Catcher's Mitt
DateEarly 20th Century
DimensionsOverall: 28 x 7 x 25 cm
Credit LineGift of John Tamblyn, London, Ontario, 2001
Object number2001.025.004
Label TextUntil the 1920s, catchers used the round, pillow-style mitt here. It marked an important stage in the development of baseball. At first, players played baseball barehanded to illustrate their masculinity. But frequent injuries led to the introduction of gloves in the 1870s. From that time, different people patented various designs. The earliest were simply gloves stitched to the back of a round pad that covered the palm of the hand. Later refinements included lacing to hold the glove on the hand. Current refinements in design have improved the cushioning and also address the spinning of the ball.
NameMitt, Catcher's
