Mizuno Gloves, are they right for you?

 When playing baseball it is important to be comfortable with your glove.  In this article I will discuss the different types of Mizuno gloves out there, and what their differences are.

 In 1994, Mizuno started a baseball glove manufacturing facility in Norcross, Georgia.  Mizuno equipment is now used by over 200 current major league baseball players.  The Mizuno Pro Limited glove is worn by Juan Pierre, Scott Rolen, Clint Barmes, Matt Cain, Ichiro Suzuki, Hideki Matsui, Ian Kinsler, Chad Billingsley, Zack Greinke and many others.  Mizuno has researched the dynamics of catching using data from the best players in the world. As a result of this,  they feel they have created position specific ball gloves that are designed with the requirements of the position in mind.  They have used their technology to fit the dynamic of the catching hand instead of the fit of the catching hand.  The Mizuno glove line consists of several models of fielders gloves, catchers mitts, and firstbase mitts.

The first in the line of fielders gloves is their Pro Limited series.  These are the gloves that most of the pro’s are using.  There are eight models and they come in three different colors and all allow for independent movement of the fingers for controlled fielding. The models are as follows:

GMP41: This Mizuno glove features a Deep L Web,  with an infield pattern and is 11.25 inches. It comes in Tan. Available for right handed throwers.

GMP50 : This Mizuno glove features the Deep 3 Web.  Like the GMP 41 it has an infield pattern, bit it is bigger at 11.75  inches.  It comes in Tan. Available for right handed throwers.

GMP61: This Mizuno glove also features the Deep 3 Web and also has an infield pattern, but is lightly smaller then the GMP50, at 11.50 inches.  It comes in Tan and Black. Available for right handed throwers.

GMP63:  This Mizuno glove has the Tartan Shock Web, a Pitcher/ infield pattern and is 11.50 inches.  It comes in Tan. Available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GMP62BK: This Mizuno glove has a T Web, features an infield pattern and is 11.50 inches.  It comes in Black. Available for right handed throwers.

GMP11BK:  This Mizuno glove has a Tartan 4 Web, with a pitchers pattern and is 12.00 inches.  It comes in Black.  Available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GMP70BK: This Mizuno web has what’s called a Ichiro Web, is an outfield pattern and is  12.75 inches.  It comes in Black.  Available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GMP55R:  This Mizuno glove features a Cross 55m Web, is an outfield pattern and is 12.50 inches.  It comes in Red. Available for right handed and left handed throwers.

The second line of Mizuno gloves is the Global Elite Series.  These baseball  gloves are soft and light for ultimate performance. Mizuno removes weight from the fingers of the glove for more control and a light weight feel to it.  They have also increased the structure and support throughout the fingers for better play.  There are six models in this series and they all come in the color of mocha.  The models are as follows:

GGE41:  This Mizuno glove has a Deep 8T Web,  with an infield pattern and is 11.25 inches. Available for right handed throwers.

GGE4: This Mizuno glove features a T Web, with an infield pattern and is 11.50 inches. Available for right handed throwers.

GGE5:  This Mizuno glove uses a Tartan Shock Web, is a pitcher/infield pattern and is 11.75 inches.  Available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GGE6: This Mizuno glove has a Deep 3 Web, with an infield pattern and is 11.50 inches.
Available for right handed throwers.

GGE1: This Mizuno glove features a Pyramid 2 Web, with a pitcher pattern and is 12.00 inches.  Available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GGE7:  This Mizuno glove offers an Ichiro Web, is the only outfield pattern in this model and is 12.75 inches.  Available for right handed and left handed throwers.

The third line of Mizuno gloves is the Classic Pro Soft Series.  These baseball  gloves are designed with throwback leather and have the natural  throwback color.  They are ultra soft and have a new palm liner with excellent feeling and a soft finish.  These gloves also have increases in structure and support throughout the finger and are naturally pre-oiled to keep their shape over time.   There are six models in this line, the models are as follows:

GCP40S:  This Mizuno glove features,  Deep 3 Web with an infield pattern and is 11.25 inches.  Available for right handed throwers.

