foot is a fitting, not a gift. Youth cleat sizes also run differently between brands.
- A bat you picked because it looked good. See above. Certification first, always.
- A glove for the wrong hand. It is the single most returned item in youth sports.
- Anything with a team logo. She may change teams in the spring.
- A pink version of something she did not ask for. Buy the gear she needs in whatever colour she likes; plenty of fastpitch players want the same bat the boys swing.
A note on prices
No prices are printed on this page. Softball gear moves a lot between the autumn and the spring season, and a figure typed into a page in October is wrong by February. Each card carries an Amazon button that shows what the item costs right now, which is the only price worth acting on. If you are working to a fixed budget, the equivalent baseball list sorted into tiers is baseball gifts under $50.
In detail
The picks, in full
Rank 1
The best softball gift overall (ages 9-12)
Rawlings Sure Catch Softball 12.5 in
A 12.5 in all-leather fastpitch glove with a pocket built for the 12 in ball, rated 10 on Rawlings' break-in scale so she can use it the day she opens it. Ask one thing: which hand does she throw with?
Spec sheetEvery figure sourced and linked
| Category | Softball glove |
|---|---|
| Fits | Ages 9–12, 12.5 in |
| Material | Soft leather shell; cushioned fingerback lining |
| Sizes | 12.5 in |
| Web / pattern | Basket web, Youth Pro Taper; Sure Catch heel cutout |
| Closure | Neo-Flex back with Velcro strap |
| Maker's age guidance | Age group: 10U, 8U, 6U, T-Ball |
How the 9.2 score breaks down
- Size fit for the age (30%)
- 10
- Ease of close for small hands (25%)
- 9
- Leather and build quality (15%)
- 7
- Break-in effort (15%)
- 10
- Value (15%)
- 9
What the spec sheet supports
- Big pocket, small hand opening
- Easy close
Where it falls short
- 12.5 in is a lot of glove for a 7-year-old infielder
- Basket web only
Skip this if…
…your daughter plays infield at 8U; the 11 in closes quicker.
#ad · Price as of November 3, 2026 · Disclosure for the link to Rawlings Sure Catch Softball 12.5 in
Rank 2
One question: the gift she will ask for
Rawlings Clout Batting Gloves (Youth & T-Ball)
Batting gloves are the accessory every player wants and most parents put off. Rawlings sells T-Ball, youth and adult sizes; ask for a size or buy youth medium for a 9- to 11-year-old.
Spec sheetEvery figure sourced and linked
| Category | Batting gloves |
|---|---|
| Fits | T-Ball, youth and adult sizes (maker) |
| Material | Adult/Youth: leather (goatskin) palm; T-Ball: synthetic palm; Lycra back (maker) |
| Closure | Velcro wrist strap; one-piece neoprene cuff and thumb (maker) |
How the 8.9 score breaks down
- Setup time (20%)
- 10
- Stability (25%)
- 8
- Portability (15%)
- 10
- Durability (20%)
- 7
- Value (20%)
- 10
What the spec sheet supports
- Actual T-Ball sizes
- Low price
Where it falls short
- Synthetic T-Ball palm wears faster
- Single-layer palm on the youth version
Skip this if…
…the kid takes 200 cuts a week; the Workhorse's double palm lasts.
#ad · Price as of November 3, 2026 · Disclosure for the link to Rawlings Clout Batting Gloves (Youth & T-Ball)
Rank 3
One measurement: her own helmet with a mask
Easton Alpha Fastpitch (with softball mask)
A fastpitch helmet with the softball mask included, in three size bands from T-Ball/S up. Ask for a head circumference in inches and buy the band it lands in.
