Patent Publication Number: US-6668379-B2

Title: First baseman&#39;s mitt

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/867,084 filed May 29, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,389,601 which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/491,742 filed Jan. 27, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,382. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to gloves for the human hand which are worn when playing sports such as baseball, softball, and the like. In one aspect, this invention relates to a batting glove specifically designed to improve grip, comfort, protection, and performance of a wearer. However, this invention has broader implications and may be advantageously employed in other applications requiring protection of the hands. More particularly, this invention relates to a first baseman&#39;s mitt which includes additional padding in selected areas to provide additional protection of the hand during use by the wearer. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Glove construction for protection of the human hand is well known. In addition, there are a number of patents which teach gloves claimed to be particularly useful as batting gloves. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,175,226 teaches a dress glove construction which completely covers the fingers and which includes resiliently expandable materials in selected areas to accommodate hands of different sizes. In contrast, U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,122 teaches a protective glove which has a wrap around construction for a protective glove which leaves the thumb and fingers ends exposed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,609 teaches a protective glove which includes shock absorbing cells disposed at selected portions along the top of the glove. U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,980 teaches a hand glove with a polyurethane foam pad in the palm portion of the glove. Other references attempt to provide a sport glove for supporting and stabilizing the wrist and hand. Current gloves protect the bony prominence areas of the hand. Although hand protection from direct shocks and abrasions is found in gloves of the current art, what is needed is a batting glove which provides improved grip, comfort and performance by unloading bony prominences, unloading pulleys and tendons, and improving finger and knuckle motion of the hand of a wearer by providing preselected thicknesses of preselected materials specifically chosen to protect the wearer from injury from distributed shocks in hitting a ball with a bat, and the attendant risk of long-term injury to the aforementioned bones, ligaments, pulleys, tendons, etc., by repetitive swinging of bats and hitting of balls. 
     Also, first baseman&#39;s mitt for use in baseball and fast pitch softball are well known. These mitts are generally constructed wherein the mitts are of generally circular configuration with a cut-out between a portion to receive a thumb of a wearer and the fingers of a wearer with webbing disposed between the thumb section and the finger section. Mitts are generally constructed to include padding to protect the hand of the wearer. However, very little consideration has been given to specific anatomical portions of the human hands to protect those anatomical portions which are more susceptible to injury when the wearer receives a hard thrown ball. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In the development of gloves, several key elements are utilized in the design. First, on the dorsal side of the glove, the motion zones are determined by the center axis of rotation of the individual thumb, finger, hand, and wrist joints. These motion zones have been applied to specific joint locations for the particular uses of a designed glove. This helps the flexibility of the glove in relationship to its use. As such, the motion zones are selected in various combinations or even individually depending on the specific task or function of the glove. 
     Secondly, on the palm side of the glove there are additional motion zones. Again, these motion zones, which also function to decrease glove impedance and improve the breath-ability of the glove, are located specifically in relationship to the center axis of rotation of the finger joints. 
     Thirdly, again on the palm side of the glove, there are specific areas of padding. The location of the padding is determined by the bone and joint anatomy of the hand, fingers, and thumb. For the hand, the palm pad is placed above the center axis of rotation of the wrist (i.e., just above or distal to the hook of the hamate) and just below the center axis of rotation of the metacarpal heads. These bony landmarks are actually quite prominent in relationship to the surface of the hand. By placing the pads between the bony prominences, these areas of the hand are unloaded. The type of pad chosen for the palm is specific to its function. Other applications require some adjustments to the pad, but the basic premise still remains to unload the bony prominences of the hand in relationship to the required object to be held. 
