Need recommendation for dad's catching hand

[dgh31]

I had to go with a baseball catchers mitt. I tried so many fastpitch catchers mitts and couldn't find one that fit my hand well. I ended up buying this one for $150:

https://www.baseballexpress.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=19246

All Star Pro Series 35" CM3100BT

It works great for softball and fits my hand great.

 

[coachbubbles]

I asked the same question a few weeks ago and got the same suggestions as above. I ended up with the Liberty Advanced and couldn’t be happier. Night and day difference and my hand is happy!

 

[Drakemir]

If you are going to spend 150 might as well just jump up to a JCV-34. Really not that much more than an All-Star if you know the right people and the best hand protection in the business. All great options though - The All- Star is a great glove!

If someone did want one sub 100$ then a Fortus will handle pretty much anything you throw at it - one of DDs coaches use it to warm up pitchers - no hand issues, with girls throwing in the upper 50s.

 

[Tatonka]

Bought DDC a backup mitt to her Vinci JCV -VM a few weeks ago. She needs something to use when her Vinci is "in the shop" or in the event of an emergency and I needed something to use to catch her sister (DDP) when she's not available. I didn't want to use her Vinci too much and mess up the finger stalls, etc.. We got an incredible deal (under $120) on a Liberty Advanced 34" that so far seems to be perfect for the job. DDC likes it (definitely larger than the Vinci) and I've used it a couple times catching DDP throwing mid/high 50s and no pain yet.

 

[CoreSoftball20]

ANNASDAD - as usual - is spot on with his recommendations.

Last week, I had a chance to spend some time with a brand new Rawlings Liberty Advanced (breaking it in for a friend's DD). It's a very good mitt. Nice leather, very good padding, and feels good on the hand. It's not Vinci-level palm padding, or All-Star CMW3000-level thumb protection, but it certainly deserves to be in the same conversation. However, these mitts we're talking about aren't cheap. Good hand protection in the under-$100 category is a tough order to fill.

I got a Liberty Advanced for the wifey years back when it was a Worth label and she loves it. It came pretty soft and price was def a good bang for the buck. She is still using it.

 

[Eric F]

I got a Liberty Advanced for the wifey years back when it was a Worth label and she loves it. It came pretty soft and price was, was def a good bang for the buck. She is still using it.

I bought a Worth LA for my kid a couple of years ago. It wasn't compatible with her. It immediately became mine. Since I don't have a pitcher DD, it doesn't get a lot of use, so it's going to last me a very long time.

 

[Bob516]

the Rawlings Liberty Advanced

The Liberty Advanced I ordered just arrived. I had to laugh comparing it to the 30 year old Rawlings' Fernando Valenzuela glove I have been using. Maybe my hand won't hurt as much.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[ANNASDAD]

The Liberty Advanced I ordered just arrived. I had to laugh comparing it to the 30 year old Rawlings' Fernando Valenzuela glove I have been using. Maybe my hand won't hurt as much.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Good to hear, your catching hand will thank you the very first time you use it! My favorite glove is a 30+ year old Wilson A2000 XLO, I'll never part with it and still use it every now and then, having said that.....there's no way I would ever sit on a bucket and have Anna throw balls at me with that old glove on my hand!

Have fun with the break in, and don't steam or heat that new glove!!

 

[Bob516]

Have fun with the break in, and don't steam or heat that new glove!!

Thanks. I was considering steaming it, but I've been convinced to do nothing but pound a ball into it myself many, many times, and just practice with it. I am not going to add anything to it.

 

[Eric F]

Since you're not in a hurry to get it game ready, just catching with it is perfectly fine.