Best Youth Catcher’s Mitts
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When it comes to trust practices, being a catcher is one of the best roles that a young person can have in the baseball game, as they can build trust among their peers, especially with the pitcher staff they have on the team.
Having a healthy relationship with a pitcher is important for them, and once the pitcher is comfortable with throwing any kind of pitch they want at the catcher, it is important for the catcher to be equipped with the right kind of mitts.
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At a Glance: Best Youth Catcher’s Mitts to Buy
In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
| PICTURE | NAME | RATING | SHOPS |
|---|---|---|---|
 1 | Mizuno Prospect GXC105 Youth Catcher’s Mitt Show more | ||
 2 | Rawlings Player Preferred Series 32.5-inch Catcher’s Mitt (RCM325R) Show more | ||
 3 | All-Star Youth Catchers Baseball Glove Closed Tan/Black 31.5 Right Hand Show more | ||
 4 | Wilson A360 Youth Baseball Catcher’s Mitt Show more | ||
 5 | Akadema AGC98 Prodigy Series Glove Show more |
In order for one to be able to get the best catchers mitt for the needed protection they require in the field, the following things should first be discussed: what makes a good catcher’s mitt, the difference between a softball mitt and a baseball mitt, and how to break in the catcher’s mitt.
Best Rated Catchers Mitts Reviewed
In order for a catcher to be able to play in the field, they must be equipped with mitts. Most of the time, mitts are provided to catchers before playing. However, some of them may opt for using their own mitts. If you wish to have your own catcher’s mitt for such situations, here are some of the best catchers mitts that the market has to offer for reasonable prices.
- No more break in required
- Size and weight are perfect for 8-11 year olds
- Nice deep pocket
- Does not provide enough padding
- Laces have a tendency to break out
- No more break in required
- Size and weight are perfect for 8-11 year olds
- Nice deep pocket
- Does not provide enough padding
- Laces have a tendency to break out
This product is available in left-hand throw and right-hand throw. It features Power Close, in which it makes it easier for young players to catch the ball and let their hands close in the ball just like they would when they are catching a ball with their bare hands. Measuring around 32.5”, this standard-sized glove has Parashock palm pad that absorbs the shock of the ball that young catchers try to catch.
- Requires minimal break in
- Well made craftsmanship
- Has an adjustable Velcro band
- Lacks feel
- Pocket not as deep as other brands
- Requires minimal break in
- Well made craftsmanship
- Has an adjustable Velcro band
- Lacks feel
- Pocket not as deep as other brands
This catcher’s mitt is recommended for youth players as it measures only 32.5 inches. It has a retro leather shell material that is durable and has a full-grain leather lace that will not come off easily. It features the One Piece Closed Web, which will ensure that your mitt stays strong. This mitt also has a Flex Loop Conventional Back Design which will enable the user to close their mitts easier.
- Reasonable pricing
- Lightweight
- Easy to break in if used with oils
- Fits smaller youth hands
- Not enough padding
- Reasonable pricing
- Lightweight
- Easy to break in if used with oils
- Fits smaller youth hands
- Not enough padding
This product is designed for right-hand throw. It has an extra soft leather that is pre-oiled for extra strength and to give the maximum comfort possible for its user. Because its leather is soft, it is easy and fast to break in without sacrificing its durability. The wide heel channels help make the mitts close easily.
- Fits ages 9-10
- Has a deeper pocket than other brands
- Has a great feel when broken in
- Stiffer than other brands
- Needs a lot of breaking in
- Fits ages 9-10
- Has a deeper pocket than other brands
- Has a great feel when broken in
- Stiffer than other brands
- Needs a lot of breaking in
This product has a circumference of 31.5 inches that is designed for smaller hands. It is available in right-hand throw and left-hand throw. This mitt features an adjustable Velcro wrist closure and a ½ moon web which allows easy closing and security. Made of full pigskin palm and web, it is soft enough for players to break in and allows them to feel more secure when playing as this will not easily break during the game.
- Professional grade stitching
- User will not feel sting from catching the ball
- Good price for its value
- Requires breaking in using steam, hammers, and oils
- Leather and rawhide feels like plastic
- Not as game-ready as advertised
- Professional grade stitching
- User will not feel sting from catching the ball
- Good price for its value
- Requires breaking in using steam, hammers, and oils
- Leather and rawhide feels like plastic
- Not as game-ready as advertised
This mitt has a spiral lock web that ensures maximum stability and durability. Measuring around 32 inches, it has a deep pocket and an open back that will help the catcher attain maximum mobility when catching the ball. This mitt also features a “Stress Wedge” technology located between the index finger and thumb, and a Praying Mantis pattern that will absorb shock when the ball hits the mitt, preventing injuries when catching the ball.