GCP65S: This Mizuno glove has a Deep 3-I Web, is an infield pattern and is 11.50 inches.  Available for right handed throwers.

GCP53S:  This Mizuno glove uses a Deep 3 Web, is an infield pattern and is 11.75 inches. Available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GCP67S: This Mizuno glove has a Tartan Shock Web, with an infield pattern and is 11.50 inches. Available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GCP19S:  This Mizuno glove features a Tartan Web, is an infield pattern and is 12.00 inches.  Available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GCP79S: This Mizuno glove has a Shock 2 Web, is the only outfield pattern in this model and is 12.75 inches. Available for right handed and left handed throwers.

As you can see there are no dedicated pitcher patterns in this line however, the infield patterns will work just fine.

The fourth line of Mizuno gloves is the MVP Prime Series.  These baseball  gloves are designed using professional patterns, and smooth, professional style Oil Soft leather.  These baseball gloves have exceptional feel and firm control for the serious player.  There are seven different models and they all come in black. The models are as follows:

GMVP1101P: This Mizuno glove has a Deep I Web, uses an infield pattern, is 11.00 inches, and is available for right handed throwers.

GMVP1126P: This Mizuno glove features a Deep 3-V Web, is an infield pattern, is 11.25 inches and is available for right handed throwers.

GMVP1152P:  This Mizuno glove uses a Tartan Shock Web, has an infield pattern, is 11.50 inches, and is available for both right handed and left handed throwers.

GMVP1153P:  This Mizuno glove has a T Web, is an infield pattern, is 11.50 inches, and is available for right handed throwers.

GMVP1176P: This Mizuno glove features a  T Web also, it is also an infield pattern but it is 11.75 inches and is available for right handed throwers.

GMVP1200P: This Mizuno glove uses a Tartan Web, is a pitchers pattern,  is 12.00 inches, and is available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GMVP1276P: This Mizuno glove uses a Shock 2 Web, is an outfield pattern, is 12.75 inches and is available for right handed and left handed throwers.

The fifth line of Mizuno gloves in the MVP Series.  These baseball gloves use professional patterns, and are the ultimate in feel and control.  These gloves are perfectly oiled, full grain American Steer-hide “Bio-Retro” leather for game ready flexibility, remarkable texture, and maximum durability.  There are eight models and they all come in tan.  The models are as follows:

GMVP1101: This Mizuno glove has a Deep L Web,  an infield pattern, is 11.00 inches and is available for right handed throwers.

GMVP1126:  This Mizuno glove features a Deep 3 Web, an infield pattern, is 11.25 inches and is available for right handed throwers.

GMVP1154: This Mizuno glove uses a Deep 3 Web, an infield pattern, is 11.50 inches and is available for right handed throwers.

GMVP115A: This Mizuno glove uses a Tartan Web, an infield/pitcher patterns, is 11.50 inches and is available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GMVP1178: This Mizuno glove has a Deep 3 Web, an infield pattern, is 11.75 inches and is available for right handed throwers.

GMVP1203: This Mizuno glove features a Trident Web, a pitchers pattern, is 12.00 inches and is available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GMVP1204:  This Mizuno glove uses a Tartan Web, a pitchers pattern, is  12.00 inches and is available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GMVP1277: This Mizuno glove has the Ichiro Web, an outfield pattern, is 12.75 inches and is available for right handed and left handed throwers.

The sixth line of Mizuno gloves is called the World Win Series. These baseball gloves use professional patterns, and have game ready playability for immediate performance.  These gloves are specially tanned Retro Leather for a soft, supple feel for easy break-in and durability, have Pro Flex finger inserts that increase flexibility  and Parashock Palm pads that absorb impact.  There are four models and they all come in coffee/tan.  The models are as follows:

GWW1127: This Mizuno glove uses an H Web, an infield pattern, is 11.25 inches and is available for right handed throwers.

GWW1152: This Mizuno glove features a Deep 3 Web, an infield pattern, is 11.50 inches and is available for right handed throwers.

