First base mitt instead of catcher’s mitt?

quandofloo · Jan 30, 2018

While I was attending a practice at USF with my DD and one of my players we noticed that all of their catchers were using first base mitts. My DD and I are considering making that switch since she is due for a new mitt.

What are the opinions here about the differences in mitts?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

quincy · Jan 30, 2018

At younger ages a 1st basemens mitt is fine.

Once the pitching speed picks up I would want a catchers mitt.

CNJ-Catcher06 · Jan 30, 2018

Just saw USF coach Ken Eriksen at s conference, he recommended using a first baseman's mitt for all catchers. His reasoning was that most finger injuries result from catching pitches too close to the palm, the first base mitt has the big web that directs the ball away from any direct contact with the hand. He said that he wouldn't recommend it for baseball players, since the smaller ball can be difficult to fish out if you have to make a throw. But a big 'ole 12-inch softball? No problem.

DD will be needing a new glove soon, interesting to think about.

Eric F · Jan 30, 2018

CNJ-Catcher06 said:
Just saw USF coach Ken Eriksen at s conference, he recommended using a first baseman's mitt for all catchers. His reasoning was that most finger injuries result from catching pitches too close to the palm, the first base mitt has the big web that directs the ball away from any direct contact with the hand. He said that he wouldn't recommend it for baseball players, since the smaller ball can be difficult to fish out if you have to make a throw. But a big 'ole 12-inch softball? No problem.

DD will be needing a new glove soon, interesting to think about.

Ummm...yeah...I'm not buying it. My kid is sticking with the best-padded mitt on the market. She's been bitten too many times.

Jdaddy · Jan 30, 2018

Eric F said:
Ummm...yeah...I'm not buying it. My kid is sticking with the best-padded mitt on the market. She's been bitten too many times.

Agree 100%! DD catches multiple pitchers in HS and travel who throw low 60’s consistently. When a catcher “gets around” the ball while receiving, the ball hits at the base of the pocket at the pad of the index finger and thumb more times than not. I would never consider her giving up that extra padding.

Chris Delorit · Jan 30, 2018

quandofloo said:
While I was attending a practice at USF with my DD and one of my players we noticed that all of their catchers were using first base mitts. My DD and I are considering making that switch since she is due for a new mitt.

What are the opinions here about the differences in mitts?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great question quandofloo.

First base mitts eliminate the finger edge padding, and are generally lighter and can eventually become more of an extension of your own hand (feel) than a dedicated catcher's mitt. There may be a slight bit of construction, sewing and padding difference, but they're generally meant to fit the same purpose, which is eliminate the spacing of individual fingers. The reason they're constructed like this for catchers and 1st base is to elimate the ability for the ball to pass through the individual fingers of infield/outfield gloves.

Palm injuries are more relevant with improper catching technique. Those can occur with any glove, at any postition. A big issue with the catching position is getting that thumb bent backwards. This is less catching technique and glove type and much more a bet at the roulette wheel.

I'd recommend it. But, ultimately she has to use what feels best for her own needs.

Jdaddy · Jan 31, 2018

Chris Delorit said:
Great question quandofloo.

First base mitts eliminate the finger edge padding, and are generally lighter and can eventually become more of an extension of your own hand (feel) than a dedicated catcher's mitt. There may be a slight bit of construction, sewing and padding difference, but they're generally meant to fit the same purpose, which is eliminate the spacing of individual fingers. The reason they're constructed like this for catchers and 1st base is to elimate the ability for the ball to pass through the individual fingers of infield/outfield gloves.

Palm injuries are more relevant with improper catching technique. Those can occur with any glove, at any postition. A big issue with the catching position is getting that thumb bent backwards. This is less catching technique and glove type and much more a bet at the roulette wheel.

I'd recommend it. But, ultimately she has to use what feels best for her own needs.

I have to disagree with you on this one. I have yet to see a 1B mitt that has the palm padding of a quality catchers mitt. To say that improper technique is what leads to most catcher’s hand injuries just isn’t true. Catchers are taught to get around the ball with their fingers pointed at the pitch aka getting around the ball. This is why proper receiving leads to the ball being caught at the base of the pocket and not clean in the pocket. To catch a ball clean in the pocket you would have to have your fingers pointed towards the sky or to the side, both of which are incorrect. “Catchers thumb” is not caused by the thumb being bent backwards, it is the constant solid contact at the base of the thumb using proper technique with a glove with inadequate padding, which is why I would never recommend a 1B mitt for a catcher.

quandofloo · Jan 31, 2018

It was my understanding that catchers thumb was a break from the thumb being bent backwards not a repetitive stress injury.

I’m seriously considering the switch for two reasons. My DD has smallish hands and the extra padding can actually make pocket a little harder to manage for her causing some misplays. It’s doubly frustrating for her because I am her travel coach and I am admittedly demanding on my catchers. They all know dropped strikes can turn into balls and I don’t like doing that to my pitchers.

The other consideration is for plays at home. The first base mitt would make holding onto the ball in tag and blocking situations easier.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

625ender · Jan 31, 2018

There's a ton of truth in Ken Eriksen's comments. The biggest problem is that catchers are rarely taught how to properly catch the ball. Hand injuries occur when balls are palmed especially in softball because of the distance between the thumb and index finger in a mitt style glove. The thumb no longer has an index finger to support it. It's on it's own. Palm caught balls force even more separation. I've caught maybe a million of baseballs and never had a hand injury beyond a little numbness.

Extra padding, batting gloves, sting guards, snake oil........... wont make up for improper technique

JAD · Jan 31, 2018

I started out using a 1B mitt for bucket time with my DD, but by the time she was throwing upper 50's I was looking for a good deal on a used catchers mitt.

First base mitt instead of catcher’s mitt?

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

quandofloo

quincy

CNJ-Catcher06

Eric F

Jdaddy

Chris Delorit

Member

Jdaddy

quandofloo

625ender

JAD

Similar threads

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Share this page

Online statistics

Forum statistics