What Makes a Good Catcher’s Mitt
A good catcher’s mitt does not depend solely on the brand or the price, as it also depends on the craftsmanship put into the product. There are several factors that you should look at whenever you buy a catcher’s mitt, and these factors are what will help you tell if they are a good catcher’s mitt or a subpar mitt. Some of them may not look important, but they are essential as they help in the feel and durability of the catcher’s mitt that your young catcher will use.
- Webbing – Depending on your hand size, a good catcher’s mitt typically should have a closed webbing to ensure that you are able to hide your pitch calls and catch the ball. If you are using a large mitt, it is ideal that you should have an open webbing in order for you to see the ball.
- Back – Before deciding to buy a mitt, one should note their playing style when it comes to catching balls. This is where the backside of the mitt comes in, and there are no rules of thumb to follow here, as it will solely rely on the player. If the catcher wants more protection for their hands while they play in the field, they should opt for “closed” back mitts. “Open” back mitts will allow them greater mobility.
- Padding – A good rule of thumb is going for an inch size up on the padding when trying to see if a mitt is good enough because too much padding may absorb the most shock, but will result to a mitt for being too shallow. This will cause problems in catching the ball and hiding the pitch calls when the game starts, as the enemy may see the pitch calls from the shallow pocket even if the catcher is careful enough for the pitch call not to be seen.
- Leather – It is ideal for younger catchers to have softer and less expensive types of leather used on their mitts such as pigskin or synthetic leather. The reasoning behind this is because they will eventually grow out of their mitts and move on to bigger sizes as they grow up. However, this does not mean that such kinds of leather are prone to breakage. Breaking in the leather properly will help it become more durable than other kinds of leather.
- Sizing – A mitt is good for a kid if it has a circumference of 32 inches or less if the kid who is playing is under the ages of 12 and below. Players who are 13 or older should go for 32.5 inches or wider in circumference.
The Difference Between a Softball Mitt and a Baseball Mitt
Generally, softball and baseball play by similar rules even if they are played on the same fields. As such, they require different kinds of mitts when it comes to their catchers in the field. Here are some distinct differences which will help you select the best catcher’s mitt.
Baseball mitts have a circumference of 32 to 34.5 inches. Due to the higher kinds of velocities, they require a smaller amount of surface area. This is to distribute the air around the ball.
Another thing to note is that baseballs are smaller than softballs. This means that they are ideal for fast and hard pitches. Therefore, baseball catcher’s mitts require more padding to absorb the shock. As opposed to baseball mitts, softball catcher’s mitts run around 33 to 35 inches. The size of the softball requires a deeper pocket to properly catch the ball. For that reason, a softball mitt will have a deeper pocket.
The larger a softball mitt is, the deeper the pocket it will have for softball mitts. The deep pocket will ensure that the softball will not pop out, whereas shallower pockets will allow having faster transfers.
How to Break in the Catcher’s Mitt
New catcher’s mitts are hard and stiff upon purchase, which may possibly impede in the catcher’s performance. Not only will the catcher decrease in performance when it comes to catching the ball, they could also possibly injure themselves. Here are some tips on how to break in the catcher’s mitt safely.
- Round the pocket shape of the mitt – The mitt should be rolled over until the pocket of the mitt reaches a rounded shape. Applying force to the middle of the pocket will result in a badly broken in catcher’s mitt. Use a ball and put it in the pocket of the mitt underneath the webbing so that the mitt will conform to the ball’s shape.
- Stretch the leather of the mitt – Roll the mitt over itself and proceed to pound the outside corners of the mitt where the leather is so that it will stretch properly. If you are not using the mitt, you may use a ball and put it in the pocket of the mitt. Then, tie the mitt up. Use the top of a bat and hammer the mitt until the mitt softens a bit.
- Use hot (150ºF) water – Before playing catch, use a cup of hot water on the outside of the mitt. This will help soften and stretch the mitt. After using hot water, proceed to pound the mitt with the top of a bat until it softens.
- Moisturize your mitt and apply glove wrap – Using glove conditioner or lanolin-based oil will help soften your mitt. The best way to do this is to apply the conditioner or oil in the pocket of your mitt and gently blend it out with the fingers. When not in use, apply glove wrap and put a ball in the pocket so that the mitt will take shape as you wait for the glove to conform to the ball.
- Wear and play catch with the mitt – The best way for you to be able to break in your mitt is to play with the mitt before the game. This is because the warmth and form of your hand will stretch the leather and conform to your hand. Just like a shoe, this may probably take a while. However, there will be no better feeling to the mitt like something that is broken in.
Final Thoughts
In summary, catcher’s mitts are products that require breaking in. Also, it depends on the user if the glove is a proper fit. If the mitt is a good fit from the beginning, breaking in the mitt would further enhance its strength and performance. Not only this, it will help the user become comfortable. Furthermore, softball catcher’s mitts and baseball catcher’s mitts have a significant difference, so be sure it is the right one that you’re going to buy. Also, keep in mind the factors that you should look as we mentioned above.
