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Features

  • Deep Pocket

  • Conventional Open Back

  • Double Sided Slim Padding

  • Stress Wedge Technology for Added Thumb Protection

  • Triple Hammock Web

  • Youth Model - Smaller Hand Opening, Tighter Finger Stalls

  • Full Grain Leather Shell

  • 31.50 Inch Pattern

  • Free Shipping!

Description

Akadema is the most exciting baseball and softball company in the world. Akadema's ownership attributes an increasing market share to their innovative quality professional product line in contrast to mass-produced products that have little to do with quality, feel, or design that raise the level of play. Much like in the insect world where the Praying Mantis is known to devour its competition, Akadema's new catcher's mitt will do the same to conventional catcher's mitts. The Akadema patent Praying Mantis is the most innovative catchers mitt ever to hit the market, with many unique features setting it apart from the competition. With new patented Stress Wedge technology, located between the index finger and thumb, the Praying Mantis offers shock-absorbing protection for the hand against injury and sting when receiving the ball. The Praying Mantis also offers two additional Finger Hammocks allowing the fingers to be firmly positioned and more secure in the glove. Additional features include the Double-sided Slim Padding allowing for increased pocket size and easier ball retention. Uniquely designed shape allows the throwing hand easier access in the pocket, resulting in a quicker glove to hand transfer and faster times to second base. The Akadema Rookie Series was created for younger players who are serious about baseball and want to play like their favorite stars. Akadema uses full grain leather in the construction for easy break-in and comfort. Free Shipping!

Reviews

Average Ratings Based on 11 Customer Reviews

4.1818181818181817 Stars:Overall Rating
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5 Stars: Overall Rating
Cowboys4418

Pros: Great size for beginning catcher. Broke in pretty easy via steam machine. Easy to close is the main thing. Small hands work well with this glove. Very well built glove for the most part. Glad I made this purchase.

Cons: Some of the leather laces are a little stiff, even after the steam machine and conditioning oils. Most stores do not have it in stock. Had to order online.

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4 Stars: Overall Rating
elmore

Pros: Good glove for a good price!

Cons: Taking awhile to break in.

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
Mike

Pros: My 8 year old plays travel and catches 5-10 innings per week. This glove is his best friend. Comfortable durable and effective.

Cons: None really. Mesh holds. Some field dirt is all I can think of.

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
Dad of U8 AAA USSSA Player

Pros: I was a little apprehensive buying a glove without trying it first. After reading all the reviews, I decided this glove was worth the try. I have no regrets. This glove is great for the beginner catcher. Easy to break in. I applied a little glove conditioner then wrapped a ball in the pocket for a few days. My son was catching the ball as if the glove had been used for an entire year. Lightweight design lessens fatigue. Mesh back promotes airflow. Stylish, all the kids are envious of the way the glove looks. No sting design makes for more confidence when receiving the ball.

Cons: None so far

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
Izulow

Pros: This glove is well made and my now 8 year old has been using this for over a year and a half now. It was easy to break in and fits a smaller hand unlike others out there. With the mesh it helps keep his hands cooler in the Texas heat. When the ball hits the pocket the mitt collapses as it should. The glove may last another season and that will be it and he will need the next size up.

Cons: The side laces have to be re tied each day after about a year of play.

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
OK Wolf Pack Elite 7u

Pros: Perfect size for my 75lb 7 year old. Broke it in with a little work in one week. Easy for him to close after 3 games. Much lighter and easier to handle than the Nokona that I originally bought him. All around good glove for youth catchers

Cons: After a week and half, I am still working on keeping the laces tied on the outside of the pocket. I softened them up with some neatsfoot oil (amazon) and they are better now.

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4 Stars: Overall Rating
philosodad

Pros: Once broken in this is a very nice glove. I bought it for my seven year old last year and he's using it again this year. The glove is comfortable, easy to close and easy to keep closed for tags at the plate. My son is able to catch with this glove as well as with his fielding glove, although it did take some time to get used to it. The glove shows no wear after a year of use, and while he can use the glove easily, the design allows plenty of room for growth. I expect him to be able to use this glove for several more years.

Cons: The pictured model has gold writing on the inside, but the glove we received was pure black. Against a black chest pad it is hard for pitchers to target on this glove. Also, the ADS90 takes a while to break in, especially the laces. We worked it for a few months with Nokama and Akadema conditioners, lots of catch, and plenty of flexing and rolling the laces.