     The pads for the fingers are placed again between the bony prominences of each specific finger bone (phalanx). The individual pads of the digits are placed over the relatively flat portion of the phalanx and as such, between the joints that are present on each side of the respective phalanx. The pad does not cover the area near the center axis of rotation. Again, this unloads these bony areas and leads to more even distribution of force across the digit. In other words, decreased areas of concentrated pressure, i.e, over the bony prominences and individual phalanxes will experience less discomfort. Of course, improved comfort leads to better grip and performance of the specific task in question. The pads on the fingers are placed over the proximal and middle phalanx of each digit. Because of the relative bony and flexor tendon pulley anatomy, these regions correlate with the A2 and A4 pulleys specifically. Furthermore, this placement allows for unrestricted motion of the various finger and hand joints by precisely keeping the pads away from the center axis of rotation (for each specific joint). Depending on the use of the glove, various combinations, or even independent use of these pads could be utilized in glove construction. Additionally, the pads may have different sizes and shapes depending on the application. However, the pads would still be centered primarily between the bony prominences and away from the center axis of rotation for each joint. 
     The pad for the thumb is placed between the bony prominences of the first phalanx, primarily on the lateral (side) region. Again, the pad is located above the center axis of rotation of the metacarpalphalangeal joint of the thumb and below the center axis of rotation of the interphalangeal joint of the thumb. Other applications to this pad placement are quite numerous. Even this pad could be an application in combination with all, some, one, or none of the finger and palm pads depending on the task. 
     Optionally, pads may also be placed over the distal phalanx of each digit, just beyond the bony prominences. This pad would be above (distal) the center axis of rotation of the distal interphalangeal joint of the respective finger. As such, three pads could be placed over each finger depending on the use required for the glove. 
     The motion zone for the wrist area is also determined by the center axis of rotation of the wrist joint. This allows for essentially full motion of the wrist, while at the same time, avoiding dislodgement of the glove from the player&#39;s hand. Not all gloves require or benefit from a wrist motion zone. However, a combination of the finger, thumb, hand, and wrist motion zones determined by the joints center axis of rotation may be utilized for various glove applications. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a batting glove which takes stress off of selected parts of the human hand. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a batting glove having preselected materials of construction in different areas of contact with the human hand. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a batting glove having preselected thicknesses of preselected materials of construction in different areas of contact with the human hand. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a batting glove which uses different materials to allow wrist motion, unload bony prominences, improve finger and knuckle motion, and protect the back of the hand. 
     Also, an object of the present invention is to provide a first baseman&#39;s mitt which takes stress off of selected parts of the human hand when the mitt is in use. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a first baseman&#39;s mitt with additional padding added to selected areas of the mitt for protecting selected anatomical portions of the human hand. 
     In one aspect, the present invention provides a batting glove including preselected material in preselected thicknesses to fill in the soft spots surrounding the bony prominences of the hand, to unload the pulleys and tendons, and to take stress off of selected parts of the hand. Specifically, 2-Way SPANDEX® materials are used in the wrist motion zone of the glove; thin elastic material such as LYCRA® is used in the area of the finger joints and knuckles; synthetic material such as JANEC SUPER® is used in the area of the dorsal side of the fingers; a cabretta skin protective covering is used for selected parts of the hand, rubber foam protective padding is placed at selected contact areas, and soft padding such as terry cotton is placed inside the glove in selected areas. 
     More particularly, the present invention provides a baseball (softball) first baseman&#39;s mitt which includes a top portion and a bottom portion secured along outer peripheries of each portion to define a mitt body with an opening therebetween to receive a human hand with a thumb stall and a plurality of finger stalls for receiving a thumb and fingers of the human hand. A first and a second layer of protective padding is attached at selected areas along the index finger and the long finger, these selected areas being defined by the location of anatomical parts of the human hand when inserted into the mitt. The first and the second layer of padding includes a first area adapted to be above and a second area adapted to be below the center axis of rotation of a metacarpalphalangeal joint of the index finger. The first layer of protective padding, which is usually a slow release polyurethane foam or another slow release type foamed material, also includes an extension of the first area to include an area above and an area below the center axis of rotation of a proximal interphalangeal joint and the distal interphalangeal joint of an index finger as well as the areas above and below the center axis of rotation of the metacarpalphalangeal joint, the proximal interphalangeal joint, and the distal interphalangeal joint of the long finger. Other areas of the first layer of protection may be added above the center axis of rotation of the wrist and just below the center axis of rotation of the metacarpal heads. The second layer of protective padding, which is usually a foam rubber, neoprene, or other foamed elastomeric materials, is generally confined only to the areas above and below the center axis of rotation of the metacarpalphalangeal joint of the index finger. 
