The job of a catcher resembles a running back or linebacker more so than that of a baseball player. A foul tip always seems to find an opening in your gear at least twice per game, and usually it's the same spot both times. Baserunners slam into you at the plate, pitchers pound your hand with fastballs and base stealers are constantly testing your shoulder fortitude. Your only protection is a thin layer of padding and a "full sized" catcher's mitt.
History
The first catcher's mitt was patented in 1890 by ex-catcher Harry Decker. It hardly resembled what we know as a mitt today, rather it was a small thin glove with a pillow sized pad stitched to the front of it. It wasn't for another 10 to 15 years that a modern style mitt began being used. Over the years the mitt slowly evolved into the "padded frying pan" options that are used in leagues around the world.
Size
A fielder's glove is measured in a straight line length-wise from heel to tip, typically ranging from nine to 12.75 inches. A full size catcher's mitt is measured by its circumference, not its length, and ranges from 31 to 34 inches around. Youth gloves are usually 31 to 32 inches in length, allowing for players with smaller hands to wear them comfortably without the danger of the glove falling off.
Features
Catcher's mitts come with a heavy-duty padding along the outer rim of the mitt. High-end mitts are made from full-grain leather and are designed to absorb shock in a deep middle pocket. Something that differentiates a catcher's mitt from a fielder's glove is the lack of fingers inside. A standard glove traditionally has channels for each individual finger to allow for maximum glove control. A catcher's mitt simply has an opening for the hand and nothing else, hence the name "mitt" which derives from the word "mitten."
Considerations
As with all other fielder's gloves, catcher's mitts usually require some sort of break-in to help with flexibility. New gloves are often stiff and unless you use some special treatment can take weeks or months to fully break-in. To help expedite the process, pick up some cheap shaving cream in a can. Dispense a thin layer of shaving cream all over the glove, using a bit more inside creases to help with flexibility. Rub the cream into the glove and rinse it off with a small amount of water. Do this every two to three days for the first two weeks.
Warning
Make sure the mitt fits. Despite all of the padding that you wear behind the plate, if the mitt is too loose you open the door to some nasty hand injuries. An interior that doesn't hug your hand at all times can cause impact injuries to happen every time you catch the ball. A loose mitt can fall off pre-pitch if you happen to "pound the dirt," leaving you defenseless to the oncoming fastball. Also make sure there are no loose stitches on the mitt. If the mitt breaks in the middle of a game and there are no backups, you'll be forced to use a fielder's glove instead.
Member Comments