Catchers mitt for 1st time catcher?

[chapelhillbilly]

My daughter is 12 and has played since she was 8. I've always had the dream of her catching because of her build and her arm and it seemed like a good fit. But..she was having none of it. So I gave up. And wouldn't you know it when I gave up she decided she would like to try it. (She is def my child cause I'm the same way LOL) I'm taking her to a catching coach with a really good reputation. Her name is Doreen Denmon and she has played on international teams and (from the info I got when I googled her) she was one of the trainers for the 94 Olympic softball team. Anyway... Since she has never done this I went to a second hand sporting goods place and got her some gear but she's been using her regular fielding glove. I'd like to buy her a good catchers mitt for no more than $100-$120. I don't mind spending that much but I'm not spending $200 on a catchers mitt if she decides in a few months she doesn't like it. One of the pitchers she will be catching off of pitches very fast for her age. Does anyone have any suggestions for a middle of the line catchers mitt?

Oh and she will also be playing Middle School softball next year.

 

[JAD]

Ebay.....there are a lot of good catchers mitts, new and used, there for under $100. You can even find really nice gloves for less than $50 on occasion. Make sure you buy a glove that is designed for softball (it has a bigger spread in the palm to accomodate the larger ball size). Using a baseball catchers mitt for fastpitch is a BAD IDEA! You will also need to figure out what size glove your daughter needs as they range from @ 32-35".

If you buy a new glove you will probably need to help her break it in. Every time one of our catchers gets a new glove, I get the job of breaking it in since my DD is a pitcher and I end up catching 500+ balls/week during her practices and warm ups.

 

[chapelhillbilly]

Yes I would love an already broke in mitt. I will check out ebay. Have any suggestions on brands?

 

[marriard]

Yes I would love an already broke in mitt. I will check out ebay. Have any suggestions on brands?

Mizuno's - GX93 is a fantastic glove (it catches EVERYTHING) and so are most of their models. You can even their higher end models for sub $100 from places like SoftballSavings and BallGloveWarehouse.

 

[Amy in AZ.]

I have one for sale. It is a Worth Advanced and is white and navy. It is 80% broken in. I need $70.00 for it and that it total. Amy

 

[JAD]

The brand depends on how much money you want to spend. If you knew your daughter was going to stick with it and catch for several years, I would recommend a Nokona, but they are expensive ($200+), especially if this is still an 'experiment' for your DD. For short term use I think any major brand glove would work.

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

 

[guero_gordo]

Well within that range is the Worth D1, which I really like, but she really has to try them all.

A hand-me-down from a local HS or TB kid while you break in a new one is a pretty sweet deal if you can work it.

 

[redhotcoach]

Mizuno's - GX93 is a fantastic glove (it catches EVERYTHING) and so are most of their models. You can even their higher end models for sub $100 from places like SoftballSavings and BallGloveWarehouse.

Dido. This is a popular glove with the girls. Large pocket that the ball doesn't fall out of.

I would recommend checking some gloves out in person, some brand to brand they fit WAY differently. Some 32 inch are good, some 32 inch are tiny.

 

[guero_gordo]

If I understood OP's question correctly, the one brand I would tend NOT to recommend for a USED glove would be Mizuno.
The gxs5x's and gxs9x's are game-ready lines, and by the time the original owner parts with one, it's usually a floppy mess.

 

[Perfect Circle]

I just bought my experimental catcher a $10 padded catchers glove insert. She puts it on then into her fielding glove. She put a mitt on once, and said noway... She will never play, without the old SSK