     It is realized that in describing the instant invention as a baseball first baseman&#39;s mitt, such term includes, for example, a softball first baseman&#39;s mitt as well. And, further objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts into several views. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A better understanding of the invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a bottom schematic anatomical view of the bones of a right-side human hand showing the palm-side details; 
     FIG. 1A is a bottom schematic anatomical palm-side view of the bones, and selected details of the pulleys and tendons of a right-side human hand; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of a batting glove of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the dorsal-side details and seen overlaying the skeletal structure of a right-dorsal-side human hand; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a batting glove of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the palm-side details and seen overlaying the skeletal structure of a right-palm-side human hand; 
     FIG. 3A is a bottom view of another batting glove of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing relevant palm-side details; 
     FIG. 4 is a radial side view of a batting glove of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing relevant details and seen overlaying the skeletal structure of a right-side human hand; 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded view of some of the major components of a batting glove of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a first baseman&#39;s mitt with selected portions of the human hand and padding used in the mitt shown in phantom lines; 
     FIG. 7 is a bottom schematic anatomical view of a left human hand showing the palm-side detail; 
     FIG. 7A is a bottom schematic anatomical side view of the bones and selected details of the pulleys and tendons of a left human hand; 
     FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a first preferred embodiment of a first baseman&#39;s mitt showing the location of a first layer of padding overlaying the skeletal structure of a left-palmar-side human hand inserted into the first baseman&#39;s mitt with a second layer of padding and the anatomical outline of the bones in a left human hand shown in phantom lines; 
     FIG. 8A is the bottom view of FIG. 8 with the first layer of padding removed; 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line  9 — 9  of FIG. 6 showing selected locations for protective padding in a first baseman&#39;s mitt; 
     FIG. 10 is a radial side view of a first baseman&#39;s mitt of the first preferred embodiment of FIG. 8 showing relevant details and seen overlaying the skeletal structure of a left human hand; 
     FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a second embodiment of a first baseman&#39;s mitt showing the location of a first layer of padding overlaying the skeletal structure of a left/palmar side human hand inserted in a mitt with a second layer of padding shown in phantom lines; and, 
     FIG. 11A is the bottom of FIG. 11 with the first layer of padding removed. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A. Batting Glove 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic anatomical view of the bones of a right human hand  10  looking at a palm  18  side. Shown are the radius  20 , ulna  21 , radiocarpal joint (RC)  23 ′, distal radio ulnar joint (DRUJ)  22 , wrist  12 , thumb  64 , index finger  65 , long finger  66 , ring finger  67 , and small finger  68 . The carpus  69  comprises eight carpal bones, seven of which are shown in FIG.  1  and includes the hamate bone  71  with its hook-like protrusion, the scaphoid  24 ′ and the lunate  25 . 
     The thumb  64  is comprised of the distal phalanx  51 , the interphalangeal joint (IP)  46 , proximal phalanx  41 , diaphysis of proximal phalanx  41 ′, metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  36 , metacarpal  31 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  26 . 
     The index finger  65  is comprised of the distal phalanx  60 , distal interphalangeal joint (DIP)  56 , middle phalanx  52 , proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP)  47 , proximal phalanx  42 , metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  37 , metacarpal  32 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  27 . 
     The long finger  66  is comprised of the distal phalanx  61 , distal interphalangeal joint (DIP)  57 , middle phalanx  53 , proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP)  48 , proximal phalanx  43 , metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  38 , metacarpal  33 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  23 . 
