If you love baseball players and want to be one of them, you must have thought, why do baseball players wear mittens? Regardless of the sport an athlete is involved in, and it’s all about coordinating, being active and taking action at the right point. Along with the muscular body, to be the best player, you need to have strong hands, too, because your shot energy counts.
If you were also searching for the answer to this question, you have landed on the right page. Today, we will make your curiosity sit at rest by answering it. Along with your answer, we have compiled other information in this blog which will be helpful to you. Let’s get into it.
Why Do Baseball Players Wear Mittens?
While watching a baseball game for the first time, you must have asked yourself, “Why are baseball players wearing oven mittens in their hands?” We all have been there and can truly understand your question, which was quite confusing initially. Let us break down why baseball players wear these mittens and why they are essential to wear during the game. After going through this guide, it will be easy for you to understand the importance of mittens and why one should wear it before every game.
Baseball player mittens are considered one of the essential accessories to wear during the game. Without wearing one, they won’t be able to get a perfect grip on the ball while catching it. They are supposed to protect the ball from dirt and smudges so you can hold it safely. They look fabulous during practice sessions and are also known as fashion statements. Another important reason why players love to wear them is that it gives power to their throw.
In different sports, players keep themselves safe from injuries by wearing other things. The same goes for baseball, where players must keep themselves safe from pain while sliding to catch the ball. Baseball requires lots of focus to keep your eyes on the ball to show your best game on the field, and mittens help you catch the ball accurately every time. Also, mittens make your body and hands strong, which is essential to play every game as an athlete. One of the dangerous aspects of baseball is getting injured from the intensity if you are not wearing mittens for protection.
Sliding mitts are not going anywhere and are here to stay to keep players protected throughout a game. If you ever play a baseball game, you can understand the comfort and why they are essential to wear after wearing them in your hand. Baseball mittens also help during the practice session as you don’t have to go through the complicated process of dealing with a ball. After wearing the mittens, you can prevent skin from catching blisters and skin injuries when the game intensity is high. So make sure you have these mittens on while being on the field.
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Benefits of Using a Baseball Mitten
Baseball mittens are a vital accessory in a game. However, if you are still thinking about the advantages, we have compiled some of them too. Here are some of the benefits of wearing baseball mittens during the game.
Injury Prevention
In every sport, if players are not taking care of themselves and not taking preventive measures to protect their bodies, they can get severely injured. In a baseball game, mittens or gloves protect your hands from a severe injury when you slide to catch the ball. It reduces the stress from your body, and when you are about to dive, it supports your catch.
A severe injury in the sport can keep any player out of the ground for a long time and you don’t have to be the one. If you are about to play baseball for the first time, you should wear them to prevent injury.
Excellent Grip
You can’t show your best game if you don’t have an excellent grip on the ball. Many people don’t wear mittens when they play casually, so they lose their focus on the ball. While playing baseball, wearing mittens is also crucial because they have an excellent grip. You are supposed to catch the ball with all your power when you are on the field.
As soon as they contact the ball, it absorbs most of the impact and keeps you safe. Also, the chances of losing the catch are less when you are in intense situations. Mittens keep your hands safe from unnecessary sweating, which is responsible for missing out on the catch. By wearing them, you never have to feel embarrassed while playing the match.
Better Practice Sessions
Your practice matches are responsible for increasing your performance in the game. A better practice session leads to the perfect match. It would be great if you wore all the essential accessories during the game to be comfortable before being on the field. Many players practice with bare hands and at the time of playing with mittens, they feel uncomfortable.
Mittens give you a better grip on the ball during a practice session, and you can decide what angles suit you best. Also, many people realize during the game that they should have worn mittens on the other hand, due to the constant slide. These baseball mittens always deliver extra advantage to your game, and you can perform better while being on the field.
Improved Concentration
Baseball is all about coordination; if your whole body is involved in the game, you can do better. Baseball mittens are excellent accessories to wear when you want to improve your concentration in a game. Wearing something in your hand that is non-slippery and help you enhance your gaming reduces stress.
It improves concentration as you don’t have to keep looking at sweaty hands. In the beginning, it will be hard to adjust your hand in a mitten, but with time, you will get an excellent grip. Also, it will help you play better when the weather is not in your favour.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When did baseball players start wearing mittens?
It is confusing for new players to understand where it started and why it is necessary to wear mittens. Initially, it was created a while ago, but officially in 2008, oven mitts began to appear in the game. It was to protect the players from severe injury during a game and to help them focus on the ball. Also, these mittens protect other players when someone is trying to move around them. Now mittens are a vital part of baseball, and players must wear them during the game. Without wearing one, it would be hard for them to have a firm grip on the ball.
Which hand do you wear a sliding mitt on?
When it comes to wearing a mitten, there is no specific rule about which hand you should wear. It depends on how you are comfortable and at what angle you are trying to play. Some players wear it on the right while some on the left, so it’s not a big deal to wear it. There are no strict rules and regulations applied to it. The hand you are about to use during the slide is where you should wear a sliding mitt. Usually, players wear it on their dominant hand.
When did baseball players stop leaving their gloves on the field?
Baseball is not a simple game because players used to change their kits or accessories in a different era, which also caused controversy. Before 1954, it was easy for players to leave their gloves on the field when it was time to bat. After 1954 the practice became prohibited in major leagues. Even if you take a closer look at the size of baseball gloves, they have changed in size and quantity. Today, baseball player gloves are comfortable and thick enough to catch a ball easily.
What do baseball players carry in their back pockets?
If you are new to this game, you must be curious about what players put in their back pockets and often glance at it. A baseball game is not easy to understand, and you must learn a few things about it before playing it. Baseball players carry index cards in their back pockets and often glance at them to memorize the matter when they forget. It’s a better communication method, and they stay focused on the game.
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Final Thoughts
Wearing mittens during a baseball game has been a tradition since the 1860s. It’s one of the essential accessories players must wear when they begin the game. After going through our article, you must have gotten the answer to your question.
If you are about to play your first baseball game, it’s time to wear those mittens and transform your personality into a professional player. Also, while buying them, never compromise on the quality as it comes in contact with your skin. Make sure you are purchasing the best ones from the market that are suitable to enhance your game. It’s time to show your best game to the world.
