In 2011, Martin Maldonado started his professional career using the CM3000XSBK, our 32" mitt. No room for error with this small and precise mitt. Soon, Maldonado ("Maldy") switched to our most popular 33.5" size. He and several other All-Star Focus Team players asked for a little more room to receive the ball with confidence because pitchers are throwing faster and with more movement. In the 2017 season, Maldy used a custom 34" mitt and won the Rawlings Gold Glove Award®. That year Martin sharpied 100% on the back of his web to remind him to give 100% of the pitches 100% of his attention and focus. Now you can own the same mitt that made him the top catcher in the game with this special edition release of our solid black CM3000 Pro-Elite® mitt in the same 34" size Maldy uses.
Why would we introduce a mitt that is only ½” larger than our most popular size? Well, in the words of Martin Maldonado and several other All-Star Focus Team players who choose our 33.5” mitt: Pitchers are throwing faster and with more movement, and they need just a little more room to receive the ball with confidence. Jumping to our large 35” mitt is just too big of a jump in size.
BREAKING IN YOUR MITT- This is a stiffer pro-level mitt and will take a little work, but you will be rewarded for your effort. We recommend not putting anything on the mitt to help break it in (this includes steaming). The best way to break it in is to simply use it.
