This article explains the various catcher's mitt sizes made today and discusses typical characteristics - like age ranges - for each of these sizes.
Keep reading for more info!
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Catcher's Mitt Sizes
You're probably wondering what size catcher's mitt to use.
It's a good question. Catcher's mitts can be a decent sized investment and you want to get it right.
After all, if you're a catcher, then you're signing up for a job that requires you to put your hand in front of baseballs or softballs coming at you super fast. And then do this over and over again.
It wouldn't be wise to be a catcher without having a thick piece of leather on your hand to help blunt the impact of the ball.
But it's more than a piece of protective equipment - it's a tool that helps you control the game. It's the single most important piece of gear in a catcher's arsenal.
What this article does is detail the different catchers mitt sizes that exist and provide helpful guidelines about the general characteristics of each size.
How Catchers Mitts are Sized
Baseball and Softball gloves at every position (other than catcher) are sized in inches based on length from the bottom of the heel to the top.
Catchers mitts are different. They are based on circumference, not length.
So if you see a 33 inch catchers mitt, for example, the 33 inches refer to the mitt's circumference.
How to Measure for a Catchers Mitt
There's not a specific way to measure a hand to fit a catcher's mitt.
The main guideline we teach is that catchers should use the size mitt that feels the best on their hand and which they're most comfortable with.
Still, there are some key tips to know about measuring your hand for a catcher's mitt. In fact, we wrote an entire article about measuring for catchers gear if you're interested in learning more.
Common Catchers Mitt Sizes on the Market
There are a few common sizes of catchers mitts sold on the market.
We'll now walk through each of these sizes.
Read on to learn more.
Sizes for Baseball
Catchers Mitts Less Than 31 Inches
Baseball catchers mitts sized less than 31 inches are not very common, but they do exist.
Most are made exclusively for very young catchers just getting started in the game.
In addition, an entirely different category of catchers mitts known as training mitts do exist in the 27 to 30 inch ranges. They are outside the scope of this article and if you're interested in learning more about them check out our detailed article on catchers training mitts.
Typical Age Range: 5 - 7 year olds
Top Product in this Category: Shoeless Joe, Joe Junior Series. It's made of high quality leather with extra palm padding. Plus, it has that classic old timey look.
31 and 31.5 Inch Catcher's Mitts
Mitts in this size range are typically still made for youth catchers. Also, the 31.5 inch variety tends to be more popular in the marketplace than 31 inch.
Typical Age Range: 7 - 9 year olds
Top Product in this Category: All Star CM1011. This has real leather in the palm, it's relatively easy to open and close, and it comes from one of the top catcher's gear brands around.
32 and 32.5 Inch Catcher's Mitts
The 32 and 32.5 inch size ranges are interesting. Some at this size are made for adult catchers playing at a very competitive level, and others are manufactured for youth catchers.
When searching for mitts at this size, make sure you closely look at the product details to determine if it’s for youth or adults.
Typical Age Range: Depends. Adult mitts around 12 and up, and youth mitts from 7 - 12.
Top Product in this Category: For youth, we suggest the Rawlings R9. For adults, the All Star CM3000XSBT.
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33 and 33.5 Inch Catcher's Mitts
Catcher’s mitts sized at 33 inches and up are made exclusively for adult catchers. These are the most common sizes of adult catchers gloves that you’ll find on the market.
In short, the vast majority of adult catchers use 33 and 33.5 inch mitts.
Typical Age Range: 12 and up
Top Product in this Category: Wilson A2000. It’s our choice for the best baseball mitt available.
34 and 35 Inch Catcher's Mitts
The largest sized baseball catchers mitt are 34 and 35 inches. Mitts this size provide the largest coverage area, target, and the largest pocket.
Additionally, if you catch a pitcher that throws a knuckleball, then a mitt this size could be the way to go.
Of note, knuckleball mitts can be as large as 38 inches, though that size is incredibly difficult to find for the general public.
Typical Age Range: 16 and up
Top Product in this Category: All Star Pro-Elite Series. Each is hand made and uses premium Japanese kip leather.
Sizes for Fastpitch Softball
32.5 Inch Fastpitch Catcher's Mitt
Most 32.5 inch fastpitch gloves are designed for youth catchers. It's a good size for many, especially those just starting out and playing at lower fastpitch levels.
Keep in mind that some 32.5 inch varieties are made for adults, such as those built by Nokona. Always pay close attention to the product details to confirm whether it's for youth or adults.
Typical Age Range: Depends. Adult mitts around 12 and up, and youth mitts from 7 - 12.
Top Product in this Category: Nokona Alpha Select+ SV2. It is expensive, but this mitt is packed with premium materials and should last a long time.
33 Inch Fastpitch Catcher's Mitt
Fastpitch mitts that are 33 inches are pretty common for intermediate and advanced catchers. You will find older/advanced youth aged catchers all the way up to adults using this size.
Typical Age Range: 16 and up
Top Product in this Category: Rawlings Liberty Advanced. It's a high quality mitt that will work well for most catchers without breaking the bank.
34 Inch Fastpitch Catcher's Mitt
The most common adult fastpitch softball catcher's mitts are 34 inches. You will find a variety of premium 34 inch mitts made by famous brands on the marketplace.
Typical Age Range: 16 and up
Top Product in this Category: Wilson A2000. It's our top choice for fastpitch catchers and is used by some of the best in the game today.
Catchers Mitt Size Chart
We created a simple size chart for baseball and fastpitch softball catchers mitts based on the guidelines we covered above.
Hopefully this can be a helpful quick reference for people needing to get up to speed on general age ranges and mitt sizes.
Check it out below.
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Scott Perry
Scott Perry is the owner and lead author at Catchers Home. He's a former baseball player, a current coach, a husband and a Dad. He remains as passionate about baseball today as he was as a kid.