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
Eagle Coach

Pros: Very light, easy break-in (one oiling), deep pocket, extremely small for youth hands and it looks sharp so the boys love it! I got one for my 8 yo son to use and now all of my boys who catch on my 9U team are using it so you can get an idea of the size hands that it fits. I am very pleased with the purchase!

Cons: I'll keep looking until I find one!

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3 Stars: Overall Rating
Coach Daddy

Pros: The glove is light, very "airy" in feel. The padding is just right the toe is nice and the web scoop is very big for digging up the ball in the dirt.For the price on this gove it's awesome. However,r the cons below is what is keeping this from staying in my kids bag.

Cons: The cons are - I'm not a fan of the mesh back. I know it's to keep it light and breathable, but to me I prefer a leather glove front back and inside. The thumb loop is also very, very thin leather

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2 Stars: Overall Rating
lasted one season & we threw it in the trash nelson coach

Pros: soft, broke in easy. light.

Cons: cheaply materials used to lighten weight. after 40 games catching about 60% of innings it literally wore a hole in top of thumb as leather is more like thick cloth. would not recommend it.

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3 Stars: Overall Rating
Doll36

Pros: Looks good. Good quality. Came with Extras!

Cons: EXTREMELY STIFF. No idea how long it will take to break in...

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Questions and Answers

Have a question about the Akadema Rookie Series: ADS90-12 Youth Catcher's Mitt? Ask our team of experts and they will respond within 24 hours.

Do you have a preference between the this glove and the Rawlings player preferred series? basiceppes
This is good catchers mitt and will have a very deep pocket. This glove has good padding similar to the Rawlings.
KG
Does it have extra padding in the pocket? Can you return it with free shipping? Is this size ideal for a smaller 9 year old? Cowboys4418
Yes this glove has the Double Sided Slim Padding with the deep padded pocket. If necessary you can return free if charge with our return slip included in the box. It may take a bit to break-in, but will end up fitting your 9 year old well.
Tyler
Does this glove have the praying mantis feature? Karen
Yes. This mitt does feature Akadema's praying mantis construction
Tyler
My son has an older version of ADS90. Is this 31.5 or 31? The older version was 31. Ethan
The Akadema Rookie Series (ADS90-12) is a 31.5" model. The original ADS90 model is a 31" while the newer Akadema Rookie series is just an half inch larger.
John
Would you recommend this glove for my 9U son? Looking for a light weight catcher's mitt. Buster
At 31.5", the Akadema Rookie Series: ADS90-12 Youth Catcher's Mitt is a great option for a 9 to 11 year old catcher. It is average in weight compared to other 31.5" youth catcher mitts.
Tyler
This model has 32.5" version? It's a light weight? Junior
The Akadema Rookie Series: ADS90-12 Youth Catcher's Mitt only has the 31.5" size. The next size up ill be a 32", Akadema Prodigy Series: AGC98-12 Youth Catcher's Mitt or the 33", Akadema Patriot Series: USA141 Catcher's Mitt.
Chad M.
How would this compare to the Louisville Genesis 1884? Does one have better leather or is made better? Is the Genesis a lot lighter? Either have a deeper pocket? Looking for a glove to use for ages 8-10, not concerned with break-in time. PW
The Akadema Rookie Series: ADS90-12 Youth Catcher's Mitt has a slightly bigger pocket than the Louisville Slugger Genesis 1884 Series: GENYCM Youth Catcher's Mitt. The Akadema Rookie Series: ADS90-12 Youth Catcher's Mitt also uses a higher grade of leather.
Kara
How does the mesh construction hold up? Does it create more heat on the hand? EG
The Akadema Rookie Series: ADS90-12 Youth Catcher's Mitt mesh material will not create more heat on the players hand. The mesh material will provide a more lightweight feel.
Kara
What do you mean when you say Free Gift? jon
The Akadema Rookie Series: ADS90-12 Youth Catcher's Mitt comes with free pair of Akadema sunglasses.
Katie
I have a daughter who plays fastpitch softball. Will this be a good catcher's glove for a 10U league? Michelle
This glove will offer an easy break-in. However, it is designed as a baseball glove. You can view all of our fastpitch catcher's mitts at http://www.justballgloves.com/products/glove%20type~female%20fastpitch/position~catcher/
Tori
My son is 8 and wants to pursue catching as a position. I was looking at this glove and the Mizuno Propect Series (GXC112). Which do you think would be a better glove for him to start with, easiest to break-in, etc.? Jessica
The Mizuno Prospect Series (GXC112) will be a little bit easier to break-in, because the leather will be a little bit softer. This glove will also have a little bit more customization because it incorporates power close technology. The Akadema Rookie Series (ADS90-12) will provide a deeper pocket, and will have a full grain leather shell to make it a little stronger. I would probably recommend going with with Mizuno Prospect series for a first glove, just because the leather will be a little bit softer. This glove will have a game-ready feel and will be very comfortable.
Merritt
My son is 11 and he is bigger than average kids his size in height. We used a Rawlings RCM30TMD last year. Would the 31.5" be too big or too heavy for him to use? Also what is the difference between the Praying Mantis compared to a regular catchers mitt? cueball
Ideally, I would recommend a 32" in a youth catcher's mitt, but a 31.50" will also work for him. With new patented Stress Wedge technology, located between the index finger and thumb, the Praying Mantis offers shock-absorbing protection for the hand against injury and sting when receiving the ball. The Praying Mantis also offers two additional Finger Hammocks allowing the fingers to be firmly positioned and more secure in the glove. Additional features include the Double-sided Slim Padding allowing for increased pocket size and easier ball retention. Uniquely designed shape allows the throwing hand easier access in the pocket, resulting in a quicker glove to hand transfer and faster times to second base.
Tom
Do I still need the Rookie Series for a 54 inch tall, 110 pound, 11 year old? Do the Rookie Series come in more than one size? Tricia
The only catcher's mitt in the Akadema Rookie Series is the Akadema Rookie Series (ADS90-12). Whether or not the Rookie Series would be appropriate would be based less of the size of the player and more on the size of their hands. Players of that age and size can vary greatly in terms of hand and finger size. If you purchase with us and you get it and the glove does not fit, you would have a 100 day period to send it back in to us for either a refund or to swap it out for another, more adult style model.
Patrick
My small 10 year old son has been catching in Little League for a year now. He is playing AAU ball and injured his thumb catching with the Easton Game Ready Catcher's Mitt 31.5" GR200. Would the Akadema Rookie be a better choice for him? I am hoping to avoid a re-occurrence of the thumb injury. PBD
The Akadema Rookie Series: ADS90-12 Youth Catcher's Mitt does feature the stress wedge technology to help with thumb protection. This feature will make it a better option compared to the Easton Game Ready Series for what you are looking for.
Jason
Show all 14 Questions and Answers about the Akadema Rookie Series: ADS90-12 Youth Catcher's Mitt