GWW1177: This Mizuno glove has a Tartan Shock Web, an infield pattern, is 11.75 inches and is available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GWW1203: This Mizuno glove uses a Tartan Web, a pitcher pattern, is 12.00 inches and is available for right handed and left handed throwers.

As you can see, no outfield pattern is offered in this model.

The seventh line of Mizuno gloves is the Franchise Series.  These baseball gloves are a baseball specific series, have comfortable hand based patterns and hi-low lacing.  They also offer the new Adjust A Size wrist closure that enables you to make a personal fit for any size hand.  There are three models in this series and they come in brown.  The models are as follows:

GFN1102:  This Mizuno glove uses a Tartan Web, an infield pattern, is 11.00 inches and is available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GFN1153: This Mizuno glove features a Deep 3 Web, an infield pattern, is 11.50 inches and is available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GFN1176: This Mizuno glove has a Tartan Shock Web, an infield/pitcher pattern, is 11.75 inches and is available for right handed and left handed throwers.

Mizuno’s line of catcher’s mitts are made from top quality leather and use the newest cutting edge technologies.  Mizuno has ten different models of catchers mitts in various different colors.  There models are as follows:

GMP20: This Mizuno mitt is tan, 34.00 inch pro sized and is available for right handed throwers.

GXC27: This Mizuno mitt is natural throwback, 34.00 inch pro sized and is available for right handed throwers.

GXC26: This Mizuno mitt is black and tan, 32.50 inch pro sized and is available for right handed throwers.

GXC56:  This Mizuno mitt is black, 33.50 inch  pro sized and is available for right handed throwers.

GXC54: This Mizuno mitt is black and brown, 34.00 inch full sized and is available for right handed throwers.

GXC75: This Mizuno mitt is tan and black, 34.00 inch pro sized and available for right handed throwers.

GXC93: This Mizuno mitt is coffee and cream, 33.50 inch full sized and is available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GXC94: This Mizuno mitt is black, 33.50 inch full sized and is available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GXC104: This Mizuno mitt is brown,  32.00 inch youth transitional size and is available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GXC111: This Mizuno mitt is black, 31.50 inch youth sized and is available for right handed and left handed throwers.

As you can see, Mizuno has available two adult and two youth mitts for the left handed thrower.  Not bad for a posisiton that is traditionally held for a right hander. 

Mizuno has first base mitts that meets the needs of all skill levels, from youth all the way to pro’s such as Todd Helton. Mizuno has eight models, they are as follows:

GMP30: This Mizuno firstbase mitt  is tan, 12.50 inch pro sized and is available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GXF26: This Mizuno firstbase mitt is natural throwback, 12.50 inch pro sized and available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GXF22: This Mizuno firstbase mitt is black,  13.00 inch pro sized and available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GXF55: This Mizuno firstbase mitt is black and brown, 13.00 inch pro sized and available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GXF56: This Mizuno firstbase mitt is black and brown, 13.00 inch softball pattern, and is available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GXF75: This Mizuno firstbase mitt is coffee and tan, 12.50 inch full sized and is available for right handed and left handed throwers. 

GXF92: This Mizuno firstbase mitt is coffee and cream, 12.50 inch full sized and is available for right handed and left handed throwers.

GXF101: This Mizuno firstbase mitt is black and brown, 12.00 inch youth sized and available for right handed and left handed throwers.

The differences between the eight models are sizes, types of leathers, colors and types of webbing.  It really is up to you as to which one fits and feels best.

So, which Mizuno glove is best for you?  It first depends on how much you want to spend.  Find the line that is in your spending amount and go from there.  You then have to decided, what size, web design, pattern and leather feels right for you.  You don’t want to be stuck on the field with a glove you are not comfortable with.  If you are not comfortable with your glove then your play will only suffer.  I’ve always been a fan of finding what leather I like (within my price range) and going form there.  It’s important to know how the leather is going to react to your playing style.  As you can see, Mizuno has offered up several styles and models for everyone’s budget and playing style.