A softball catcher’s mitt is the type of a glove which is heavily padded and is used by baseball and softball catchers, as well. The mitts are used by catchers who are positioned in the catching position and never used for any other position. A catcher’s mitt, which is bigger when compared to a standard softball glove, has a large pocket. In addition, it is only meant to be used while catching a ball or receiving throws in order to get a batter out. If you are planning to buy a softball catcher’s mitt, first you should consider is the size that you need. The average measurement for a catcher’s mitt is 32 – 33 inches. Youth mitts usually have smaller wrist openings and finger stalls than the adult softball catcher’s mitt.

The catcher’s mitt should always adjust to one’s hand and fit snug. The next important thing would be the quality of the catcher’s mitt. The same way other types of gloves are made out of various types of materials, hence the catcher’s gloves work out the best if it is made out of full leather. Commonly, the catcher’s mitts, which are made out of soft leather, wear out very fast.

The very next thing will be one to differentiate the features that come with the catcher’s mitt. Always remember that catcher’s mitt should feature very thick padding along the palm. In the case of softball, usually the softball catcher’s mitt comes with lesser padding and a larger pocket for the larger ball. Some especially made models of softball catcher’s mitts use different new technologies in order to protect your hand better and improve catching, as well.

While choosing a catcher’s mitt, it is also important to know that the padding must not interfere with the catching ability. The price of a softball catcher’s mitt is higher than other normal gloves. One can either purchase a softball catcher’s mitt online or buy at a retail store where one gets the advantage of trying the mitt on.

However, there is a big difference between gloves and mitts; gloves have fingers and mitts don’t. It is important to stress that the first base and catcher are only positions which use mitts.

Another big temptation when choosing a youth glove is not to buy too “large” glove. There are many people who think that “he/she will grow into it”. Get the right size and avoid needless pain.

First base mitts which are especially made for softball have measurements between 12 and 13 inches. They are usually have a thin but stiff pad that runs around the circumference of the mitt with little or no padding in the palm or finger area. For youth players they are made from 11 to 11.5 inches.

Furthermore, catcher’s mitts have a thick around the circumference of the mitt with thick padding in the finger area and less padding in the palm area. Above all, the modern catcher’s glove being more flexible and evolving towards a first base mitt look alike as the quickness of the ball to hand transfer for a catcher is critical.

You can have your mitts with open and closed webs. Open web is the choice of middle infielders, first baseman and some outfielders. It helps them to get the ball out of the glove faster. Therefore, closed web is the choice of pitchers, third base and most outfielders. They like the additional support that a closed web provides.

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Ripley