Spec sheetEvery figure sourced and linked
| Category | Batting helmet |
|---|---|
| Fits | T-Ball/S 6 1/4 in - 6 7/8 in; M/L 6 5/8 in - 7 1/4 in; L/XL 7 1/8 in - 7 3/4 in |
| Certification (quoted) | NOCSAE ND022 helmet and ND072 face protector |
| Certification | NOCSAE ND022 (newly manufactured batter's helmet) and NOCSAE ND072 (helmet-mounted face protector) (maker) |
| Material | ABS thermoplastic shell, dual-density foam liner, BioDri moisture-wicking fabric liner (maker) |
| Sizes | T-Ball/Small 6 1/4 in - 6 7/8 in; Medium/Large 6 5/8 in - 7 1/4 in; Large/XL 7 1/8 in - 7 3/4 in (maker) |
| Included | Preconfigured baseball/softball mask, stated to protect against balls 11 in and larger (maker) |
| Warranty | Certified life is five years from the date of manufacture under normal play (maker) |
How the 9.5 score breaks down
- Certification (NOCSAE / SEI) (35%)
- 10
- Fit range for the age (25%)
- 10
- Ventilation and comfort (15%)
- 7
- Face-guard compatibility (10%)
- 9
- Value (15%)
- 10
What the spec sheet supports
- Both NOCSAE numbers published on the maker's own page, helmet and face protector separately
- The only pick here with a genuine T-Ball/Small size
- Three size bands, so it follows a player from 6U to high school
Where it falls short
- Narrower sightline than the Mach Hi-Viz
- ABS shell, not the thicker build of the premium helmets
- Basic venting compared with the Rawlings 360 system
Skip this if…
…she already says she cannot see the ball through a standard cage; pay up for the Mach Hi-Viz window.
#ad · Price as of November 3, 2026 · Disclosure for the link to Easton Alpha Fastpitch (with softball mask)
Rank 4
The glove for a 6- to 9-year-old
Rawlings Sure Catch Softball 11 in
The same Sure Catch build in 11 in, with a Velcro back a small hand can work alone. Rawlings lists it for 10U, 8U and 6U.
Spec sheetEvery figure sourced and linked
| Category | Softball glove |
|---|---|
| Fits | Ages 6–9 (10U, 8U, 6U per maker), 11 in |
| Construction | Player Break-In 10 (maker's scale) |
| Material | Soft, all-leather shell; cushioned finger linings |
| Sizes | 11 in |
| Fits (maker) | Rawlings softball table: youth fastpitch infield 10.5–11 in, outfield 11–11.5 in |
| Web / pattern | Basket web, Youth Pro Taper; Sure Catch heel cutout |
| Closure | Neo-Flex back with Velcro strap; adjustable wrist |
| Maker's age guidance | Age group: 10U, 8U, 6U, T-Ball |
How the 9.4 score breaks down
- Size fit for the age (30%)
- 10
- Ease of close for small hands (25%)
- 10
- Leather and build quality (15%)
- 7
- Break-in effort (15%)
- 10
- Value (15%)
- 9
What the spec sheet supports
- Heel cutout helps a small hand close on the bigger ball
- Velcro strap, real leather, low break-in
Where it falls short
- 11 in is small for a 10-year-old outfielder
- Soft shell wears
Skip this if…
…your daughter is 10 or older; the 12.5 in Sure Catch or a 12 in A500 Siren fits the 12 in ball better.
#ad · Price as of November 3, 2026 · Disclosure for the link to Rawlings Sure Catch Softball 11 in
Rank 5
No sizing at all: the bag
Rawlings Youth Players Backpack
A youth bat-pack. Almost every kid is carrying her gear in a school backpack until somebody buys her this.
Spec sheetEvery figure sourced and linked
| Category | Bag |
|---|---|
| Fits | Ages 8–12 |
| Sizes | 18.5 in H × 13 in L × 6.5 in D (maker) |
| Included | Capacity 2 bats; large main compartment; internal top pocket; external mesh pocket; fence hook; tarpaulin bottom (maker) |
How the 9.1 score breaks down
- Setup time (20%)
- 10
- Stability (25%)
- 8
- Portability (15%)
- 10
- Durability (20%)
- 8
- Value (20%)
- 10
What the spec sheet supports
- Fence hook keeps it off the dugout floor
- Two bats, a glove, a helmet and cleats in a bag a 9-year-old can carry
- Low price
Where it falls short
- 6.5 in depth is tight with catcher's gear
- No shoe compartment
Skip this if…
…the kid catches; a catcher's bag or the Legion 2 carries the set.
#ad · Price as of November 3, 2026 · Disclosure for the link to Rawlings Youth Players Backpack
Rank 6
For a small hand
Easton Ghost Flex Youth Fastpitch 11 in
Soft pigskin, a narrow fit and a Lock Down strap, listed by Easton for 10U and 12U. The pick if her hands are small for her age.
