ASF441 Prosoft Select Series

My son plays the AC98 Akadema Prodigy glove for travel ball. He is about the turn 12 and his hand grew too large for it, thus we purchased the ASF441.The glove is well made and the durability appears to be on par with an A2000. My son likes Akadema gloves because of unique web which restricts the ball to the pocket without moving. The stress wedge helps with the sting of pitches and the glove shape has helped prevent from being thumbed.Break in is as any catcher's mitt is. It is stiff out of the box, but no different than any other catcher mitt. We used the hot water method and mallet work followed by catching. We didn't see any difference in break in time. The glove should last.I'm not sure why other reviews complain about the product being made in China considering Rawlings, Wilson, and All-Star are made there or somewhere other than the US.

I’d be surprised if this glove will ever be soft & loose enough for my son to use. It’s going to take a loooong time before that happens, if ever. It’s heavy too. My husband has been beating it and oiling it and using cream conditioner with not much luck. So bummed. Too expensive for it to be this stiff.

I was stoked about this glove, as a contender for my boy (12u). I like the design, and USA based company... but..... I don't like the made in China sticker I pulled off it. I won't trust this glove for the level of play we need. But, likely a good beginner to intermediate.