Being a catcher is one of the most demanding positions on a baseball team. This is a position that requires squatting for long periods of time and being able to react fast to the pitch.
A catcher's mitt will improve your ability to play this role. Due to their differences from gloves, mitts are better suited for the tasks of a catcher.
Finding the right catcher's mitts can be difficult. There are considerations that need to be taken into account. Youth catcher's mitts in particular come with unique challenges in sizing and comfort.
This guide will help you know what to look for in a catcher's mitt. Once you know what to look for, your perfect mitt is a click away.
Why are Catcher's Mitts Necessary?
While your typical glove is useful for most positions, a catcher's mitt helps a lot. Catcher's mitts differ from the regular baseball glove in many ways.
The most notable difference is the extra padding provided in the mitt. This helps to reduce the impact of the ball when you catch it.
These mitts will lack the flexible weaving of gloves. This makes the mitt more sturdy and durable.
The greater dimensions are better for grabbing ground balls and pop-up fouls. These are great baseball tools to improve your game and help your team.
Considerations
There are plenty of qualities to think about when getting a catcher's mitt. These are especially important with youth catcher's mitts.
A primary factor to think about when getting any sort of baseball gear is sizing. It cannot be too big or else it becomes impractical but if it is too small, it will be outgrown too soon. Luckily there are plenty of sizing charts online to help you find the right size.
Material is another factor in choosing your mitt. Various kinds of leathers have different lifespans. These materials will affect the time needed to break it in.
The final consideration is comfort. This is determined by how the mitt is broken in and the design. There are many types of catcher's mitts, so finding a mitt that is comfortable should not be an issue.
Recommendations
When you go to buy a catcher's mitt, look for two brands: Rawlings and Wilson. These brands have a history of being quality mitts for a reasonable price.
Rawlings has different lines of catcher's mitts to select from. A mitt from the Liberty or Encore series is a great option for a youth catcher's mitt.
Wilson has a fantastic mitt in the A1000 that is comfortable and easy to break in. The A700 is another good option if the A1000 is not a good fit for you at this time.
These brands make quality catcher's mitts that will last for a long time.
Find Your Mitt
Catcher's mitts are one of the best ways to improve your catching ability. From materials to design, there are many mitts for you to choose from.
Now that you know what to keep in mind, you're ready to begin looking for your mitt.