About the Brand

In Akadema's short but remarkable history it has become one of America's hottest baseball and softball equipment company for professional, college, high school, and serious youth players. The Akadema phenomenon started with the Professional Glove Series and continues with the Reptilian®, Praying Mantis®, Pro Soft™ and Prodigy™ Glove Series as well as the Amish Wood™, Tacktion™ and Xtension® Aluminum Bat Series. Akadema's ownership attributes increasing market share to their innovative professional baseball and softball product line in contrast to mass-produced products that have little to do with quality, feel, or design to raise the level of play.

Akadema's products are manufactured for professional players but are now accessible to semi pro, college, high school, and serious youth players. Akadema products are still designed with the professional player in mind but competitively priced for the professional player at heart. So it's your turn to think like a professional, play like a professional, and use Akadema Professional!

Akadema now has both baseball and fastpitch softball advisory staffs that they work with closely to implement new ideas. Members of the baseball advisory staff include Hall of Famers Ozzie Smith and Gary Carter as well as Howard Johnson, Reggie Smith, Luis Polonia, Sandy Martinez and many others. Fastpitch stars that are on the advisory staff include Crystl Bustos and Julie Smith. The input on performance from the advisory staff gives Akadema something they cannot put a price on. Their advisors don’t talk about marketing or places to sell the gloves, they just care about performance.

Glove Properties

Akadema Rookie Series: ADS90-12 Youth Catcher's Mitt
Color Black
Glove Type Baseball Youth
Position Catcher
Size 31.50
Sub Type Catchers
Vendor Akadema
Web Type Fully Closed
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4.9 Star Rating, Google Customer Reviews