A catcher's mitt has a distinctive design that differs from the traditional baseball glove. Pro catcher Steven Ellis says the most crucial thing about the mitt is how it fits your hand. The first step to getting that perfect mitt is sizing. Baseball glove sizes are set by player age. Catcher's mitts come in youth or adult sizes, and the range is by glove circumference.
Step 1
Examine glove styles from different manufacturers. The design of the glove, such as material and padding depth, is as essential as the size. A manufacturer's glove in one size may fit differently from another company. Once you find the right design, you can move on to sizing.
Step 2
Try on gloves from the manufacturer you prefer. A youth glove ranges from 31 to 32 inches in circumference. An adult glove can go up to 34 inches or more. The glove should be snug, but not tight. Flex your hand with the glove on to see how it feels. If any fingers feel numb or pinched, try the next size. If the glove is loose and you can move your fingers inside, go down one size.
Step 3
Pick up a baseball and hold it in the glove. Keep in mind, all new gloves are stiff and require breaking in to feel right. Wear the glove for 15 minutes. If at any time you experience numbness, you should try another glove size or style.
Tips and Warnings
- Even though age is a gauging factor for baseball gloves, a youth may still need an adult glove. If the youth sizes do not fit, move up to an adult glove. Ellis says a mitt is a personal choice. The most expensive design is not always the best. Try gloves on with different padding. One may seem right, but the next one might feel perfect.
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