Lefty Catchers Mitt for small 12U

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Apr 26, 2015
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I know it's been asked a Milllion times… But DD needs a new catchers mitt. She is a relatively small girl with small hands. (58" and 70ish lbs with long skinny fingers). I am having problems finding any LHT gloves for her to try on locally and I need some suggestions. She is a 1st yr 12U player. She catches about 1/2 the time. She has been using an old Wilson that her coach picked up cheap last year, but it is beginning to get a little floppy. I'm not sure we are ready to invest in a forever glove at this point - because I assume at some point the kid will grow. I have looked up several gloves that I've seen people talk about on here only to find that they are RHT only.

Curious about All-Star and Vinci (maybe Fortus series) or any other suggestions.
 
Aug 16, 2015
129
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I'm just curious why a lefty catches? Isn't that an invitation for the other team to steal 3rd all day?
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
I'm just curious why a lefty catches? Isn't that an invitation for the other team to steal 3rd all day?

A lefty will be challenged by throwing to 3B just as much as a righty will be challenged by throwing to 1B. Throwing effectively to all bases is a critical part of doing the job well. These are skills that need to be practiced for all catchers. I would never discount a lefty catcher just because of being lefty.
 
Dec 4, 2010
40
8
I'm just curious why a lefty catches? Isn't that an invitation for the other team to steal 3rd all day?

Haha, I love this one...DD's first 4 or 5 girls she threw out had this same thought...teach them proper footwork and no issues going to 3rd and has many advantages snapping to 1B and on bunt coverage.

KPower, had the same problems. DD is still using her Rawlings Champion (looks like they call them Renegade now) I got her at 10U. She is a second year 12U and just now looking to replace her mitt.
 
Apr 26, 2015
704
43
I'm just curious why a lefty catches? Isn't that an invitation for the other team to steal 3rd all day?

Haha, I love this one...DD's first 4 or 5 girls she threw out had this same thought...teach them proper footwork and no issues going to 3rd and has many advantages snapping to 1B and on bunt coverage.

Yep sballdad - totally agree. I would challenge just about any 12U player to try to steal 3rd on my lefty. She has more throwdowns (to 1st, 2nd and 3rd) than the other 2 (right handed) catchers on her team combined. The kid has a cannon for an arm, she is quick and she is smart. If you discount a lefty behind the plate you are making a huge mistake!
 
Aug 16, 2015
129
18
Yep sballdad - totally agree. I would challenge just about any 12U player to try to steal 3rd on my lefty. She has more throwdowns (to 1st, 2nd and 3rd) than the other 2 (right handed) catchers on her team combined. The kid has a cannon for an arm, she is quick and she is smart. If you discount a lefty behind the plate you are making a huge mistake!

I don't doubt, at 12u, a lefty catcher, who has a really good arm, can throw people out. At this age, arm strength can overcome the step across your body.

I think my point is once they get to high school, the speed and jump of the runners will catch up. All I need to do is put my girls back in the box and watch a lefty try to throw around them.

I don't mean to discourage.... that's not the intent. Maybe she's very quick and can overcome the time it takes to turn her whole body.
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
I don't doubt, at 12u, a lefty catcher, who has a really good arm, can throw people out. At this age, arm strength can overcome the step across your body.

I think my point is once they get to high school, the speed and jump of the runners will catch up. All I need to do is put my girls back in the box and watch a lefty try to throw around them.

I don't mean to discourage.... that's not the intent. Maybe she's very quick and can overcome the time it takes to turn her whole body.

If that's the case, why don't you create the same issue for RH throwing catchers by putting your hitters in the front of the box?

Clearing the batter and throwing to 3B is no issue for either a lefty or righty catcher IF they've been taught properly.
 
Dec 19, 2012
1,428
0
I don't doubt, at 12u, a lefty catcher, who has a really good arm, can throw people out. At this age, arm strength can overcome the step across your body.

I think my point is once they get to high school, the speed and jump of the runners will catch up. All I need to do is put my girls back in the box and watch a lefty try to throw around them.

I don't mean to discourage.... that's not the intent. Maybe she's very quick and can overcome the time it takes to turn her whole body.

My dd is a LHT catcher and plays in college (D1). She has ZERO problems throwing to 3rd. You don't thow around the batter.....you throw behind them. Put your kids as far back in the box as you want.....it doesn't matter. Also, when a LHT catcher fields bunts they are in great position to throw to first unlike RHT catchers. LHT catchers do not have to circle around bunts to get into position to throw to 1st. They can go straight at the bunted ball. Bunting happens much more often in a game than steals to 3rd.

Here's a young LHT lady simulating a throw to 3rd. This video is from the catchingcamp channel on YouTube. I assume this is the YouTube channel of New England Catching Camp.

 
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