Akadema Torino Series Praying Mantis: APM43 Catcher's Mitt
Features
33.00 Inch Catcher's Mitt
Praying Mantis Pattern
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Stress Wedge for Added Protection
Two Finger Hammocks for Added Control
Double-Sided Slim Padding
Kip Leather
Double Flexhinge
Quick Break-In
Leather is 20% Lighter
Description
Known for comfortable gloves that perform unlike anything else on the field, Akadema has raised the bar with the Torino Series. With a light brown palm and a chocolate brown shell, the Torino Series performs even better than it looks! Akadema's newest glove line is made from soft and smooth kip leather that enables the Torino Series to be 20% lighter than traditional gloves, yet just as durable as U.S. steerhide. These gloves break-in quickly yet retain their shape better than any other glove on the market. This 33.00 Inch Praying Mantis Catcher's Mitt features Akadema's patented new Stress Wedge technology. Located between the index finger and thumb, the Stress Wedge offers shock absorbing protection for the hand when catching pitches. Two Finger Hammocks allow the fingers to be positioned more securely in the glove, giving the player added control. Additional features include the Double-sided Slim Padding that allows for increased pocket size and easier ball retention. The uniquely designed shape of this mitt allows the throwing hand easier access into the pocket, resulting in a quicker glove to hand transfer and faster times to second base. The Praying Mantis also features a Double Flexhinge which makes the glove snap closed on contact. Akadema: Bring Your "A" Game! Free Shipping!
Reviews
Average Ratings Based on 6 Customer Reviews
Pros: I love this mitt. Work of art.
Cons:
Pros: This glove is an excellent glove i've own several Akadema catchers gloves and this is by far the best. It has a great feel to it that all age levels will love. Its light and has a great pocket for quick ball transfer to throw runners out I am a College Catcher and i love this glove i recommend it to everyone who wants a glove they can count on.
Cons: The glove is a very good glove as i have said the only thing i could think of to help you make a decision is that this glove if mistreated can become very floppy or if you know baseball lingo a pancake. However if treated right and kept up to proper maintence this glove tops all others by far.
Pros: The leather is high quality. It fits a smaller adult hand well. It has ample padding but I have not tested it catching high speed adult pitches. I'm sure it would be as good as anything else in that regard.
Cons: There is a round cushion inside the glove between the thumb and index finger which is designed to absorb impact. After a year and a half using this to catch for my son and his youth team in practices, cage time, lessons, etc. that area of the glove still won't break in. I brought it recently to someone who breaks in gloves for a living and they agreed the design just lends itself to that part of the glove remaining stiffer. This results in the glove working well for many catches but in certain ones you just cannot close the glove enough and the ball can pop out. I did call Akadema about 9 months into using it and they just advised to keep working on it and it will break in. After another 2 seasons, and that glove pro's review I am convinced the issue is one of design. Perhaps others will have better luck. While I really like the 2 Akadema youth gloves, I'm sorry to say I would not recommend this glove.
Pros: Great mitt, it took me about 3-6 months to get it really well broken in and then it is a fantastic mitt. I am actually surprised some said this design just doesn't break in well. I would say maybe it is a user error issue, I have three of these mitts in my rotation i use and all three broke in very nicely.
Cons: No Cons at all,
Pros: The leather is firm and the glove is well made. The 33" seems a bit small and appears to be made for a smaller handed catcher.
Cons: The glove doesn't break in very easily. Two years in, as a recreational adult player, the glove is STILL not even as close as my Rawlings Primo glove. I'm sure that after the glove has seen much more wear it will be better liked by me!! For now, it frustrates me, and am considering giving this away and buying another Primo. Sadly, I would not recommend the glove to another player.
Pros: Great glove! Pocket is AMAZING! The Laces will hold against a hard thrower.
Cons: NONE
Questions and Answers
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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.
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