There was actually a time long ago when people just assumed that boys (who were of course right-handed) played baseball, and that’s it.
But then, lefties came out to play as well. Then softball became more popular, and there were even two types called fast pitch and slow pitch softball.
Women soon become interested in the ball game, and even girls started showing up for summer time fun.
A Quick Look at the Features of the Akadema ATS77 Fastpitch Series Glove
No proper Akadema ATS77 review would neglect the various features, so let’s list them all:
- It comes in a Reptilian pattern measuring 12.5 inches.
- It features a B-hive web design.
- It comes with an open back and uses the Grasp-Clasp wrist system.
- It offers a deep pocket.
- It’s available for right hand or left hand throw.
Why Choose the Akadema ATS77?
Now that we’ve seen the features, what do they mean? Why exactly do we pick the Akadema ATS77 Reptilian Series than another glove? Here are some of the reasons why:
- It was designed by Crystl Bustos. Bustos is one of the most famous names in US softball history, and her nickname is The Big Bruiser.
This straight-talking hitter is a prodigy, with two gold (and a silver) medals in the Olympics from 2000 to 2008 (and also holds the Olympic record for most home runs in a series), 3 gold medals at the Pan American Games from 1999 to 2007, and a gold medal at the at the 2006 ISF World Championship games.
She was the designated hitter but she sometimes played third base. It was Bustos who designed this glove, and she used it on the field as well.
The deep pocket makes it more apt for fast pitch softball. The reason why you can’t use any baseball glove for softball is that the ball is bigger in softball. In baseball the circumference is no more than 9.25 inches.
In softball, the ball is significantly larger, ranging from 11.88 and 12.13 inches in circumference.
So to accommodate that size, you need a deeper pocket for your glove, and that’s what you get from the Akadema ATS77.
You can catch the ball more cleanly and get it out more smoothly when you take the ball out of the glove to throw.
The webbing also hides the ball, so they’re great for pitchers too. Hitters can’t see how the pitcher is holding the ball so they can’t anticipate the kind of pitch coming next.
If you’re playing multiple positions in defense, this is a very convenient glove to own.
You won’t need a different glove whether you’re the short stop or the right fielder.
The closed web offers more support for outfielders too. The padding also helps you feel more confident even when catching line drives
It’s designed for the ladies. Now political correctness aside, in general (but obviously not in every case), women and girls have smaller hands and thinner fingers than their male counterparts.
What this means is that a standard boy’s glove may be too big.
But in the Akadema ATS77 Reptilian Series, the stalls for the fingers are designed with the small and thinner fingers of ladies in mind. Obviously Bustos didn’t forget for whom she was designing the glove.
The Grasp-Clasp Wrist System offers a lot of assistance. This system help make sure you practice proper catching mechanics out in the field.
It’s easy to forget sometimes when you’re stressed out and nervous, and the system reminds your hands of what to do.
There’s a shorter distance between the thumb and index finger. That makes the glove much easier to manage.
That shorter distance enables you to grasp the ball more firmly and quickly, and it also allows you to open it fast so your throwing hand can get at the ball faster.
- It’s easy to break in. Softball gloves, like their baseball gloves counterparts, need to be broken in.
The Akadema ATS77 is made of leather after all, and constant use molds the leather to the precise shape and size of your hands. It also makes the movement of the glove flow more smoothly.
Now some baseball gloves tend to need a lot of time to break them in. But that’s not the case with the Akadema ATS77 Reptilian Series.
It doesn’t take all that long when its shape makes it seem like a natural part of your hand, and the leather fits around your hand and fingers—like a glove. It may feel stiff at first (as it should), but even just a week of constant use will break it in quite nicely.
It’s very comfortable to wear. Part of that is the nice weight, and another reason for this is that the inside feels nice and soft.
In addition, the wrist strap allows you to adjust the tightness of the glove at the wrist, so you can set it where you feel most comfortable
Should You Buy One?
If you’re a parent of a daughter who plays fast pitch softball (and who isn’t a catcher), then yes, you should. That’s the simple truth of the matter.
A lot of reviews written by parents have reported that their daughter just loves the Akadema ATS77.
They don’t just “like” them or think they’re nice. Once they use Akadema ATS77 Reptilian Series they just don’t want to use anything else.
Players say that they love its feel, and that they have improved their fielding because of it. Parents also love that it can last for a very long while, until their daughter out grows it.
There are several drawbacks, but they’re very minor. The price is something that some people balk at, as it can cost anywhere from $100 to $120.
And because it’s such a great glove, the Akadema ATS77 is one glove that “gets lost” the most often.
But if you’re serious about you or your daughter doing well in fast pitch softball, then just get the Akadema ATS77 Fast Pitch Series Glove.
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API