How To Choose a Baseball Catchers Mitt

Step 1

If a beginner or younger youth league player, you do not need to invest in a glove that is several hundred dollars. You can usually find a quality mitt that would work well for handling speeds at 60-70mph for around $40-80. Especially if younger, choose a glove that is already easy to squeeze with your hand inside, and make sure it is made from real 100% full grain leather. Synthetic materials are usually cheaper and lightweight and very flexible, but most do not last very long and are not very protective. They should only be bought for the very young age groups that use a mitt in their first years of coach pitch. I recommend never using a cheap non-leather catchers mitt for safety and the feel.

Step 2

I also recommend using a fair priced glove up until high school if you continue to play. If you are a serious high school athlete, then getting a professional grade glove is worth spending the money and will last you a lifetime if you take good care of it. As long as a glove is real leather, it should hold up just fine, but the design and amount of leather used will add to the price and quality.

Step 3

To begin choosing a mitt, go to a local store and try a few on to get an idea of what brand you like and what style you prefer. Akadema, Rawlings, and Wilson make solid catcher's mitts. Do not turn away a glove because it is too stiff to squeeze right away. The best gloves take much use to "break-in" and use efficiently. The more ready your glove is at the beginning of purchase, the cheaper it is and less time it will probably last.

Step 4

A good catcher's mitt will allow for your full hand to sit well completely inside the glove and allow your thumb and fingers to securely clamp either side like a clam shell. Pay attention to feel and weight to ensure it is easily adjustable to your wrist and light enough to control with one hand. Although most glove companies know what their doing, make sure the stitching is in place and lacing is strong. Also make sure there is plenty of space and form to build and work a nice pocket into the glove for the ball.

Step 5

Once you have discovered your make and model, do some searching on the internet to find reviews as well. Maybe you like the glove, but people who have used it may have had issues with the lacing system or the padding gives away to easily etc... Also, the internet makes it easy to find deals and compare prices before just purchasing one in the store for their market value. I can usually always find something cheaper on the internet.

Step 6

Remember when buying a glove, ask yourself how long you think you will be playing, what is your budget, how do I want my glove to feel etc... A glove should be used for a long time and should be kept like any other quality leather piece of fashion. Gloves are not something you buy new every year unless your in the youth stage of play.