     The ring finger  67  is comprised of the distal phalanx  62 , distal interphalangeal joint (DIP)  58 , middle phalanx  54 , proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP)  49 , proximal phalanx  44 , metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  39 , metacarpal  34 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  24 . 
     The small finger  68  is comprised of the distal phalanx  63 , distal interphalangeal joint (DIP)  59 , middle phalanx  55 , proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP)  50 , proximal phalanx  45 , metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  40 , metacarpal  35 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  30 . 
     FIG. 1A shows the skeletal anatomy, pulley system, and flexor tendons of the thumb  64  and fingers  65 - 68  of the right hand  10 . The thumb  64  includes the flexor tendon (flexor pollicis longus)  200  and the three pulleys  220 - 224  of the thumb  64 ; an A1 pulley  220 , A2 pulley  222 , and A3 pulley  224 . The A2 pulley  222  is the most important for function and is attached to the proximal phalanx  41  of the thumb  64 . The respective pulleys  230 - 238  are also shown for each of the: index finger  65 , long finger  66 , ring finger  67 , and small finger  68 . Each finger  65 - 68  has five pulleys  230 - 238 ; an A1 pulley  230 , A2 pulley  232 , A3 pulley  234 , A4 pulley  236 , and A5 pulley  238 . The A2 pulley  232  and A4 pulley  236  are considered to be the most important for function. The A2 pulley  232  is attached to the proximal phalanx  42 - 45 . The A4 pulley  236  is attached to the middle phalanx  5220   55 . The A1 pulley  230  is near the MCP joint  37 - 40 , the A3 pulley  234  is near the PIP joint  46 - 50  and the A5 pulley  238  is near the DIP joint  56 - 59 . 
     The flexor tendons  202 - 208  are shown as one unit for each finger  65 - 68 , but actually there are two flexor tendons to each unit. They are the flexor digitorum superficialis and the flexor digitorum profundus (shown as one,  202 - 208 ). These tendons  202 - 208  travel underneath the pulleys  230 - 238  and the flexor digitorum profundus tendon attaches to the distal phalanx  60 - 63  of each finger  65 - 68 . The tendons  202 - 208  move back and forth below the pulleys  230 - 238 , via muscles (not shown) attached to the proximal end of the tendons. This movement of the tendon  202 - 208  produces finger  65 - 68  flexion. The pulleys  230 - 238  prevent the flexor tendons  202 - 208  from bowstringing or moving away from the bone with finger  65 - 68  flexion. If the pulleys  230 - 238  are damaged and no longer function, the tendons  202 - 208  will bowstring with a resultant significant loss of finger motion as well as grip strength. As such, pulleys  230 - 238 , especially the A2 pulley  232  and the A4 pulley  236 , are very important and must be preserved and protected as much as possible. As shown in FIG. 4, protective padding  102  for each finger  65 - 68  is placed in an anatomicaully designed fashion over the A2 and A4 pulley regions. When the A2 and A4 pulleys  232  and  236  are preserved, adequate finger  65 - 68  motion and grip strength is maintained. 
     In FIGS. 2-5, a preferred batting glove  80  is provided for either a right, left, or both human hand(s)  10 , as desired. A glove  80  for a left hand  10  utilizes symmetrical placement of the elements, materials, and thicknesses herein described. 
     FIG. 2 shows details of a dorsal side of a batting glove  80  to cover a human hand  10  and seen overlaying the skeletal structure and skin outline of a right-dorsal-side human hand  10 . 
     The batting glove  80  has a plurality of finger elements  82 , a thumb element  84 , a top portion  86 , and a lower portion  88  (see FIGS.  3 - 5 ), wherein the finger elements  82  cover fingers  65 - 68 . 
     The thumb element  84  covers a thumb  64 , and the top portion  86  covers a back side  16  of the hand  10 . The lower portion  88  covers the palm side  18  of the hand  10 . 
     An elastic band  90  is attached to the top portion  86  and to the lower portion  88 . The elastic band  90  includes a securing means in the form of a hook  92  and loop  94  fastener for retention above a human wrist  12 . 
