One cause of thumb injuries could be not using proper catching technique.
Proper receiving technique can certainly minimize thumb joint injuries. That said, sometimes catchers get crossed-up. Especially young ones.
One cause of thumb injuries could be not using proper catching technique.
looking at fortus, how would you rate padding and thumb protection in this vs say akadema or allstar vela gloves (open to other suggestions as well).
First and foremost - the Fortus is Vinci's entry level catchers glove - at around 100 bucks. With that being said - it gives exceptional hand protection and its built like a tank for its price point. Primary catcher and a handful of coaches all use one for our 14u team with girls throwing in the low to mid 50s with zero hand issues, or thumb pain. You might still get a stinger if you flat palm a ball, but the Vincis have the best padding/hand protection in the game. Issue with the fortus is a 32.5 which means its prolly closer to 31.5 so its a bit small - which is great for newer catchers and smaller hands. Its also steerhide palm with lesser leather on the back - it will be great for 2-3 seasons, but this isnt the glove you buy and expect to last to college. Not to say that it can't - but the upper level gloves are going to hold up much better. I currently only recommend the Fortus gloves with the H web - the basket web ones tend to be a bit more shallow in the pocket and cause more drops if using it with 12" balls.
If you are looking at the Akadema or All Star gloves, they are both excellent - but if you want the best hand protection out there - the JCV-VM would be the next step up for Vinci, skipping the steerhide. Great hand protection and padding. Will require a significant break in period, but for the price point you can't get a higher quality glove.
thanks for the feed back, for where she is right now, fortus probably the way to go, and definitely would do the H web, she likes to be able to see the ball all the way in even if she has to raise the glove/mitt up. sounds like it will be good for her, smaller size is a plus as long as it can handle 12s (this spring is her last for 10u).