Finger In, Finger Out, or double up - What Do You Prefer?

[Brotherray]

A discussion recently started on another thread about finger placement in a glove. Some pitchers, like Ervin Santana, will double up his pinkie and ring finger in the pinkie slot and stick out his pointer finger over the middle finger of the glove.



This probably gives you a bigger pocket to work with and may even be more comfortable to wear like that. It definitely makes for an unusual look when you add the finger hood.

I was wondering if anyone else had any unusual preferences for how they place their fingers inside a glove.

[Cowboy7130]

When I was in Little League, I had a hand-me-down glove that was difficult to close and had insignificant padding and shock absorption in its pocket. I believe it was a Revelation with the Revelation version of the Flex-O-Matic palm (except it didn't flex very well!).

I discovered that by putting two fingers outside the back opening, my index and middle finger, I added a bit of protection to my middle finger and a little more closing power and room. Two fingers back created a deeper pocket, a little easier to close.

I still have the glove, and the palm is still iron-hard. It never broke in, though I used it for three years!

[offsidewing]

I'm a normal finger placement guy, with my index finger out.

I played catcher most of my youth thru high school, subbing out to 2B or LF to let the other guy catch some games. Catching, while not moving finger slots, your pinky and ring finger are typically stablemates anyways. When I try shifting and doubling up the last two fingers with a fielder's glove, it feels very weird to me.

On a side note, I picked up a used Pro-HFB to play softball with last spring. It had been broken in by someone who shifted and doubled up their fingers. The pocket was broken-in differently and was very noticable when trying to catch with it with my "index out five finger" style. I ended up putting it on ebay (before I know about this wonderful place!) because it felt different on my hand.

[Gloveguy]

In the sixties and seventies a lot of outfielders put two fingers in the pinkie slot and had the index finger on the outside. Willie Mays comes to mind. Don't remember many pitchers doing that and can't remember any infielders doing it. I know that Chase Utley, for one, now does it and have seen several other middle infielders doing the same. Maybe because there are more styles of gloves designed for specific positions now days? I can remember some middle infielders using the Rawling Score or Spahn XPG 3's, which were large gloves for the day. An interesting topic.

[Brotherray]

I seem to remember watching old footage of the Yankees from the 60's and seeing Joe Pepitone stick out his pointer and middle finger. I immediately tried it but it didin't feel comfortable.

David Wright doubles up his fingers.



I think this practice is more common with outfielders. It does give you a bigger pocket and probably another inch in reach which is a nice edge . Fastback gloves work best using this approach.

[Cusser]

I personally never had the index finger out, ever since I was a kid. Same goes for both my kids.

[Brotherray]

Does anyone know who is credited with being the 1st player to stick a finger out? I had heard it was Yogi Berra but I can't confirm the validity.

[space50]

I used to put two fingers in the glove's pinky finger. It gives you a little deeper pocket and a little less sting. Now I put my index finger out because I feel it give you more control over the glove.

[oldreliable]

I'm an outfielder, and if I can depending on which glove I use, I put my pinky and ring fingers in the pinky stall, the middle finger in the ring finger stall, and the index finger in the middle finger stall.

By the way the glove sits on the hand, it gives me a bit more glove length to catch the ball with--it effectively makes my arm longer.

I also feel that the glove gets better snap action (not to steal a term from Wilson).

On an old Wilson A2000, I find that I cannot do this, and wear it with the fingers in their usual stalls with the index finger in the glove. But, gosh-o- mighty, does it ever hurt if I get one right on the index finger!

I also heard that Yogi was the first to stick his index finger out of the mitt/glove.

Cool question!

[RedSoxFan81]

I actually never used to put my finger out, but recently over the last few years have gotten in the habit of it. I definitely prefer when playing outfield to double up my pinky/ring finger into the pinky stall. I've never tried it for infield though with one of my smaller gloves.Feels awkward to me for some strange reason. I didn't know any infielders ever did it.Interesting stuff.

[swingman]

Yeah Utley is also on the new trend. I actually tried it yesterday for the first time. While playing catch with my buddy I slipped in my pinky and ring finger to the last stall and shifted the middle and index finger to the side stalls. Felt really weird and completely wrong at first and actually a guilt because I was going against the traditions of a baseball glove. But after a few catches it actually felt really good. Feels like it gives it a bigger pocket, it really helped out my backhand scoops. Also I agree it feels like it gives it a half inch more to the glove. Did it long enough to the point were it convinced me to use it on my 11 1/4 gloves.

BTW I have a Rawlings PROS12IC Pro Preferred if it matters. For some reason I have one issue with pro preferreds and that is if the ball hits in the palm of the glove the ball will ricochet out faster then other gloves.

[RedSoxFan81]

Swingman, I'm glad you mentioned that. I'm selling my pro preferred for just that reason. ANY ball that hits it in the palm wants to kick right out of there. I'm done with baseball so I play softball so it happens more frequently, so i'm getting rid of that glove.Never have had this issue with any of my HOH gloves. I love the lighter weight of the pro preferred glove, and that the pinky/thumb stalls have remained really stiff even once the glove is fully broken in, but the palm thing is too much.

[space50]

Same thing with the Pro Preferred I had too.

[RichieRich]

I tried this with my HOH and it felt uncomfortable. I bet I could get used to it as it does create lots more leverage. It leaves some of my palm exposed though.

[wickedwoman11]

I've always done the index finger out, with all the other fingers in the assigned stalls. But I just bought a 12.75" Rawlings and it is way too big for me, and not broken in yet. I'm thinking about returning it, but if I don't I will definitely put pinky and ring finger in the last stall, since that is the only way I can close it now. It definitely makes it easier to close. But with my gamer Nokona Buffalo AMG175BF, I don't need to worry about it since it is broken in perfectly. BTW...hi, my first post here. I'm thrilled to find this forum since I'm obsessed with baseball gloves.