US EditionSliding mitts are baseball's 'must-have,' even if at youth levels, they're all fashion, no function (copy)
- By early 2025, sliding mitts have become common accessories in youth baseball tournaments across the U.S., including Georgia and Las Vegas.
- This trend developed as players and parents pursue gear that offers hand protection during illegal head-first slides while expressing personal style.
- Sliding mitts are padded gloves invented late in Scott Podsednik’s major league career to protect hands from injury during slides, now sold by companies like Goat'd launched in 2024.
- Some adults, including coach Plassmeyer who banned mitts for distraction reasons, and player Andrew McCutchen, recognize the mitts’ popularity but worry about their functional value and distraction.
- The rising use of sliding mitts reflects ongoing cultural pressure in youth sports to acquire trendy equipment, despite the questionable necessity given league rules forbidding head-first slides.
33 Articles
33 Articles
Sliding mitts are baseball's 'must-have,' even if at youth levels, they're all fashion, no function (copy)
PITTSBURGH — Andrew McCutchen hasn’t had the conversation with 7-year-old son Steel yet, but the Pittsburgh Pirates star knows it’s probably coming at some point.
The rise of sliding mitts shows youth baseball’s obsession with ‘drip’ over defense
Andrew McCutchen hasn’t had the conversation with his 7-year-old son Steel yet, but the Pittsburgh Pirates star knows it’s probably coming at some point. Steel, already playing in a youth baseball league, will probably come home at one point and ask his five-time All-Star father if he can have whatever hot item his teammates might be wearing during a given spring. McCutchen plans to accommodate Steel up to a point. The oldest of McCutchen’s four…
Associated Press News
Sliding mitts are baseball's 'must-have,' even if at youth levels, they're all fashion, no function
Baseball players from major leaguers to Little Leaguers are using sliding mitts as a form of self-expression, even if at some levels, they're not needed at all.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage
