United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My daughter will have her first softball practice tonight. She is so excited to be playing a sport. I am going after work to get her a glove. I am not for sure which one to get left or right. She has a right obpi. So therefore she has problems with rom on the right arm and wrist. The problem is she throws and catches with the left hand. If I get a left handed glove how is she going to catch and then throw the ball? Any suggestions as to which glove to get?

Just some inspiration with a story about Stephanie Zweig:

http://www.ncaasports.com/softball/womens/story/9430166


She is the one who has come to camp twice to show the kids. SHe has been elected to the NCAA all stars, and has been named pitche rof the year in 2006. It's amazing to see her show the kids.

-rich

My daughter has the same situation. She's ROBPI and has more control over her throw with her left hand (she also shoots basketball left handed). She played one year with a glove on her right hand and switched the next year. It is all about what your daughter feels more comfortable with. It could also depend on what position she plays. Kind of like weighing which is more important to her position, catching or throwing. My daughter plays first base and isn't going to have to throw that ball from the outfield all the way in.

No matter what, I hope she really enjoys herself!! My daughter loves sports and has never let her injury stop her from doing anything. She scares her gym teacher to death!!

Warmest wishes for a fun season!
Keri

Is Stephanie Z able to come to Camp 2007??
I suuuurrrrre hope so! She's such a teacher of softball AND an INSPIRATION to me in particular, but I bet to everyone! )'s
HUGS,
Carolyn J
LOBPI/68

Thank you so much for your replys. It really helped. We loved the article. Thanks again.

just wanted to chime in here...

your daughter might be most comfortable catching and throwing with the same hand, I know I am! My dad wanted me to have his glove when I first started playing softball when I was in third grade and it was a glove for the right hand. Trouble is I am ROBPI and had no control of his glove. So I took my sisters for a game and it was awesome! I catch and throw with my left hand! At first I would catch the ball then throw the glove off to the ground and pick up the ball and throw the ball. That took way too much time! So I revised my actions. It takes a while to find the style that works best for each person but for me, I am now able to cradle my glove in my right elbow and grab the ball and throw. I have gotten so fast at this most people hardly notice what I am doing. Example, last summer I played slow pitch and wanted to play catcher so my coach let me be catcher most of the season. We usually had the same ump and he didnt notice I was catching and throwing with the same hand until near the end of summer. lol I had to laugh when he offered me his glove for the right hand.

She will learn her own way and specialize it, make it her own and will get great at it!

Hope she has as much fun as I have over the years!
Hugs,
Amy 20 years old ROBPI from MN

Hi Sierra's Mom:

Sorry that we did not respond to these messages earlier. All of the comments are correct in that your daughter should do what she feels comfortable doing. Stephanie throws and catches with her left arm. She uses a glove with holes in the pocket so she can slip her right hand fingers into the glove an hold the ball with her right hand while inside the pocket of the glove. She then switches back and forth with the ball and glove. She needs to do this very quickly because she pitches. She must be able to put her glove on if the ball is hit back to her. Please let me know if your daughter would like to speak with Stephanie and we can arrange a call.

Thanks,

Andy Zweig

Here is a link to some pictures at a past softball clinic at: http://ubpn.org/camp2005/2005campphotospage21.html

Sports Clinic with Stephanie Zweig

I don't have any advice to add - but just wanted to say I hope Sierra has a wonderful time playing softball this season!!! Our kids are so resilient and tough! I'll bet she figures out the way that works best for her, then has a fantastic time playing!!!