When my son catches for older kids throwing heat he often experiences pain at the base of his left thumb, like it sort of pops out of place.

It usually goes away in a minute or so but sometimes it takes longer. Worse case was last spring, had to take him out of a game.

Is this common for catchers? If so would a squeeze ball or grips help?

He needs to strengthen his hand and fingers to begin with

It is also possible that he has his hand improperly placed in the glove thus casuing the discomfort or the glove is not broken in properly

TRhit

Tell him to get used to it or change positions.

The fastball down and in can be a difficult pitch to handle. When he rotates the thumb down and to the left from the normal "target" position to catch the down and in pitch(right handed batter) it will get beat up.

???

coach, my catcher catches mid/hi 90's to 101, and your prob is not uncommon -

#1 - don't expect long life from a catcher's glove as pitching gets better - and don't try to get extra life without some maintanence/rebuilding

get the best glove you can, and/or add support internally in the thumb area of the one you have (it's not a wilson pudge is it? they'll kill ya with floppy thumbs/no support) see "Gloveman" on this site for recommendation

**that support can be fashioned by a casting plastic known as "orthoprene" around the thumb, or modified internally by taking apart the glove, even new ones!

don't let your catcher catch "new pitchers" at game speed till he gets accustomed to their fb's movement in the bullpen (bad news at showcases)

if the pitcher throws a 2 seam & 4 seam fb, the catcher has to know which is coming


good luck



lefties? - - - they just aint right!

This fall we he got a TPX mitt, not very expensive but had the thickest thumb pad we could find. Maybe it is now broken in to the point that its losing support.

He is also somewhat double jointed which probably doesn't help.

Thanks for the tips.

Bee gives good advice. My son used the thermal orthoprene during his senior year in high school and during his freshman year of college. He also uses the rice bucket to strengthen the hand. He hasn't used the "hard thumb" this year but does wear a standard batting glove under his mitt.
Best of luck,
Fungo

Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.