A catcher's glove, actually a mitt because of the lack of individual finger slots, is one of the most abused pieces of equipment in the game of baseball. Every inning, dozens of high speed pitches are whipped into the pocket of a catcher's glove. To prevent sore hands and dropped balls, choose the best catcher's mitt available.
Fit
Because a catcher's mitt must withstand high velocity pitches, fit is very important. A loose mitt will constantly be pulled from a catcher's hand. A mitt that is too small sacrifices your comfort. Try on several mitt sizes to see which one fits your hand. Most catchers wear a batting glove on their hand under the mitt. If you do, make sure to wear the glove when you are trying on catcher's mitts.
Material
A good catcher's mitt can last years and years if it is made of good-quality material and is well maintained. Most catcher's mitts perform better with age, as they are more broken in. A good quality leather is the best material for a catcher's mitt. It provides excellent flexibility, durability and comfort. Composite leather and synthetic mitt's are less desirable. If you have a limited budget, go for a good quality composite leather.
Size
Mitt sizes are measured by circumference in inches from around 31 to 34 inches. The best catcher's mitts for youth players are generally from 31 to 32 inches. For older catchers and softball players, look for a mitt between 33 and 34 inches. Bigger mitts provide a larger target the pitcher and a larger pocket for you to catch with. However, the biggest isn't always the best. A catcher's mitt that is too big may prove difficult to control. The best catcher's mitt is the biggest one that fits your hand, is easy to flex and control.
Considerations
The best catcher's mitt in the world won't perform well unless it is properly broken in. Invest in bottle of high-quality leather conditioner when you buy your catcher's mitt. Apply a liberal amount of the conditioner to the mitt, working it in with a clean rag. Place a baseball or softball in the mitt and wrap a rubber band around it when not in use. Continue to apply leather conditioner to your glove after every season and always store in a cool, dry place.
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