A baseball catcher's glove is a specialized mitt with extra padding for the player who stands in the batter's box and receives pitches from the pitcher. Unlike traditional fielder's gloves, which have a straight pocket and are measured by length, catcher's mitts are measured by circumference and have an oval-shaped pocket. Most catcher's mitts have a variation of a closed web design, but some still use open webs.
Yes, a catcher always needs to use a catcher's mitt as it provides the extra protection necessary for shielding the hand from incoming fastballs.
No, catchers cannot use a regular baseball glove. Catchers in all levels of baseball must wear a catcher's mitt, which is specially designed to protect the hand. Catchers may not wear any other kind of glove, such as a first baseman's mitt or regular fielding glove.
Catcher's mitts lack individual fingers, like mittens, but they have extra padding and a hinged, claw-like shape that helps them funnel fastballs into the pocket and provide a good target for pitchers.
No, a catcher cannot wear a first base glove however first basemen can, should they choose, wear a catcher's mitt. Only catchers and first basemen are permitted to wear a mitt, while all other players must wear a glove.
Although the words ‘glove’ and ‘mitt’ are often used interchangeably and by design, a catcher’s glove and catcher’s mitt are the same thing, there is an important distinction to be made. Like mittens, Catcher's mitts lack individual fingers which is a critical distinction from other baseball gloves which do have fingers.
