Sliding mitts are softball’s ‘must-have,’ even if at youth levels

[Yappi]

Former major leaguer Scott Podsednik (career stolen base total: 309) is credited with “inventing” the sliding mitt during the late stages of his 11-year career.

Tired of having his hand stepped on, Podsednik worked with a hand therapist for a solution. The initial mitts were relatively simple. A 2009 picture of Podsednik sliding into second base shows his left hand covered in what looks like a padded modified batting glove, all wrapped in black to match the trim on his Chicago White Sox uniform.

Sliding mitts are baseball's 'must-have,' even if at youth levels, they're all fashion, no function

Baseball players from major leaguers to Little Leaguers are using sliding mitts as a form of self-expression, even if at some levels, they're not needed at all.

apnews.com

 

[Yappi]

Seeing these more and more. The first time I saw them, it was a girl that was always decked out in the coolest new stuff. She was an average player with average speed. She was not a good baserunner and not a threat to steal bases. In fact, this glove probably got her out more times than not. Instead of running full speed and sliding feet first, she HAD to "slide" head first into the bag. I put slide in "" because it was more like fall down and reach out like a worm. She ended up missing a few games after trying a head first "slide" into a catcher.

Maybe these are good for some people but not everyone should be wearing them.

 

[kodiak10]

Seeing these more and more. The first time I saw them, it was a girl that was always decked out in the coolest new stuff. She was an average player with average speed. She was not a good baserunner and not a threat to steal bases. In fact, this glove probably got her out more times than not. Instead of running full speed and sliding feet first, she HAD to "slide" head first into the bag. I put slide in "" because it was more like fall down and reach out like a worm. She ended up missing a few games after trying a head first "slide" into a catcher.

Maybe these are good for some people but not everyone should be wearing them.

I would agree with this statement. Some apparel isn't needed, but more of a fashion statement. Don't we see this now in every sport though? In 2023 my daughter pitching as a freshman 2 years ago in Dist Semi's with game in hand slid into 2nd with a backdoor slide jammed her pitching finger thumb/index fingers. Could not grip the ball the last 4 innings. Her 60 mph fastball turned into a 50 mph changeup. Needless to say we lost the game. For the most part, every since then she try's to remember to wear her sliding mitt because of this. I would say though if girls aren't sliding head first or backdoor then a mitt wouldn't be needed.