preferences for inner glove for catchers

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

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

May 6, 2015
2,397
113
the instructor at the pitching sessions does give pointers/instruction to the catchers at the open pitching session (at least the younger ones, bucket dads drafted into service are on their own :))

part of the issue (and she does same when playing field) is a tendency to catch in palm rather than web. working with her on this, I think part of issue may be issues reading the ball, she just got glasses, but frames she picked do not work under helmet (either helmet), so going to get her sports glasses/goggles as well.
 
Nov 18, 2015
1,585
113
Another plug for the Evo shield. I️ use it myself, and as I’ve mentioned before, if it came down to it, I️ may even consider it more important than my cup.

I️ think I️ spent $20 for mine a few years ago. If they’ll replace one, great, but I️ also think $20 is money well spent to fix or prevent what could easily become a life-long issue.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Oct 3, 2011
3,478
113
Right Here For Now
The absolutely best thing you can do for your DD is to teach her the proper receiving technique found at www.catchingclinic.com . Download the streaming video on how to teach her from the store. It'll be the best money you spent. The second best thing you can do for her in the meantime is to let her heal up. The third best thing you can do for her until she becomes proficient at receiving the ball is to buy and properly mold the evoshield thumbgaurd. The last thing you can do if your trying to make her catchers mitt last is to buy the XproteX Reaktor glove. It has padding in all of the individual finger joints as well as the palm and has been a Godsend in the long run for my DD when her padding has run out in the actual mitt. Of course, your alternative is to have the mitt rebuilt with new padding put in but that won't solve the issue of improper receiving and getting her thumb pounded.
 
Jul 14, 2010
716
18
NJ/PA
The EvoShield thumb protector is an OK solution, mine helps when I catch my DD but hers did not mold properly and doesn't seem to help her at all when she's catching her pitchers. I switched to the Team Defender Pro and it's a significant upgrade, though it can be difficult to get my hand into the mitt while wearing it. Much better protection and no more thumb pain.
 
May 6, 2015
2,397
113
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).
 
May 28, 2014
281
18
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.
 
May 6, 2015
2,397
113
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).
 
May 28, 2014
281
18
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).

It would be perfect for her then - thats really the ideal glove for that age- and will last her through 12u - where if she is still a primary catch can move up to a upper level glove. Send me a message, I can get you a better price on one.

Dave
 
Jul 29, 2013
6,782
113
North Carolina
For a 10 year old, I'd have to say a Vinci Fortus or an All-Star CMW2510. I may be wrong, but I think the JCV-22, the CMW3000 and the CMW4000 are just too much mitt for a 10 year old unless she's an exceptionally big girl. And between the two I listed, I'd lean toward the Fortus.
 
Top