which catchers mitt?

looking for opinions on a new catchers mitt. 12 yr old has used a first base mitt to catch up until now, speeds are increasing and needs more padding. can't decide on what mitt to go with. biggest concern is balls popping out. looking for a mitt that has deep pocket. have looked online at all-star cmw4000 , rawlings liberty, and wilson a2000. there is no stores in my general area that carries more than a couple of mitts(usually not what im looking for) would really like her to try on to get a feel of what she likes. she wants to go with a 34" but from what i read there is not much difference between the 33" and 34" any advice and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Based on the ones you've mentioned, it sounds like you're looking for a higher-quality mitt that will last a while. For a deep pocket, the Mizuno MVP is really un-matched, but the long-term durability is not going to match the others you've listed. This is also reflected in the price. The Wilson A2000 has a very shallow pocket - great for quick transfers, but many girls don't like the pocket for receiving. Like all A2000's it will last a very long time. The All-Star CMW4000 is a very good mitt - light, decent depth pocket, a little on the smaller side. The Rawlings Liberty Advanced has a deeper pocket, and is a very good mitt with good palm protection.

Others to look at...
- All-Star CMW3000 - Deep pocket, very good protection, well-built.

- Vinci - The H-web models will have a pocket similar to the All-Star CMW4000, but not quite as deep as the Rawlings LA. The soild-web models will have a pocket similar to the Wilson. Vinci has the BEST palm pad available. If you want protection, this is where it's at. It also means that breaking it in can be one hell of a battle. If you're interested in learning more about the Vinci options, contact DFP'er Drakemir (he can also hook you up with favorable pricing!)

My DD's current mitt is a Vinci JCV34. It came with a solid web, and my DD struggled with it to the point of almost giving up on it. I contacted Vinci about replacing the web, and they sent me an H-web to replace the solid one. This made all the difference for my DD. Now, she loves it. She's had it for a year (since she was 13), and I expect it to last all the way through HS, playing both travel and school ball.

At 11-12yo, my DD used the Mizuno MVP playing travel ball.


Also...Welcome to DFP!!

my DD is 2007, and she now loves her All Star CMW3000. takes a while to break in though, have her catch a bunch of pitching lessons if possible during winter (when popping out of mitt does not cost anyone anything). we went 3000 rather than 4000 because I thought her hand was too small for a double hinge mitt. we bought it without being able to try on. go read a whole lot of reviews online, had to find anywhere that will stock severl different med to high end fastpitch catchers mitts.

We just bought our second CMW3000, the first one lasted four years of year round travel/high school play. Out of all the major brands, which DD tried, this one felt the best. It took roughly two to three weeks to get the new one broken in properly - lots of catch, bullpens and a couple of sessions with machine balls in a cage.

I'd suggest ordering your top three or four from a vendor with free returns to see what DD likes best. It might cost a few more bucks that way, but you'll know that you got the mitt that works best for YOUR DD.

thanks for all the input, i have always looked more toward higher quality gloves for the long haul. at least im looking in the right direction. also glad to be on DFP!

donnie said:

thanks for all the input, i have always looked more toward higher quality gloves for the long haul. at least im looking in the right direction. also glad to be on DFP!

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I highly recommend taking a close look at the Vinci JCV-VM...and talk to Drakemir.

https://www.vincipro.com/jcv-vm-33-inch-girls-fast_pitch-catchers-mitt.html

This is a really nice steerhide mitt at a ridiculous price!
https://www.closeoutbats.com/louisville-lxt-catchers-mitt-33in-wtllxrf17cm-2017.html

DD use's a Mizuno MVP SE for catching. Great quality for the price point. She's an 06'.

Unfortunately, I have the Vinci and also ordered it with the solid web. For a 34” the glove just feels small. I sent it back and got an h web put on it, and it was a little better but still shallow and the pocket has not really formed correctly. I tried to use it and get it to shape better by catching our pitchers, but it just doesn’t feel right. DD has stopped catching as of this fall so its just a garage ornament now. Ill have to look to see exactly what model it is but it was about the same price listed above.

OTOH, she loves her fielding glove from Vinci! Drakmir is the man for them.

4 girl's dad said:

Unfortunately, I have the Vinci and also ordered it with the solid web. For a 34” the glove just feels small. I sent it back and got an h web put on it, and it was a little better but still shallow and the pocket has not really formed correctly. I tried to use it and get it to shape better by catching our pitchers, but it just doesn’t feel right. DD has stopped catching as of this fall so its just a garage ornament now. Ill have to look to see exactly what model it is but it was about the same price listed above.

OTOH, she loves her fielding glove from Vinci! Drakmir is the man for them.

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Bummer that yours is going unused. If it's the same price as the JCV-VM, it's probably the JVC34. These kip leather mitts are monsters to break in. For my DD's JCV34, after I added the H-web, I spent a lot of time with a ball in the pocket and sitting on the mitt, and leaving it jammed between couch cushions, giving the leather a chance to stretch and form around the ball.