Good technique is definitely important, but it turns out that players aren't perfect every time. Mistakes happen. My DD prefers to have a little extra protection for when they do.
First base mitt instead of catcher’s mitt?
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Good technique is definitely important, but it turns out that players aren't perfect every time. Mistakes happen. My DD prefers to have a little extra protection for when they do.
Technique is definitely important and so is using the proper equipment IMO. I believe both are required to prevent injuries. DD started have bruising at base of thumb when her pitchers began throwing in the mid 50’s. She switched to a quality catchers mitt from a mid range mitt four years ago and hasn’t had any issues since. To change something that works for her and has worked for others for decades based on the recommendation of a coach just isn’t enough for me to consider using a mitt with less padding.
Now in the case of the OP, the catcher is having issues holding on to the ball. I would definitely try a couple of different catchers mitts before making a switch to a 1B mitt. Maybe a single break catchers mitt would be a good fit for her. DD has never used one, but I’ve been told they are easier to close than a dual break mitt. I would also think that a longer 1B mitt would be tough to control for a kid with smaller hands. DD also has smallish hands and a 33” catchers mitt works very well for her.
Now in the case of the OP, the catcher is having issues holding on to the ball. I would definitely try a couple of different catchers mitts before making a switch to a 1B mitt. Maybe a single break catchers mitt would be a good fit for her. DD has never used one, but I’ve been told they are easier to close than a dual break mitt. I would also think that a longer 1B mitt would be tough to control for a kid with smaller hands. DD also has smallish hands and a 33” catchers mitt works very well for her.
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Well I don't catch for a living
, but I consider myself a pretty good catcher. My daughter is a spinner with good movement who tops out at 60mph right now, we have another girl, a 10th grader who throws a pretty nasty 62mph two seam FB with late sharp movement. This is where I think catchers thumb or "stingers" happen, a catcher thinks or feels she has a ball squared up, she still catches it but it moved just a little more than she thought at the end and she took it off the base of the thumb first before the ball went into the pocket. Now, repeat, repeat, and repeat.......
All I know is when a pitcher gets into the upper 50's or breaks that 60mph barrier, and she spins the ball, I want a well padded dedicated catchers mitt!
, but I consider myself a pretty good catcher. My daughter is a spinner with good movement who tops out at 60mph right now, we have another girl, a 10th grader who throws a pretty nasty 62mph two seam FB with late sharp movement. This is where I think catchers thumb or "stingers" happen, a catcher thinks or feels she has a ball squared up, she still catches it but it moved just a little more than she thought at the end and she took it off the base of the thumb first before the ball went into the pocket. Now, repeat, repeat, and repeat.......All I know is when a pitcher gets into the upper 50's or breaks that 60mph barrier, and she spins the ball, I want a well padded dedicated catchers mitt!
Erickson requires it on his team. I wonder what he does on the Olympic team. I believe the Junior Olympic team catchers were using a first basrman's glove as well.
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Chris Delorit
Member
Jdaddy,
Hypothetical...
Your daughter is a good player, HS age, and plays for a good travel ball program. Ken Eriksen is not only her head coach, but was also a catcher on an ASA Major National Champion and has a couple rings. He's had the opportunity to catch National Team players from Canada and New Zealand. He sees a talented, athletic and competant player in your daughter and likes her future. In fact, he thinks she could play for USF in two years.
In his experience, he feels the change to a 1st base mitt will be of benefit to her. He'll teach her how to better handle the drop to keep discomfort to a minimum. She agrees and eventually likes the improved feel, lighter weight, can control a ball better and her glove hand becomes quicker and more precise.
He has a catching tandem and can't recruit her, but personally recommends her to Karen Weekly.
As a father, what's your recommendation?
Chris
Not much on hypothetical situations. I could throw one out about how my DD switched to a first base mitt and after the repeated pounding on her thumb, she permanently loses feeling and mobility, blah, blah. It’s not the real world. I just shared my real world experience with my DD’s situation, why I don’t want her using a glove designed for a different position with inferior padding and why I, a lowly old softball Dad, would not recommend it. If Ken Erickson said use a first base mitt at catcher, or don’t play for me, I believe DD would choose not to play for him. I would definitely have reservations about it. If she did have an offer from USF, I’m sure she would have several other opportunities to play college ball where using a 1B mitt was not required.Jdaddy,
Hypothetical...
Your daughter is a good player, HS age, and plays for a good travel ball program. Ken Eriksen is not only her head coach, but was also a catcher on an ASA Major National Champion and has a couple rings. He's had the opportunity to catch National Team players from Canada and New Zealand. He sees a talented, athletic and competant player in your daughter and likes her future. In fact, he thinks she could play for USF in two years.
In his experience, he feels the change to a 1st base mitt will be of benefit to her. He'll teach her how to better handle the drop to keep discomfort to a minimum. She agrees and eventually likes the improved feel, lighter weight, can control a ball better and her glove hand becomes quicker and more precise.
He has a catching tandem and can't recruit her, but personally recommends her to Karen Weekly.
As a father, what's your recommendation?
Chris
Funny you mentioned Karen Weekly. DD has played against her granddaughter since 10U travel and now in HS. I believe the Weekly’s former AC and son Marc, who has watched my DD play dozens of games, would tell you she does just fine with a traditional catchers mitt.
Why any coach would require a kid switch to a 1B mitt when they are quite capable of using a traditional mitt is beyond me and seems just a bit egotistical.
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- Jun 18, 2013
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I didn’t mean to start a debate about Coach Eriksen’s philosophy with this. My DD worked with Savannah Jaquish over the winter break and she used a catcher’s mitt. There are merits both ways. I was merely asking about the pros and cons.
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Does a 1B mitt effect a catchers ability to "frame" a pitch? During bucket time with my DD I did not worry about framing, tried to catch every pitch in the web. If a catcher is framing are they more apt to hold the glove on the corner knowing they have extra padding on the outside edge of the glove? As an umpire - if the web of the glove is on the outside edge of the plate are you more apt to call a strike vs. when the catcher moves the web into the "river"?
I think this is a good point to remember when thinking about gear for a TB player. Eriksen has been working with the best of the best for a long time. When your pitching staff is Monica Abbott, Cat Osterman, Jennie Finch, and Lisa Fernandez, it's not too likely that your catcher will be spending much time stabbing at errant balls.
My DD pitches too, and I'm very happy to use her old Vinci to catch her!
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