Little League is an exciting time in a young baseball player's life. One of the most important rituals of early baseball is choosing a glove or mitt. For many players it is their first. If you're a catcher, know how to make an informed decision about the type of catcher's mitt you choose.
Size
All catcher's mitts are measured by their circumference, around the outside edge of the mitt. Little League, or youth catcher's mitts, are usually 31 to 32 inches in circumference. In general, the size is related to the player's hand size. A larger glove will provide a larger target and help with framing pitches. However, a glove that is too big is prone to get pulled off a player's hand when receiving high-velocity balls. The most important consideration for size is fit. The glove that fits your hand better is the right size.
Material
Catcher's mitts are traditionally made from leather. As of 2011, leather is still considered the best quality catcher's mitt material. It is durable yet soft, breaks in easily and offers superior flexibility. Other materials include full synthetic and composite leather. Synthetic is not recommended for a catcher's mitt. Composite leather is an affordable alternative to real leather. For those who want real leather, the two most popular types are calfskin and pigskin. The difference between the various types of leather boil down to the quality of the individual mitt maker.
Features
The features of a Little League catcher's mitt will help decide which is the best catcher's mitt for you. Consider whether the mitt has additional padding in the palm area for softening the impact of pitches. Look at the wrist adjustment that helps tighten the mitt around the hand. Consider whether the adjustment is easy to use and whether it stays tight. While most catcher's mitts do not include traditionally include individual finger holes, some might have a slot for the index finger that can help increase mitt dexterity.
Considerations
Little League players are still growing very fast, which includes their hand size. A catcher's mitt that fits your hand one year might be too small the next year. Consider this growth spurt when choosing a new catcher's mitt, possibly choosing a mitt that is not as expensive in consideration of it's short use period. Make sure to try on several catcher's mitts to find the one that fits you best. If you typically wear a batting glove under your mitt, do so when trying mitts on.
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