Catchers Mitts Causing Injury?

Good stuff P9.

Gun experienced his first thumb injury last summer, it took several weeks to feel OK, several months to feel normal. He uses a custom Rawlings Pro-Preferred 34" PROSCM41B. Of all the gloves used in the past - GloveSmith, TPX, Easton, All-Star, Rawlings... he really likes his 34.

He also uses an EVO thumb guard. We made one at home with thermoplastic material, works well and it was a fun to do, but he really likes the EvoShield better.

GED10DaD

I still remeber the days of the purple hand from 30 years ago. I used to wet a sponge, wring all the water out, and use that between my palm and the glove. My son does not even use a batting glove. Howver, he has not caught anyone over 90 yet. He had the thumb issue as well from foul tips when he used the 33"A2K. Has not had any since moving to the Allstar cm3000bt 34". He also uses the evoshiled when he can find it.

My son uses the All Star cm3000sbt and "the Catcher's Thumb" Thermoplastic thumb guard.
No more sore hand or thumb.

I would suggest, as well, that there is proper way to catch a ball that helps to minimize the pounding. If you have not had a minor league catcher spend time with your up and comer you would be well advised to find one and pay for a lesson on proper receiving technique.

My son uses the Akadema APM40 and has not had any issues with sore hands or fingers. Even sold some of the older age kids in the same baseball club on the glove when they borrowed it during winter workouts.

RedSoxFan21,

Would love to hear the proper way to keep a foul tip off the thumb once or twice a year (joke). Anyone who has ever caught knows that sometimes to properly frame certain pitches or locations, you may have to take it in an undesireable spot in the glove.

HV, sorry to raise the cynic in you. The key word in your quote is "sometimes". Sometimes anything can happen. No harm in learning the proper routine for all the other times.

Alright, you can go away now. We didn't need you spamming our board. Each of your posts has been reported...

My almost 14 YO son has been catching for a 15u team with some hard throwers. One who worked in the mid-to-upper 70s (well, that is pretty fast for a 13 YO to catch). He wore out his Akadema after 2 years of constant use and is now using an A2K 33". He seems to like it fine, but I think he prefers the AK. He's had no thumb issues at all, but he works hard to catch properly and in the pocket as much as possible. He might try a protective glove or an evoshield at some point.

Hey I'm sorry you thought I was spamming.  I understand this topic very well and love the game to the fullest.  I played this position for over 20 years.  I have trained many catchers over the years.  The one thing I can say is that a catcher can catch the ball perfect with great form every time and still that foul tip ball can make a world of pain for him or her in the blink of an eye.  I have made many hard thumbs over the years for myself and for others by using thermoplastic.  Thermoplastic molding worked but they take time to mold and they can change shape if they are exposed to excessive heat such as a hot car.  I went ahead and had my product manufactured because I knew there was a need there for catchers of all ages. If you would like to check out my website and if there are any questions my contact information is on the site. 

I teach catchers to receive the pitch with the heal of hand/ mitt down. Pulling the elbow inward and behind the heal provides the correct position to receive the pitch.  Should the batter foul off the pitch, the foul ball will not hit the thumb directly downward, or perhaps at all... so the pain and injury is greatly reduced.

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I agree 100% catching the ball correct reduces the chances of injury.  Getting thumbed still can happen no matter how good you are as you can see in the video.  I feel if he would have taken preventative measures he wouldn't have gotten injured.

My point is...  the catching hand thumb positioning can reduce injury.  Instead of the thumb being pointed downward, it is pointed upward and slightly to the right. This positioning somewhat reduces the exposure, BUT, more importantly, when the thumb  does get hit, the impact is glancing sideways, not full impact down.  

 

Thumb protectors/ shields can help... although I never found it that useful.