Short answer: catchers use a mitt, not a glove. It’s built specifically for the job of squatting behind the plate and taking pitch after pitch off the palm.
First basemen also use a mitt, but it’s a different animal from a catcher’s mitt. I break down exactly how the two compare, along with every other position’s gear, in my baseball mitt vs glove breakdown.
Now that the quick answer is out of the way, let’s get into the why. Only catchers and first basemen are allowed to wear mitts. If you’re playing any other position, you can’t wear one even if you want to. It’s against the rules.
That’s not just a technicality, either. A mitt gives a catcher real advantages a glove can’t match. Beyond being a rule, there are practical benefits to wearing a mitt over a glove when you’re crouched behind home plate all game.
That said, a mitt isn’t always necessary. Tee ball leaguers don’t need a catcher’s mitt. A regular glove works fine at that level.
The same goes for a casual family and friends weekend of slow pitch softball. Nobody’s checking your gear at a backyard game.
So why do catchers use a mitt once things get serious? What do you actually get from it, and what do you lose if you try to catch without one? Let’s get into it.
What Is the Difference Between a Mitt and a Glove?
Primary difference:
Gloves have separated fingers. Mitts don’t. That’s the core distinction. Beyond that one detail, mitts are naturally bigger than gloves. The largest fielding gloves belong to outfielders, and even those top out around 12 to 13.5 inches, measured by length.
A catcher’s mitt is measured differently, by circumference instead of length, which trips a lot of new catchers up. Adult catcher’s mitts typically run somewhere around 32 to 34.5 inches in circumference, while youth mitts usually land closer to 29.5 to 31 inches. MLB’s official rulebook (Rule 3.04) actually caps the legal maximum at 38 inches in circumference and 15.5 inches from top to bottom, but nothing sold at retail even comes close to that ceiling. It’s there to stop someone from strapping on a giant target, not to describe what a normal mitt looks like. For the full comparison across every position, my mitt vs glove breakdown lays out the size chart position by position.
The webbing is different too. Most infielders and outfielders prefer an open H-web or I-web for better visibility tracking the ball. Catchers almost always go with a closed, one-piece web instead. A closed web hides the pitch location from batters and base runners, and it also helps trap the ball the instant it hits leather.
And finally, the padding is different. Mitts carry more padding than gloves because catchers absorb more impacts per game than any other player on the field. They need that extra cushion to:
A) scoop groundballs and short hops quickly
B) pocket fly balls with confidence
C) keep their hand safe from a full game of fastball impacts
That’s just the preliminary rundown, though. If you’re shopping for a top shelf catcher’s mitt to take your game up a notch, you need to think past size, webbing, and padding.
Do Catchers Have to Use a Catcher’s Mitt?
Yes. Outside of slow pitch softball and tee ball, every catcher, fastpitch and baseball alike, needs to wear a mitt. Catchers also need a distinct style of mitt compared to what a first baseman wears.
Mitts lack separated fingers, like a mitten, which is exactly where the nickname comes from. That closed design is great at controlling balls that don’t land perfectly in the pocket. Because there are no individual finger slots, a catcher’s mitt makes it easier to scoop up ground balls and short hops bouncing in low off the dirt.
Compared to first base mitts, a catcher’s mitt needs to run bigger because catchers occasionally have to handle knuckleballs, a pitch thrown to kill spin on the ball in flight. The motion and break on a knuckleball is largely unpredictable, which is exactly why most catchers work with a bigger mitt than a first baseman does.
Catcher’s mitts also come with extra protective padding that a first base mitt doesn’t need. The overall shape resembles a crab’s claw, and that claw shape helps a catcher funnel a fastball straight into the pocket.
Do Catchers Under 12 Years Need Mitts?
There’s a lot of confusion around whether a 12 year old needs a mitt. I hear this constantly from parents when they’re shopping for equipment. The truth is, it’s not really necessary for a player under 12 to wear a catcher’s mitt. They can play the position with a glove just fine.
The general rule requiring mitts really only applies to senior players, usually those over 12. Younger players are exempt. Kids from 5 to 12 years old often play multiple positions with the same general purpose glove.
That’s why those gloves are built for general use, letting a young player rotate through positions without buying new gear every season. Still, even kids from 5 to 12 can choose to use a mitt at catcher or first base if they want to. There’s no rule stopping them.
I still recommend my youth players get a youth catcher’s mitt early. The sooner you get used to how a mitt handles compared to a glove, the better you’ll perform once the rule kicks in for good. If you check out some drills for 12 year olds, you’ll see what I mean about building that comfort early.
Do Catchers Wear Gloves Under Their Mitts?
Catcher’s mitts come with finger edge padding built in. Switch over to a first base mitt and the story changes. The padding is noticeably lighter, and there’s basically no padding around the finger area at all.
That extra padding on a catcher’s mitt exists to protect your hand. Catchers are prone to sore palms and hand injuries from taking constant fastball impact. That’s why some, not all, catchers wear a thin glove under their mitt for an extra layer of protection.
