New catcher's mitt decision

[Grogger31]

Following on the heels of my 'New Fielders Glove' thread (way too closely on the heels for my wallet), here are the unboxing pics of DD's choices. Reminder, my DD is 13 playing her last year of middle school ball and playing 14u travel ball. This is to replace her Mizuno GXS92 due to faster pitching these days.

-Mizuno Samurai GXS31TG
-All Star CMW4000
-Worth Liberty Advanced LACMWN





DD hasn't seen them yet, but my first impressions are:

- The All-Star is much smaller than the other two. I'm guessing DD will not like how small it is. It is also the lightest and the stiffest of the three.

- The Mizuno is built like a Mack truck, but is only slightly heavier than the All-Star. It will be interesting to see how DD likes (or dislikes) the built in thumb guard.

- The Worth is like a jai alai cesta. It's big and on the heavier side.

As expected, they are all stiff and really well made. This should be interesting ...

 

[Eric F]

I will be following this thread closely. If you decide against this All-Star, you might want to swap it for the CMW3000. It's slightly larger, and was designed with input from Jay @ NECC. IMO, it's worthwhile considering.

 

[Grogger31]

I debated between the 3000 and 4000, Eric. The 3000 just reminded me of a baseball mitt the way the padding looked and the fact that it was a single-hinge made me unsure, given that DD has only tried dual hinge mitts.

As you know , I was interested in having her look at a Vinci also, but after the success with our retailer experience with her fielder's glove, I wanted to go down that path again.

 

[vdubya]

Thanks for the pics. I very well may end up with that Liberty myself. Good luck.

 

[Eric F]

My impression of the Worth Liberty Advanced is that it would make a very good mitt for a bucket dad or strong full-size DD, but may be too much beef for a younger player.

 

[Grogger31]

So DD just got home and tried all three on. She liked the Mizuno and the Worth Liberty very much.

The size didn't concern her on the All-Star, but she didn't like the way it fit her hand at all. She tightened the wrist strap as far as it would go and the glove would still fall off her hand. Also, she felt like she couldn't get her hand in far enough to have really good control (which is weird, given that it's an overall smaller glove than the other two).

I think the back of the All-Star is just more "open" than the other two. Combine that with not cinching down far enough to stay on her hand, and it looks like we have eliminated the All-Star.

More to come ...

 

[Lenski]

The 3000 just reminded me of a baseball mitt the way the padding looked and the fact that it was a single-hinge made me unsure, given that DD has only tried dual hinge mitts.

While it may look like one wide hinge, it actually works as a dual hinge (if break-in is proper at the edge of the toes).

 

[redhotcoach]

My wife has a worth liberty advanced 1st base mitt. I like it, and often steal it when she isn't around.

 

[ANNASDAD]

While it may look like one wide hinge, it actually works as a dual hinge (if break-in is proper at the edge of the toes).

Lenski is correct, my 3000 is starting to break like a dual hinge but it doesn't have quite as wide a heel as an actual dual hinge mitt.
Grogger31, the first time I saw a photo of the 3000 I thought it looked like a baseball mitt also. The 3000 has great thumb protection
if thats a big concern for your DD.

 

[Grogger31]

Thanks AnnasDad,

Thumb protection is always an issue, although since she's been wearing an evoshield thumb guard, it's really been an afterthought.

Going to get out there and throw with her tomorrow, so we'll see what progress we make with the decision.