So, has anybody ever used the Praying Mantis. They make a great description, but the pocket looks very weird. It looks like it can slow down release. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

Also, how do Mizuno's gloves (their good stuff, ones that cost around $200) compare to Rawlings HOH?

Thanks for all your help...

I got the apm 41 series kip leather akedema catcher glove. It takes the stress off the thumb, look at the stitching on the mitt in thumb area, this is the reason it probably looks weird, do to the way its made and the stress wedge is nice, keeps the sting down. I like the pocket, it seems big, but it feels as if I am able to get the ball out faster and hold balls better. It would be my guess that this will be a good knuckle ball glove.

Finally got it game ready after breaking it in on and off for the last 8 months. The more I use it the more advantages I feel I have compared to the old pan cake I am using now. Of course I really don't know yet the minuses to the glove. But so far so good. I do find since it is a big pocket that the balls that use to hit the out side of my mitt and bounce off now bounce in the pocket. Or should I say I have the feeling of the ball rattling going into the mitt, which is a good thing.

Hope this helps,

drill


PS be ready to break in any catcher’s mitt you get. Don't think you can buy it now and be game ready in a month.

Below is a discription ---------------------------------------------
APM-B41 The APM-B41 Reptilian Praying Mantis catcher's mitt has a 33" circumference pattern, with a spiral-lock web, open back and deep pocket. Best for ages 13 through High School.

What Coach John Peter says about the APM-B41: This is the Kip Leather Version of my favorite catchers mitt; the Professional Series APM-B40, an awesome piece of pro leather! The Kip Version is 20% lighter, tighter grained, offers an easier break-in and may have more tensile strength.

I really like the APM42 which is a mid-size glove. The bigger Akademas have pockets that are a little too big/deep for my taste. The APM42 works perfect for us.

http://www.hitrunscore.com/apm42-akadema-baseball-catchers-mitt.html

Ditto YHF. Son loves his mantis over the bigger "pancakes." No problem with transfers.

a buddy of mine got an akedema. He liked it at first and didn't have much problem with the transfer but as the glove got older and he used it more and more it began to get soft and turn in to a "pancake." Personally if you are going to spend that much on a glove I am a firm believer in the PUDGE A2000, but that is just my preference.

Ok, I've heard the term pancake before, but just so were on the same page, we are talking about a floppy glove, right?

Now, eventually every glove gets floppy- the better ones last longer though...How long did it take for your buddy's akadema to turn into a pancake?

Newbie question! When you originally get a mitt and its still too cold outside to play catch with it, how many baseballs do you put into the pocket to form the pocket? One or two? then tying up with large rubber bands.

Or is this procedure skipped completely with mitts and they are just physically handled to make them softer. The mitt is a mizuno franchise series in case that helps.

Thanks

[QUOTE]Originally posted by captlid:
Newbie question! When you originally get a mitt and its still too cold outside to play catch with it, how many baseballs do you put into the pocket to form the pocket? One or two? then tying up with large rubber bands.

Or is this procedure skipped completely with mitts and they are just physically handled to make them softer. The mitt is a mizuno franchise series in case that helps.

Thanks





This is call a mitt masher, this helped me break in my mitt while watching tv. But the best way to break it in is catching.


drill

should the mitt be stored with a baseball in it when not in use?

It only took like a couple months for his akedema to get soft. I was once considering buying one as well because I liked the reptilian series infield gloves due to the soft leather. I decided against the catcher's mitt because of his experience and a couple other people I have talked to about akedema.

Considering the breaking in question, IMO the only way to break in a glove is to play catch with it. I think that is the best way because you begin to develop a feel for it as well. The mitt masher is also not a bad idea. I wouldn't put it under the mattress or do rubber bands with a catcher's mitt. They are just too valuable in a game, and I like to get that feel as much as possible.

Thank you, that's what I thought in terms of breakin. Just play catch with it.

My friend has a Vinci pro mitt and he loves it. Any one else have one or heard good things?

I would strongly suggest you check out an All-Star glove. They are well made, light weight and break in easily without becoming floppy. All-Star equipment also is light and fairly economical to buy.
NO.....I do not work for them or make any money from the products......just like them.
The two best gloves I have seen are the Rawlings Pro Preferred and the All Star.