Catcher's Gloves

The biggest difference is the ball. A fastpitch catcher’s mitt has a larger, deeper pocket sized for the 12" softball, and is often built with a smaller hand opening for a snugger fit. A baseball catcher’s mitt has a shallower pocket made for the smaller baseball, so a softball is more likely to pop out.

Catcher’s mitts are measured by circumference. Most high school, college and adult fastpitch catchers use a 33" to 34" mitt, with 34" being the most common choice. Younger catchers usually do best between 31.5" and 32.5", and can browse our youth fastpitch catcher’s mitts. See our catcher’s mitt size chart for details.

A 34" mitt gives a bigger target and more room to secure pitches with lots of movement, like rise balls and drop balls. A 33" mitt is a bit lighter and easier to control, which helps with quick transfers when throwing out base stealers. If you have smaller hands or you’re moving up from youth sizes, 33" or 33.5" is often the better fit.

For younger pitchers, a regular fielding glove can work. But as her speed and spin increase, a fastpitch catcher’s mitt makes a big difference: it protects your hand, gives her a clear target and helps you catch rise and drop balls more consistently. Many dads with bigger hands choose a 34" mitt for the extra room.

Catcher’s mitts are the stiffest gloves on the field because of their heavy padding, so they take the longest to break in. Focus on shaping the mitt so it closes between the thumb and pinky, and catch as many pitches as possible. Our Mitt Master glove break-in service can get your mitt game-ready much faster, and our glove break-in products and glove care products help soften and protect the leather.

Yes. Several brands offer catcher’s mitts designed with top fastpitch catchers, like the Easton Jen Schroeder signature series and Wilson A2000 game models. These patterns are built from the preferences of elite catchers and are popular with competitive players.

Competitive and elite catchers often choose premium series like the Wilson A2000 and A1000, Rawlings Heart of the Hide and Liberty Advanced, Easton Pro Collection and Ghost, Mizuno MVP Prime and Franchise, or Marucci Ascension and Oxbow. Players just starting at the position can look at series like the Easton Fundamental, Rawlings R9, Mizuno Prospect Select or All Star fastpitch mitts.