33" of 34"

chazbz1 said:

My leftie's first serious mitt was a Akadema 33 inch and she loved it. It broke in fast and was comfortable. The problem with it was that it broke in fast and was only good for a season. Then the reinforcing plastic shattered and she could not use it. This said for two reasons. Beware of soft glove that break in easy. Know that they typically won't last more than a season. They are decent choices for a beginner catcher who's not sure it's that's their main position. Also know that a 33 inch Akadema and a 33 inch Vinci are vastly different. Many manufactures such as Akadema offer 33 inch gloves that are HUGE! A 33 inch Vinci next to one looks very small. The outer circumference is the same, but the hand and pocket are formed differently. Akadema's gloves (in general) are nearly as flat as a dinner plate. Many catchers like this type of shallow pocket because it looks bigger and they think they have a bigger, more capable glove. But the areas off the pocket are harder to catch a ball in and they are more likely to drop pitches. (Generally speaking) Vinci offers a deeper pocket and while this makes them appear smaller, the pocket is much more capable and there are less dropped pitches (Once the glove is broke in) Vinci offers smaller finger stalls for girl's hands but are designed to stretch to fit one's fingers as the is worn and broken in. If you are comparing a 33 inch to a 34 inch in the Vinci, know that the 33 inch is an open "H" web and the 34" is a closed web with dual vertical weaves. With the deep pocket, the difference in the circumference is minimal. I would suggest the 33 inch for younger hands (8-12) as the dual H web is slightly easier to close. I have 11U to college players using both webs. Below is the 34 inch in red white and black and the 33 inch in black and gray.

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seedamin said:

My DD (12u this past season) uses a 34" Mizuno today and working on ordering her a new 34" Vinci through Chaz.

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