Calling all Catchers - Thumb Problem

[HammeRDrop]

Today, our pitcher through a heater inside and when I caught it my thumb pushed back and its been excruciating ever since, and while trying to catch and bat again, it killed. This probably the fourth or fifth time this has hapenned to me while catching. So, at this point my thumb is practically immobilized, but the pain usually goes away after a day or two. What kind of precautions should I take, and what should I do?

Thanks, HD

[Catchingcoach]

HD,

What I would like to understand is how you hold your glove as you show the target, and then hold you hold it as this fastball hit your glove.

When you show the target where is your thumb pointed? Give your answer on the clock dial, 3 o-clock, 6 o-clock etc....


When the ball hit your glove where was your thumb pointed? Give your answer on the clock dial, 3 o-clock, 6 o-clock etc....

This is a good way to understand the path yout glove tool to the ball and sheds a great deal of light on why the thumb got nailed.

[HammeRDrop]

HD,

What I would like to understand is how you hold your glove as you show the target, and then hold you hold it as this fastball hit your glove.

When you show the target where is your thumb pointed? Give your answer on the clock dial, 3 o-clock, 6 o-clock etc....


When the ball hit your glove where was your thumb pointed? Give your answer on the clock dial, 3 o-clock, 6 o-clock etc....

This is a good way to understand the path yout glove tool to the ball and sheds a great deal of light on why the thumb got nailed.

When it first started to hurt it was a fastball that was inside that I caught at about 4 oclock. The other bad blow was a low curve that I caught at my thumb pointing at about 3-5 oclock.

[hellborn]

Today, our pitcher through a heater inside and when I caught it my thumb pushed back and its been excruciating ever since, and while trying to catch and bat again, it killed. This probably the fourth or fifth time this has hapenned to me while catching. So, at this point my thumb is practically immobilized, but the pain usually goes away after a day or two. What kind of precautions should I take, and what should I do?

Thanks, HD

Something similar happened to me years ago on a really high near wild pitch fastball from a young fireballer...just threw the glove up and took it right in the thumb. Hurt for at least six months, glad that you recover a little more quickly than I did!
My solution was to buy a really nice mitt from Easton that had a built in plastic tube that surrounded the thumb. Have no idea if anybody still makes something like this. I suppose that wedging a piece of reasonably strong yet flexible plastic tube into your mitt might have a similar protective effect...I wonder if something like PVC might shatter?

[HammeRDrop]

Something similar happened to me years ago on a really high near wild pitch fastball from a young fireballer...just threw the glove up and took it right in the thumb. Hurt for at least six months, glad that you recover a little more quickly than I did!
My solution was to buy a really nice mitt from Easton that had a built in plastic tube that surrounded the thumb. Have no idea if anybody still makes something like this. I suppose that wedging a piece of reasonably strong yet flexible plastic tube into your mitt might have a similar protective effect...I wonder if something like PVC might shatter?

I think thats a little more painful than what I experienced :) But nonetheless I could barely grip the bat after that, and as result, going 1 for 7 in the double header :mad:

I heard of a little pad that can be put inside the glove, but when it hapenned it felt like the thumb ripped back, but the ball hit the pocket. It wasn't a straight shot to the thumb.

Anyone know about a little pad?

[G-Force717]

I had (and have) the same exact problem. I didnt know how to fix it either, so i practiced even with slower pitchers just having my mitt ready to get the inside pitch and i have not had a single problem.

[HammeRDrop]

I had (and have) the same exact problem. I didnt know how to fix it either, so i practiced even with slower pitchers just having my mitt ready to get the inside pitch and i have not had a single problem.

Thanks for the input. The pitch that really set it off was a 2-seamer that really ran inside and I caught it as if it were right down the pipe. I got practice tonight so I'll try and work things out :)

[onbaseball]

When catching inside pitches, you should get your elbow pointed out at around a 90-degree angle, and catch the ball in the pocket of the glove with your thumb pointed directly at the ground (6 o'clock). It seems unnatural but if you practice this technique you should be better prepared to receive inside pitches.

In fact, you can think about receiving all pitches with your thumb pointed down (in practice). On most pitches this receiving position gives you good flexibility and and a more natural look (to the umpire) when framing pitches.

Also, see if you can get your hands on an Akadema catcher's glove. The "Reptilian" series glove is the best I've seen / played with ... and I've been catching for 25 years. It has an extra break on the thumb, which allows you to catch the ball more naturally and with less possibility of the thumb jam you describe.

[HammeRDrop]

When catching inside pitches, you should get your elbow pointed out at around a 90-degree angle, and catch the ball in the pocket of the glove with your thumb pointed directly at the ground (6 o'clock). It seems unnatural but if you practice this technique you should be better prepared to receive inside pitches.

In fact, you can think about receiving all pitches with your thumb pointed down (in practice).

My thumb pointing down? Shouldn't I have it pointing up on inside pitches?

[onbaseball]

My thumb pointing down? Shouldn't I have it pointing up on inside pitches?

Absolutely not, if it is pointing up that is why it is getting jammed. You have no flexibility in your hand, wrist, or arm with the thumb pointed up, and there is especially no "give" on an inside (to a RH batter) pitch.

Try to keep your receiving arm parallel to the ground, the elbow up and pointing straight out to the left, thumb pointing down. It may seem a little strange at first but you will be more flexible and give a little with the pitch by receiving it deeper (closer to your body). Also, by using this technique (thumb down), your glove is in a good position to handle any strike, inside or outside, low or high, merely by sweeping the target from side to side (wrist / hand / glove remain stationary). Think about it like you are always backhanding the ball.

The only time you should turn your thumb so that it is pointing up is if the ball is WAY inside or high and you need to fully extend your arm to get to it.

[Regg]

I have been catching for too many years to mention and have had this problem many times in the past. First i tried to have a cast made, which turned out to be too big and bulky to be practical. I did find a company in canada that manufactures an item called the "Thumb-guard" which is nothing more than a piece of nylon that has two loops at each end for your thumb and forefinger. You wear it under your glove, and when equipped will effectively not allow your thumb to be knocked back (hyper-extended).

I used it for awhile, but could never get used to having the webbing on my hand. Opted to work on better receiving technique. That said, I might still get one in my "kitchen" once in awhile, but not more than a couple of times a season. I will try to locate the link for the company and post it later.