Rawlings Gold Glove 34”

Weight.  If he's stronger it won't be a big problem.   Consider models with "hypershell" synthetic leather backs for reduced weight.   Heavy gloves are harder to beat the ball to the spot, but tend to last longer.   Son loves HOH pattern and leather.

Like a shortstop, a catcher's glove should be as small as needed to get the job done (receiving, framing, blocking) so that the transfer on throws can be quick and efficient.  If the glove is too big the ball can swim around in there and take extra time to get a grip on the ball.  Perhaps he's got a friend or coach with a larger size he can try out to make sure he's comfortable with it.

2 comments on catchers gloves:

1) As big as they can handle. For 2021 that is 33 inch, but 34 inch would be preferred according to several coaches

2) Have a back up mitt!!! 2021 was given that advice by college coach, and (you might not believe it) that very same game in a showcase his web blew out and he had no spare! Ball went straight to backstop! Has happened a couple more times with faster/better pitching. He keeps 3 mitts in his bag now, and I’ve gotten better at re-lacing pockets!

Thanks LA21P. My son actually has 2 of the exact same 32.5 HoH. One is a bullpen glove while he breaks it in and the other is his gamer. He’s had a lace pop as well and he was able to finish the inning with the newer glove. I pulled out my trusty Wilson repair kit and was able to put in a new lace before they went back out to the field.

You mentioned your son can’t handle the 34 and uses a 33. What does he do with the 33 that is tougher with the 34?

2021 is 6’ 175#. Purely a matter of preference. He hasn’t transitioned to a 34 inch mostly because of strength and no coaches have asked him directly to change. Still swings a 33 inch bat too!

I’ve heard a smaller (smallest) glove is best for showcases for pop times. But framing and blocking are most important for games, and in that case bigger is better.

Ended up going with an All-Star Pro Elite 33.5. That thing will take forever to break in.

All-Star Pro Elite 33.5 is a great glove - so is Wilson A2k and others.  My 2020 son was told going in to college ball that as a catcher he should have a gamer, a backup glove and a glove that he is working in so that he always has a glove he is confident in using.  With amount of catching  in college with bullpen work, practice, scrimmages and games my son had laces break quite frequently.   (FYI, son is 6'-3", 220, but prefers 33.5" size glove.)

My son has a Rawlings 32.5 Salvi model that has been his gamer for a few years. He has the same exact glove that he's been using as a backup. Something is different with the newer one though and a lot of balls pop out. So we went with the All-Star to try it out. I would have liked to stick with Rawlings but they have zero inventory right now. 

I just went up to 2021s room. His “good” mitts are in his there—a mentor told him to keep gloves in air conditioned room—he blows out a lot of laces and attributes it to weather/heat/dry air. 3 identical 33 inch mitts as recommended above, plus position gloves. Through high school the average mitt replace seemed to be about 1 year to maintain break in, gamer and back up mitts. I have become adept at re-lacing pockets—will probably miss it once he is out of the house for good!

@Los Angeles 2021 Parent posted:

I just went up to 2021s room. His “good” mitts are in his there—a mentor told him to keep gloves in air conditioned room—he blows out a lot of laces and attributes it to weather/heat/dry air. 3 identical 33 inch mitts as recommended above, plus position gloves. Through high school the average mitt replace the seemed to be about 1 year to maintain break in, gamer and back up mitts. I have become adept at re-lacing pockets—will probably miss it once he is out of the house for good!

I started keeping a lacing kit with me for games and tournaments. A few times watching the game ahead of ours I’ll see a catcher lose a lace. Parents probably think I’m a whacko when I’m able to fix it while their team is hitting. Now if the catcher is on the other team he’s on his own...