If you search the site for "thumb guard", you'll find many of the same posters with the same responses. b/c this is an area that can end a catcher's career before it's even started. Thumb injuries tend to be recurring. While somewhat rarer in SB than BB, it's still a concern, and once you've "jammed a thumb", it something that could linger for years and become very susceptible to repeat injuries.
So in a (rather large) nutshell - here's my recommendations (in no particular order, other than #1):
1. Do something about it NOW. Go buy a new glove, or get a guard. But don't put off protecting her thumb. Order something or go buy it tonight, so she'll have it for this weekends games.
2. Evo-Shield thumb guard - Great product. I've used it myself - it's been a lifesaver for me when the rare times I get to play old-man baseball. This will sound ridiculous, but I'd rather go w/o a cup behind the plate than without a thumb guard. However, I don't use it anymore, b/c I've upgraded to...
3. Amazon product ASIN B06XKP79YB - This does the same thing, but with the added benefit of being able to lace it into the glove, so there's no chance of it getting lost.
4a. Glove upgrade - For BB, I switched from a low-end Mizuno to a high-end Vinci in order to get extra thumb protection. However, the new glove didn't take the thumb guard very well (better leather, handstall wasn't as stretched out as with the floppy Mizuno), so that's why I switched to #3 (Endoskel). 0 injuries over ~30-50 games b/w both them.
4b. For SB - I've partially jammed my thumb maybe once in 4(?) years while using a Liberty Advanced catchers mitt. Look for single-hinged (vs. dual-hinged), for the most thumb protection. I think the top of the line All-Star mitt is still selling for $149. I got one for my daughter specifically for the protection. IMO, quality is superior to my LA, as well as a few other similar or higher-priced gloves.
I should clarify - if the thumb pain is just from speed (it stings, she's catching it in the palm kind of feeling), go with a batting glove, padded batting glove, or 4b. If her thumb HURTS, from jamming / hyper-extending it, that's a more serious issue - see #1, and go from there.
So in a (rather large) nutshell - here's my recommendations (in no particular order, other than #1):
1. Do something about it NOW. Go buy a new glove, or get a guard. But don't put off protecting her thumb. Order something or go buy it tonight, so she'll have it for this weekends games.
2. Evo-Shield thumb guard - Great product. I've used it myself - it's been a lifesaver for me when the rare times I get to play old-man baseball. This will sound ridiculous, but I'd rather go w/o a cup behind the plate than without a thumb guard. However, I don't use it anymore, b/c I've upgraded to...
3. Amazon product ASIN B06XKP79YB - This does the same thing, but with the added benefit of being able to lace it into the glove, so there's no chance of it getting lost.
4a. Glove upgrade - For BB, I switched from a low-end Mizuno to a high-end Vinci in order to get extra thumb protection. However, the new glove didn't take the thumb guard very well (better leather, handstall wasn't as stretched out as with the floppy Mizuno), so that's why I switched to #3 (Endoskel). 0 injuries over ~30-50 games b/w both them.
4b. For SB - I've partially jammed my thumb maybe once in 4(?) years while using a Liberty Advanced catchers mitt. Look for single-hinged (vs. dual-hinged), for the most thumb protection. I think the top of the line All-Star mitt is still selling for $149. I got one for my daughter specifically for the protection. IMO, quality is superior to my LA, as well as a few other similar or higher-priced gloves.
I should clarify - if the thumb pain is just from speed (it stings, she's catching it in the palm kind of feeling), go with a batting glove, padded batting glove, or 4b. If her thumb HURTS, from jamming / hyper-extending it, that's a more serious issue - see #1, and go from there.
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