Spec sheetEvery figure sourced and linked
| Category | Softball glove |
|---|---|
| Fits | 10U–12U (maker), 11 in |
| Construction | Player Break-In 10 (maker's scale) |
| Material | Soft genuine pigskin leather shell; super soft lining |
| Sizes | 11 in |
| Web / pattern | Arched H-web; narrow fit; open back with Lock Down strap |
| Maker's age guidance | Age group: 12U, 10U |
How the 8.8 score breaks down
- Size fit for the age (30%)
- 9
- Ease of close for small hands (25%)
- 10
- Leather and build quality (15%)
- 6
- Break-in effort (15%)
- 10
- Value (15%)
- 8
What the spec sheet supports
- Narrow fit for a slim hand
- Strap closure, soft leather
Where it falls short
- Pigskin durability
- 2021 model year; stock varies
Skip this if…
…your daughter is 11 with a normal-size hand; the A500 Siren 12 in is the better long-term glove.
#ad · Price as of November 3, 2026 · Disclosure for the link to Easton Ghost Flex Youth Fastpitch 11 in
Rank 7
The cheap helmet that still has the face guard
Rawlings Coolflo Highlighter (face guard included)
One size fits most, 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 in, with the guard included. The gift for a girl whose helmet is the team's shared one.
Spec sheetEvery figure sourced and linked
| Category | Batting helmet |
|---|---|
| Fits | One size fits most, 6 1/2 in - 7 1/2 in |
| Material | Coolflo shell with the vented Coolflo design, as published across the Rawlings Coolflo line |
| Sizes | One size fits most, 6 1/2 in - 7 1/2 in (listing) |
| Included | Face guard included in the box (listing) |
How the 7.7 score breaks down
- Certification (NOCSAE / SEI) (35%)
- 8
- Fit range for the age (25%)
- 5
- Ventilation and comfort (15%)
- 9
- Face-guard compatibility (10%)
- 8
- Value (15%)
- 10
What the spec sheet supports
- By far the lowest price for a helmet plus guard together
- Coolflo venting is genuinely good for the money
- Cheap enough to keep a spare in the bag
Where it falls short
- One size fits most starts at 6 1/2 in, so it will not fit a small 6- or 7-year-old
- Guard is a bolted-on wire, with the narrow sightline that implies
- Highlighter colorways fade faster than matte finishes
Skip this if…
…your daughter's hat size is under 6 1/2 in; the Easton Alpha T-Ball/Small is the one that fits.
#ad · Price as of November 3, 2026 · Disclosure for the link to Rawlings Coolflo Highlighter (face guard included)
Rank 8
A real conversation: the bat
Easton Topaz (-10, 2025)
A -10 alloy fastpitch bat for 10U or 12U. Never gift a bat without checking her division's certification and her length first; see the size chart linked below.
Spec sheetEvery figure sourced and linked
| Category | Fastpitch bat |
|---|---|
| Fits | 10U–12U (-10) |
| Certification (quoted) | 'All Association' fastpitch certification (Easton's term) |
| Certification | All Association (maker spec) |
| Drop / lengths | -10 |
| Barrel | 2 1/4 in |
| Construction | 1-piece aluminum; ultra-thin 29/32 in handle |
| Warranty | 1 year (maker) |
How the 8.0 score breaks down
- Certification fit for the league (30%)
- 9
- Swing weight for the age (25%)
- 8
- Sting and forgiveness (as described by the maker) (15%)
- 4
- Durability reputation (cited reports) (15%)
- 8
- Value (15%)
- 10
What the spec sheet supports
- -10 for a stronger 10U/12U hitter at a beginner price
- Alloy
Where it falls short
- Sting
- Beginner build
Skip this if…
…the player is competitive at 12U; the Ghost Advanced -10 is the real step.
#ad · Price as of November 3, 2026 · Disclosure for the link to Easton Topaz (-10, 2025)
Rank 9
No sizing: for a girl who just got a stiff glove
Rawlings Glove Break-In Kit
Conditioner, shaping and instructions in one box. The best small gift on this page if somebody else bought the glove.
