Expert: John Priest - 6/1/2009

Question
My son is a senior in HS and currently uses a Nokona catchers mitt, and the mitt has formed a bump that causes the ball to pop out every now and again. We are looking to replace the mitt so what are the top 5 catchers mitts out right now.

Answer
Bob,
I can say this because I don't work for Nokona anymore but I my opinion they have improved but Nokona does make some of the worst gloves in baseball.  The last project that I helped develop was the Nokona Blood line.  These gloves are high priced but they are of somewhat good quality.  What makes a glove form a bump in the palm is how it is made.  You want to look for a glove that has a laminated palm.  If there is no lamination in the palm holding the layers of leather together than your glove will form a "bump".  If the glove has a laminated palm the palm will be more firm and keep its shape giving a better pocket.  

The top 5 catchers mitts in my opinion are:
I am assuming that you are looking for top quality which usually means the highest price ranges.
   1.  Rawlings Heart of the Hide
       I have used the Jorge Posada model Heart of the Hide for the
       past 5 yrs and I don't plan on changing.
   2.  Rawlings Pro Preferred.
       Basically the same as #1 but costs more and different color
       options
   3.  All Star Pro Elite Series: CM3000XSBT Catchers Mitt
       Very good pocket and holds its shape
   4.  Any of the Wilson A2000 series
       Always been a quality glove.  Never used one because I   
       always used Rawlings.
   5.  Louisville Slugger TPX Pro  
High end Nokona gloves are ok but the gloves above make a consistently better glove.  Most of the newer Nokona models have been taken from Rawlings patterns.  I have not used any other gloves like Mizuno or Akedemia.

Thank you for the question
John Priest