You can do the same thing if your mitt’s padding isn’t cutting it. Get a feel for your mitt first, though. See if fastball impact is still causing discomfort after a few sessions before you add a second layer. If it is, wearing a glove underneath is a reasonable fix, but you’ll need to get used to handling two pieces of gear at once, or your performance behind the plate will actually suffer.
One more thing worth knowing: the thick padding on a catcher’s mitt is visible from the mound. A catcher spends a lot of the game directing the pitcher, showing target and location. That visible target makes it easier for the pitcher to read the signal and adjust the next pitch.
First base mitts, on the other hand, run thinner and lighter than a catcher’s mitt. They end up feeling more like an extension of your hand since they skip the finger edge padding entirely. Some first basemen still like extra protection, so they’ll wear a thin batting glove underneath to soften the impact.
A Quick Recommendation for Catchers
I’ve spent a lot of time around softball and baseball, both as a player and now as a coach, and I’ve gotten pretty good at steering people toward good quality catcher’s mitts and gloves. If everything above has you thinking about your own gear, here are a couple of picks worth a look.
Wilson A2000 Fastpitch Catchers Mitt
When you’re shopping for gloves or mitts, Wilson has probably come up more than once. I fell in love with the brand during my junior playing years, and I still reach for it as a coach because of the design, comfort, and durability.
This glove series was designed by Shigeaki Aso, one of the most experienced glove and mitt designers in the game, with over 40 years in the craft. He knew exactly what players needed out of a mitt.
This mitt runs a bit pricier than a lot of other catcher’s mitts on the market. That higher price tag is part of why it’s a top contender for the best fastpitch catcher’s mitt you can buy.
You get what you pay for here. When it comes to catcher’s mitts, spending a little more up front is usually worth it in my experience.
Wilson built its reputation on high quality gloves and mitts for serious players, and this A2000 SuperSkin fastpitch catcher’s mitt is no exception. It’s designed for players who are serious about pursuing the game further.
SuperSkin is a microfiber material that weighs about half of what Pro Stock leather does while holding up to roughly twice the wear. It’s moisture resistant, so it lasts longer and cleans up easier than standard leather. It also holds up well in hot, humid conditions and breaks in faster than older Wilson leather.
Another nice touch is the flat finger binding option. If you like playing with one finger outside the mitt, this gives you more comfort and control by shortening the distance between your finger and the back of the mitt.
It also comes with Wilson’s Custom Fit System, which speeds up break in time and gives you a snug fit without wrinkling. The price is high, but the performance, quality, and durability make up for it over a full season.
Rawlings Player Preferred Catchers’ Mitts
Rawlings has built a strong reputation making gloves and mitts for over a century. That much history gives them plenty of experience creating gear you can actually rely on.
If you’re on a tight budget but still want a solid mitt, Rawlings is worth a look. This is the best value pick for a beginner, and even pro players sometimes keep a Player Preferred mitt around as a backup.
Compared to the Wilson A2000, the Player Preferred doesn’t take nearly as long to break in. The leather isn’t as thick or premium as the A2000, so there’s an upside (fast break in) and a downside (less padding) to that tradeoff.
One real strength of this mitt is the pocket. It’s roomy enough to help you secure the ball without much extra effort, and there’s less chance of the ball popping right back out.
A lot of budget mitts don’t leave enough room for your thumb and pinky. This one does. I’ve tried it myself and never felt pressure or discomfort in either spot.
That said, the Player Preferred is a casual mitt. Don’t expect elite level performance out of something built for weekend players. I call it the king of utility mitts for a reason. The Player Preferred line covers nearly every position and size, which makes it a solid pick for budget minded buyers outfitting a whole team.
With All Said and Done
Playing catcher or first base is genuinely one of the tougher jobs on the field. After reading through this, I hope it’s clear why catchers and first basemen wear mitts instead of gloves.
I’ve watched plenty of games get flipped by a great performance from the catcher or first baseman alone.
People get confused all the time about which mitt or glove is right for them, and honestly, there’s no single correct answer. It’s not black and white. A great catcher’s mitt on paper can still feel wrong on your hand. So learn how to size your fastpitch glove properly and make sure whatever you buy actually fits your hand and your playing style.
Buying quality, comfortable gear isn’t enough on its own to make you a great player. You still need to put in real time behind the plate to become a great catcher or fielder.
I’m not saying equipment doesn’t matter. It does. But practicing with the wrong equipment can do real damage, especially early in your career. Mistakes you pick up young have a way of sticking with you.
So put in the reps with the right mitt for you, and let your game speak for itself. Cheers.
With 4 years of Division II experience, a .272 career batting average, .410 on-base percentage, and 7 home runs, I’m now in my fifth season. I’ve played baseball since age 3, alongside future MLB Draft picks, and I aim to pursue a career in baseball professionally, be it playing, coaching, or scouting.