Ever since it was introduced to the wider populace of the US (and the rest of the world for that matter), baseball asserted itself as a dynamic and versatile pastime that managed to capture the interest of the majority of people it came in contact with! With the game itself, a number of companies were established to make sure that the eager sporty folks playing the game were well stocked-up on equipment as well as fan memorabilia. Since this review is dedicated to baseball mitts, we'll be talking about their design and features so that you may be stocked-up on knowledge ere you actually buy yourself one!
The funny thing about baseball mitts is that they appear to be quite complicated yet simple at the same time. Bottom line, what we're talking about is a glove; but having said that- it's quite an elaborate glove that has
a bajillion little interwoven fibers, as well as
mesh structure, and god knows what else might be lurking in there! Each of these properties makes for a well-organized structure that makes a baseball mitt the right weapon of choice for catching all the flying balls that come your way!
So, the first thing to keep in mind when choosing a brand new baseball glove is to ensure what glove size you need to make it work for you (or your child). This may sound like a simple enough task, but the truth is, you need to take into consideration the breaking-in factor first. It often happens that once you've bought a glove, you feel as though you've gotten yourself the wrong one, because it feels uncomfortable when you try it on. This, however, can be deceiving, as many gloves are made from materials that tend to shrink initially (such as most leather-based models), so instead of shipping the whole lot back to the manufacturer, the entire issue may amount to the model just needing a bit of tweaking here and there.
Another thing worth mentioning about these mitts, that would perhaps be considered a no-brainer, is the orientation of the throwing side, more precisely- whether you're going to be putting the glove on your right hand or your left hand. This can get a little confusing in all fairness, as the manufacturers often cite the throwing hand for the model, rather than the catching one. So, to prevent any inconveniences down the road, make sure to determine which hand is going to do the catching job for you!
Further down on the list of important properties to look for is the question of visuals; that is, what sort of pattern your new catching companion is going to feature. More often than not, in all fairness, the visuals on baseball mitts are simply there for their aesthetic appeal; but sometimes it so happens that players may intentionally get themselves a brightly-colored glove as some believe that flashy colors attract balls! Those cheeky baseballers! Other than that, the softness of the inside of the glove may be a big deal for children, which is why a child's first mitt should be as comfortable as possible, so that their little hands don't get sore after only one match. Optimally, a well-made baseball glove should be both soft and tough, more precisely- soft on the inside (for obvious reasons), and tough on the outside so that you can catch even the fastest balls securely.
That being said, some companies have gone a step further as well, and have come up with a bunch of models that feature specialized improved catching mechanisms that make your life considerably easier in the field. What's great about it is that
it isn't even considered cheating! For those of you in need of
an impact reducing glove of a different nature, namely that designed for manual labor, our TopProducts team has got that topic covered as well. While we're at it, we're no strangers to wonders of the technical world, such as
adjustable wrenches and
angle grinders, so be sure to check those reviews out if you're interested!
Price
When it comes to baseball mitts, pricing is a pretty straightforward business. You look at the materials of choice and who's making it, and you're all set to give an accurate prediction about its price point. However, there are some things to take into consideration before you pinpoint your glove of choice. Namely, some of the sneakier features— such as the presence of any new technology being incorporated in it, or the product's warranty—can be worth thinking about before you've closed the deal. More often than not, products that come with a warranty will be somewhat more expensive, but at the end of the day, we'd say it's smarter to pay a couple of extra bucks to be sure you're covered in case of a malfunction! Also, be wary of purchasing a glove just because it has a low price; if its price tag is cheap, it probably will be too.
Features
Whether you're buying
a new baseball mitt for yourself or for your child, the important features are pretty much the same. However, if the glove is for your child, you might want to make sure that it comes with an extra-soft padding so that your kid can get used to it a bit easier.
The list of important features to pay attention to when buying a baseball mitt:
- Flexing Web
- Size of the Model
- Right Hand or Left Hand Throw
- Material of Choice
- Palm Pads
- How Soft the Lining is
- Visuals
- Warranty
As with pretty much any product, a hefty warranty is something that can be a major asset in the long run, so try to get a model with one!
Construction and Design
Even though a baseball glove may seem like a simple enough piece of equipment, there are still some variations to them that can make you opt for one model over the other! For example, visuals on a glove can be an interesting thing to look into, especially if you're buying the glove for your child (although adults aren't necessarily immune to good-looking gloves either). The presence of a mesh or some sort of other performance-enhancing addition would be another factor to look out for, as a well-made mitt with a lock-design may help you offer your best game on the field!
Performance and Ease of Use
As far as performance of a baseball glove is concerned, there really isn't much to be said. The starting point would be that your glove fits you well and that it doesn't hurt while you're wearing it. Mind you, as we have already mentioned, some models are made from tough materials prone to shrinking, so if you've got one of these on, you shouldn't discard it straight away due to the discomfort, as the poor thing may only need some breaking-in time! Other than that, be sure to read the washing instructions that come with them. Certain models are made out of sensitive materials that don't wash well, so do take that into consideration. So, that’s it folks- our TopProducts team hopes you get yourself a marvelous new mitt on the first try!
With speeding balls flying at your face every second, baseball can be quite an unforgiving game if you enter the field of battle even just a little underequipped! To avoid getting obliterated by the opposition and leaving the game in utter disgrace, get yourself a brand new baseball mitt and dominate the game six ways to Sunday! Consult our top 5 list of the best products to find the optimal one for you!
Whether you're just starting with your career or you already have some experience to work with, improving yourself may come much easier for you with some appropriate gear on your side! Therefore, our team's decided to do some tough Internet research and have come up with a list of the top 5 best catcher's mitts that you can find anywhere on the market! Check it out and find the perfect glove for you. Top brands only at TopProducts!
