Catchers Mitt for Dad

[trademark]

I'm sure I am not the only one out there in this situation:
My son is getting to the point that it is getting tuffer to catch him. In fact, this spring, we were just doing some pitching working on his wind-up at about 70% and I gotta say my hand paid the price.
So I've decided it might be time to find a good catchers mitt.
My son also catches and I'd just use his mitt, but I'm left handed.
So I am just looking for a few suggestions from posters.
Sorry if this has been brought up before.

[Megunticook]

So I've decided it might be time to find a good catchers mitt.

If money were no object, I would get a Nokona (http://www.nokona.com/baseball-blood...p?id=71&cid=17). Cost you at least a couple of bills, though. As far as I know these are the only gloves still made in the U.S.

Otherwise I would check out the Rawlings line. A lot of people swear by their Heart of the Hide catcher's glove, but again that's pricey. Probably best advice is to go to a store with a good selection and try stuff on.

I'm in the same boat this year--would love a Nokona but discretionary money is not that flush these days.

[d-mac]

I have an Easton Natural Elite that I like that I picked up for about $60. The hand opening is kind of small, which fits me well because I have skinny fingers. Another dad has a Nike air catchers mitt that he likes, but I don't care for it. I think a lot of it is going to personal choice.

[The Uncoach]

Closeoutbats.com has a few catchers mitts on closeout right now that are lefties well below $100, if price matters.

http://www.softball-bats.org/rawlings-player-preferred-rcm30t.html

[shake-n-bake]

I got all the gear to go along with the glove. Took a ball off of turf in the shin and then less than a week later one in the ankle. Made the decision an easy one. He said that he prefers pitching to someone in full gear. Thinks he throws more like he would in a game, so I wear the chest protector, helmet, and mask.....and the cup!

If you're shopping around you can probably find a deal on most catcher's gloves eventually. If you don't want to work that hard or want to walk into Dick's or Big 5 or Sports Authority today, you can get a Champro glove cheap. Very good value. Have had one for 5+ years and it's held up well. I like it. Offered to buy my son a new glove this year if he wanted one and he declined. Said he likes this one just fine.

[tg643]

Don't forget shin guards and cup for dad. I remember at sixteen losing track of a fastball at an indoor facility. I dove out of the way. A few pitches later my son threw a perfect 0-2, 59 1/2 foot curve. I dove out of the way again. I decided 80+ with movement and 50 years old was a dangerous mix.

[shake-n-bake]

Don't forget shin guards and cup for dad. I remember at sixteen losing track of a fastball at an indoor facility. I dove out of the way. A few pitches later my son threw a perfect 0-2, 59 1/2 foot curve. I dove out of the way again. I decided 80+ with movement and 50 years old was a dangerous mix.

Yup. Once the days of being able to sit on a bucket behind the plate are over, do yourself a favor and don't skimp on protection. No fun getting bit.

[JCincy]

I picked up good used equipment from time to time from Play It Again Sports, including a nice catcher's mitt. Left handed stuff is a bit harder to come by though.

Since I don't know when I will be catching or not at a practice, I wear soft shin guards all the time. A cup is also worth the investment and the little bit of discomfort.

[Ursa Major]

If you can afford a Heart of the Hide mitt, they've got really stiff leather in the pocket that helps. Beyond that, a good under glove is a must; either a Palmguard or a Louisville Slugger Cutters C-tack glove are good bets.

Don't forget shin guards and cup for dad. I remember at sixteen losing track of a fastball at an indoor facility. I dove out of the way. A few pitches later my son threw a perfect 0-2, 59 1/2 foot curve. I dove out of the way again. I decided 80+ with movement and 50 years old was a dangerous mix.

Shinguards are a must. I just use my son's old SG's from his 11-12 y/o days. As for the other, I admit that I've neglected to do so, with the lame excuse that my days of contributing to the gene pool are behind me. The problem with the speed increase that comes at age 16+ is that pitches that you think are low and can be caught with the fingers pointing down pick up a little hop and end up richocheting straight up from the heel of the mitt, putting anything from your thighs to your nose at risk.

The other problem with being a Dad/bullpen catcher on the high side of 50 is that you need more light to see (even after my cataract surgery). So, while your youngster may think that there's plenty of light out, trying to pick up the spin of a dirty baseball as dusk approaches can be a real challenge, particularly when that "slider" gets mis-gripped and rather than breaking down into your glove sails up into your left shoulder.

[Newyouthcoach]

As a fellow lefty, Akadema has a great lefty mitt for under $100. Agree with the shin guards.

[shake-n-bake]

I can relate to UM in seeing the ball isn't automatic like it used to be. A clean baseball and plenty of light without the sun in your eyes is a plus.

It's an odd feeling when your kid passes you by in strength and ability - and they know it -- and you know it --- and now it's take it easy on Dad instead of the other way around. I'm at the age where some pride and plenty of Advil allow me to hold my own, but I hope my kid appreciates catching bullpens for him.

