Nokona catchers gloves???

default · Feb 13, 2009

Looking to purchase my DD a Nokona catchers glove and wanted to know if anyone uses one and how they like it? Also what model do you buy?
kangaroo?
walnut cowhide?
buffalo?
or the walnut cowhide/buffalo combo?
Thank you for any help or advice!!

default · Feb 13, 2009

I have fallen into the I have to have a Nokona syndrom that is out there for travel ball. I have purchased five of them over the years.

The Kangaroo one breaks in the easiest, but lasted the shortest. The outer layer of leather by the thumb ripped it. It was quite thin.

The cowhide one was tough to break in. One lasted one year and one lasted two years. The bottom of the pocket where the ball hits ripped right along the holes where the strings tie the pocket to the palm area.

the buffalo one is the most expensive and the first one I bought lasted two years and she is on the second one now. Once again the thumb area ripped on the first one.

I have to say though, there are quite a lot of other choices of mitts out there. It is kind of like buying a coach purse for women. Looks nice, pretty good quality, but expensive. More of a status symbol that says I have arrived.

default · Feb 13, 2009

If your little catcher is using an 11" ball, I suggest purchasing an Easton Natural or other child-size cheap mitt. Chances are that if you dd is 10 or under (I am basing this on your member name), her hands will be too small to handle the adult mitt.

Len

default · Feb 13, 2009

You could drive nails with a new Nokona catchers mit,man talk about breakin time.One of the catchers who played with my daughter's team over the winter at spano got one for Christmas from the glove doctor and even after his working his magic with it she could not use it at all because the ball would not stick as it was still way to stiff.There are several very nice mitts out there for half the price(louisville's Valkyrie being one of the best)that are far less work to use and last just as long.

default · Feb 13, 2009

I would buy one off of Ebay... already broke in.

default · Feb 13, 2009

Absolutely a great catchers mitt. We bought the Kangaroo last year. Long break in period, but it will be worth it in the long run. It has taken us 6 months and still not completely broken in. I have heard that Nokona will stand by the quality for years to come.

There are about 6 older girls (16U/18U) that go to Maddogs catching clinics that swear by them - once they are broken in.

Mike from Glove Doctor (Spano Dome next two weekends) sells them and will do a great job of getting them started and then expect a few more months to work out the stiffness. Gotta play catch with it and alot of it.

I would suggest having some of your pitchers parents take it from time to time to speed the process along.

default · Feb 13, 2009

MadIce you are so right. It is well worth the effort of breaking in any Nokona glove. I took my daughters and had parents use it to assist in breaking it in by playing catch. Now she is done playing ball and I keep mine as a back up.

default · Feb 13, 2009

Thanks everyone for helping out. Yes she is 10U and is using a mizuno youth mitt now, she loved the glove, it broke in fast but now it has little padding left and has a rip on the back of the glove that is growing.We have a couple pitchers throwing in the 60's(on the Wii LOL) Her hands are just about the same size as mine(adult m batting glove) so I think a bigger glove may fit.I was looking at the Nokona as a investment(something she would have for many years) but if they don't last much longer than the cheaper priced gloves I'm not sure if its worth it. Plus I'm like WOOLFMAN but with bats and I'm scared to start putting that much money in gloves like I do bats. I will be at the Spano Dome for the tourney at the end of the month will the Glove Dr. be there then?? Do any of the chain sporting good stores(Dick's-MC) carry Nokona so I can see one?? Thanks again you have been very helpfull. Spirit 10U

default · Feb 13, 2009

I don't think they carry Nokona catchers mitt at MC or Dicks. Need to go to the local sporting goods store or give Glove Doctor a call.

Not sure about Glove Dr schedule but here is his number 330-856-4899 or cell 330-550-1731 His name is Mike Wilkinson

default · Feb 14, 2009

Have seen Nokona catchers mitts at both Dicks and Dunhams but they do not stock very many.

default · Feb 14, 2009

SPIRIT 10U said:
Thanks everyone for helping out. Yes she is 10U and is using a mizuno youth mitt now, she loved the glove, it broke in fast but now it has little padding left and has a rip on the back of the glove that is growing.We have a couple pitchers throwing in the 60's(on the Wii LOL) Her hands are just about the same size as mine(adult m batting glove) so I think a bigger glove may fit.I was looking at the Nokona as a investment(something she would have for many years) but if they don't last much longer than the cheaper priced gloves I'm not sure if its worth it. Plus I'm like WOOLFMAN but with bats and I'm scared to start putting that much money in gloves like I do bats. I will be at the Spano Dome for the tourney at the end of the month will the Glove Dr. be there then?? Do any of the chain sporting good stores(Dick's-MC) carry Nokona so I can see one?? Thanks again you have been very helpfull. Spirit 10U

Since your dd is 10U she would be using that catchers mitt with an 11 inch ball. When she moves up to 12U the pocket created in the catchers mitt will be too small for the 12 inch ball. It does make a difference. If your dead set on purchasing an expensive mitt for you dd, I suggest trying to break in the mitt using a 12 inch ball. Always keep two 12 inch balls in the mitt when not in use...one in the pocket and one below the first ball. Use string, a belt, or something else to close the glove around the softballs. Keep the pocket of the mitt as large and deep as possible. Do not soak the mitt with oil....it does not help break in the mitt....using it does. Keep the mitt clean of dirt. Clean it after each tournament. Once clean, I use shaving cream with lanolin on my gloves, once at the beginning of the year, once in mid season if the leather is looking dry, and after the season is over. If the leather is overly dry I use a product called "Leather Therapy" very sparingly. I buy Leather Therapy at Tractor Supply. It is meant for horse saddles and other equine leather accessories but works great on good glove leather.

Good Luck
Len

default · Feb 15, 2009

Thanks Len,
I think if I make the investment I will spend most of the year breaking it in with a 12" ball so she will have it the following year if she moves up to 12U, she's a pitcher for a 12u rec team so I'll break it in when she practices. I have used shaving cream before and someone I talked to said to rub vasoline all over the glove then us a hair dryer to heat it up and rub it in. Have you ever heard of this?? Thanks again for your wisdom your a big help. Thanks Eric

default · Feb 15, 2009

Using heat voids the warranty on most gloves.
Check out the following post
http://www.game-ex.com/vb3/showthread.php?p=56030&#post56030

default · Feb 15, 2009

Just park the car on it. I bought a rawling glove from walmart and it broke in well. She will be ready for 12u next year.:yahoo:

default · Feb 17, 2009

MadIce said:
I don't think they carry Nokona catchers mitt at MC or Dicks. Need to go to the local sporting goods store or give Glove Doctor a call.

Not sure about Glove Dr schedule but here is his number 330-856-4899 or cell 330-550-1731 His name is Mike Wilkinson

they do have these at dick's on occasion, McKinley.

Nokona catchers gloves???

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