Spec sheetEvery figure sourced and linked
| Category | Glove care |
|---|---|
| Fits | Any leather glove |
| Included | Glove break-in kit (maker listing) |
How the 8.5 score breaks down
- Setup time (20%)
- 9
- Stability (25%)
- 8
- Portability (15%)
- 10
- Durability (20%)
- 8
- Value (20%)
- 8
What the spec sheet supports
- Purpose-made for leather gloves
- Pairs with the glove wrap
Where it falls short
- Messy if applied heavily
Skip this if…
…the glove is synthetic.
#ad · Price as of November 3, 2026 · Disclosure for the link to Rawlings Glove Break-In Kit
Rank 10
No sizing: the stocking filler
Rawlings Glovolium Glove Oil
Glove oil. The cheapest thing here and the one that gets used most.
Spec sheetEvery figure sourced and linked
| Category | Glove care |
|---|---|
| Fits | Any leather glove |
| Included | Glove oil, advanced formula (maker listing) |
How the 8.9 score breaks down
- Setup time (20%)
- 10
- Stability (25%)
- 8
- Portability (15%)
- 10
- Durability (20%)
- 8
- Value (20%)
- 9
What the spec sheet supports
- Made by the glove maker
- A bottle lasts several gloves
Where it falls short
- Easy to over-apply; too much oil makes a glove heavy and floppy
Skip this if…
…the glove is synthetic; conditioner does nothing for a PVC shell.
#ad · Price as of November 3, 2026 · Disclosure for the link to Rawlings Glovolium Glove Oil
Before you wrap it
- Confirm the throwing hand before you order a glove. Right hand throw means the glove goes on the left hand.
- Measure her head for a helmet. Around the forehead just above the ears, in inches, then match the band.
- Check the certification before you buy a bat. Her league's rulebook decides this, not the listing.
- Buy the conditioner with the glove. A new leather glove needs working and the kit makes that the fun part.
- Keep the receipt and the box. Youth gear is outgrown, not worn out, and most of it is exchangeable.
How we picked these
Researched, certification-checked and sized for the age
Every pick on this page earns its place the same way: the certification is checked against the governing bodies' rules and the maker's stated stamp, so the gear is legal for the division it is bought for; sizing comes from the makers' own age, height and hand charts; the published specs (drop, barrel, construction, closure, cleat type) are read from the maker's page; and the patterns in verified buyer reviews sharpen the “best for” line on each card. Every figure links to where it came from, with the date.
Scores are editorial judgments built from that documented research, applied with the same weights to every product in a category, so the ranking is comparable top to bottom. Commissions never set a score or decide a pick. The rubric and its weights are published.
Corrections & updates
- Page published. Sizes, age bands and contents read from the makers' own pages and the cited listings on this date.
Questions parents ask
Frequently asked
What is the best softball gift for a girl?
What softball gift can I buy without knowing her size?
Can I buy a softball bat as a gift?
What size softball glove should I buy for a 10-year-old girl?
Is a softball helmet a good gift?
Keep reading
Related on Bat & Bucket
- Youth softball glove size chartThe size that matches her age and the ball.
- What does my daughter need for softball?The whole first-season list, in order.
- Best gifts for kids who love baseballThe baseball-side list.
- Baseball gifts under $50If you are working to a budget.
- Fastpitch bat size chartRead this before gifting a bat.
Receipts
Sources
- Rawlings: Sure Catch Softball 12.5-inch youth glove
- Rawlings: Sure Catch Softball 11-inch youth glove
- Easton: Ghost Flex Youth 11-inch fastpitch glove
- Easton: 2025 Topaz -10 fastpitch bat
- Amazon listing: Easton Alpha fastpitch softball batting helmet with facemask, Medium/Large, White (read 2026-10-07)
- Amazon listing: Rawlings Coolflo Highlighter batting helmet, face guard included, one size fits most 6 1/2-7 1/2, Matte White (read 2026-10-07)
- Rawlings: Clout batting gloves (adult, youth, tee ball)
- Rawlings: Youth Players backpack
- Rawlings: glove break-in kit
- Rawlings: Glovolium glove oil
- BaseballMonkey: Fastpitch softball glove guide (size by age and position; deeper, shorter pocket)
Certification rules come from the governing bodies' own pages (Little League, USA Baseball, USSSA, NOCSAE), sizes from the makers' published sizing charts, and specs from the maker's product page or the retailer listing named on each product. Every figure above links to the page it was read from, with the date. Amazon prices move often, so each buy button takes you to the current price. Read the full method.