I tore my meniscus about 6 weeks ago, so I've been sidelined from catching for him. Going to give it a shot today. The pain's gone. Still have some discomfort and stiffness, but I think this is now the new normal for me. Getting old is a you know what......but, I guess it beats the alternative.

UM ---- you don't have to actually contribute to the gene pool to make good use of that equipment Wear the cup bud. Ouch, talk about ruining your weekend. Dinner, some wine, your girl's feeling like it's prom night, and you're more worried about SGs than protecting your magic johnson?

[Baseball gLove]

I use the bucket by tilting it back to protect the johnson : ) My shins are used take hard shots. My thighs not so much. Wore a bruise that lasted over a month. I found the Field Commander by Glovesmith has made me look like a pro digging the ball out of the dirt. I then ask the catchers why can't they keep the ball in front. I have heard that the Akedema catchers mitt is best for protecting your thumb.

[trademark]

Thanks for responding all...
I’m in my mid 40’s, but my eyes have worsened over the past year or so. My eyes were never really good to begin with. Vision in my left eye has always been poor, but I’ve got great vision in my right eye, so consequently my depth perception has never been very good. As a result I’ve never been a good baseball player.
I love to play ball, but it’s just not safe for me. I’ve been able to catch my son up to this point, but now things are catching up with me. I’m glad he’s progressing, but it also sucks to basically be disabled visually.
I was going to look at mitts and catchers masks. Didn’t really think I would go as far as getting shin guards, but maybe I will.
I am thinking I will look for a catcher’s mitt with a larger pocket. I know they typically make mitts with smaller pockets for quicker transition for pick-off plays. Do they make nice ‘bullpen’ warm-up gloves?
Do any of you out there who use a catcher’s mask where prescription glasses? I was at out local baseball facility and none seemed to really be practical with glasses.

[Jake Patterson]

Thanks for responding all...
I’m in my mid 40’s, but my eyes have worsened over the past year or so. My eyes were never really good to begin with. Vision in my left eye has always been poor, but I’ve got great vision in my right eye, so consequently my depth perception has never been very good. As a result I’ve never been a good baseball player.
I love to play ball, but it’s just not safe for me. I’ve been able to catch my son up to this point, but now things are catching up with me. I’m glad he’s progressing, but it also sucks to basically be disabled visually.
I was going to look at mitts and catchers masks. Didn’t really think I would go as far as getting shin guards, but maybe I will.
I am thinking I will look for a catcher’s mitt with a larger pocket. I know they typically make mitts with smaller pockets for quicker transition for pick-off plays. Do they make nice ‘bullpen’ warm-up gloves?
Do any of you out there who use a catcher’s mask where prescription glasses? I was at out local baseball facility and none seemed to really be practical with glasses.

Trade by the time my son reached HS I could no longer safely catch him or the other HS pitchers.... You might want to try the following and a bucket of balls. Some come with a cut out and net for the strike zone.

ZZCatcher's Screen.jpg

[Ursa Major]

Thanks for responding all...
I’m in my mid 40’s, but my eyes have worsened over the past year or so. My eyes were never really good to begin with. Vision in my left eye has always been poor, but I’ve got great vision in my right eye, so consequently my depth perception has never been very good. As a result I’ve never been a good baseball player.
I love to play ball, but it’s just not safe for me. I’ve been able to catch my son up to this point, but now things are catching up with me. I’m glad he’s progressing, but it also sucks to basically be disabled visually.

Trade, this goes beyond your original question, but you perhaps needn't accept the deterioration in your vision. I was in the same boat two years ago when my S was 15 and I couldn't play long toss with him because I couldn't see the ball leave his hand and the ball would be on me before I knew it. Fortunately, my optometrist told me that he'd done everything for me that corrective lenses could do, but I had cataracts and needed to get them fixed if I wanted to continue to play catch or even to drive safely. Obviously, I don't know your medical situation, but for me the cataract surgery was a godsend, and I've bought myself two more years of catching my son (not to mention making the pedestrians in my little burg a lot safer).

I was going to look at mitts and catchers masks. Didn’t really think I would go as far as getting shin guards, but maybe I will.

Actually, I hardly ever use a mask (no risk of foul tips) or a chest protector, but always use shinguards. They're going to get a lot more action, as they're closer to where the ball will usually bounce. I probably will start using a mask soon, as I can tell that UMinor is afraid to pitch to me at the bottom of the zone, for fear of bouncing one into my face. That's not fair to him -- he should be able to throw to me with the same aggressiveness as he would to a teammate. And sometimes we just have him throw into a target net (like what Jake displayed) so that he can just cut loose.

Do any of you out there who use a catcher’s mask where prescription glasses? I was at out local baseball facility and none seemed to really be practical with glasses.

Back when I wore glasses, I found that a hockey-style mask worked better than did an old cage mask.