     The top portion  86  includes elastic material  96 , preferably 2-WAY SPANDEX® in the vicinity of the wrist  12  out to the vicinity of the metacarpalphalangeal joints (MCP)  37 - 40  of the fingers  65 - 68  of the hand  10 . Additionally, a protective covering  98  is centrally located to cover the back side  16  of the hand  10 . 
     The finger elements  82  each include an upper portion  83  which includes synthetic material  100  with openings formed therein to receive thin elastic material  116  attached to cover the proximal interphalangeal joints (PIP)  47 - 50 , and the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP)  56 - 59  of each finger  65 - 68 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3, a lower portion  85  of the finger elements  82  includes protective covering  98 . In addition, protective padding  102  is affixed beneath the protective covering  98  and adjacent to the fingers  65 - 68 , in preselected areas. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, protective padding  102  and protective covering  98  cover the middle phalanx  52 - 55 —specifically the A4 pulley  236  region, and the proximal phalanx  42 - 45 —specifically the A2 pulley  232  region, of each finger  65 - 68 . Openings are formed in the lower portion  85  to receive thin elastic material  116  attached to cover the palm-side  18  of the proximal interphalangeal joints (PIP)  47 - 50 , and the distal interphalangeal joints (DIP)  56 - 59  of each finger  65 - 68 . 
     The thumb element  84  includes protective covering  98  which surrounds the distal phalanx  51 , metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  36 , proximal phalanx  41 , metacarpal  31 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  26  of the thumb  64 . As shown in FIG. 2, an opening is formed in the protective covering  98  to receive thin elastic material  116  attached to cover the interphalangeal joint (IP)  46  of the thumb  64 . Another opening is formed in the protective covering  98  over the metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  36  to receive thin elastic material  116 . As shown in FIGS. 2-5, a piece of protective padding  102 , which is itself covered by thin elastic material  116 , is affixed to an area on the thumb element  84  and centered on an ulnar border (inside) of the thumb  64  over the diaphysis of proximal phalanx  41 ′ of the thumb  64 . The diaphysis of proximal phalanx  41 ′ is found between the metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  36  and interphalangeal joint (IP)  46  of the thumb  64 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 3, the bottom portion  88  includes elastic material  96  in the vicinity of the wrist  12 . Out from the wrist  12  area, the bottom portion  88  includes protective covering  98  continuing out to the vicinity of the metacarpalphalangeal joints (MCP)  36 - 40  and located to cover the palm  18  of the hand  10 . A piece of protective padding  102  is affixed to a central palm  18  area underneath the protective covering  98  and placed at a preselected distance below a center axis of rotation of the metacarpalphalangeal joints (MCP)  37 - 40  and extending to a preselected distance above the hook of the hamate  71 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3A, another preferred embodiment of the batting glove  80  is similar to the glove  80  of FIG. 3, but is distinguished wherein a central portion  103  of the central palm  18  area is provided having no protective padding  102  and abutting two separate sections, a first section  105 , and a second section  107 . Both the first section  105  and the second section  107  include affixing protective padding  102  underneath the protective covering  98 . The central portion  103  includes protective covering  98 , but no protective padding  102 . When viewed as in FIG. 3A, an overall outline of the central palm  18  area is similar to that of the glove of FIG. 3, except that the central portion  103  appears to be relieved or depressed in relation to the first section  105  and the second section  107 . 
     Referring back to FIG. 3, a first web  120  is formed in the area where the thumb element  84  is in proximity to the index finger  65 . An additional piece of protective covering  98  (thereby creating a double thickness of protective covering  98 ) is affixed over the first web  120 . A piece of protective padding  102  covered by thin elastic material  116  is affixed over the additional piece of protective padding  98  over the first web  120  to cover an area which is contacted by protective padding  102  of the thumb element  84 . When the glove  80  is worn by a wearer, the bottom portion  88  contacts the remainder of the palm  18 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5, the bottom portion  88  is attached to the top portion  86  to enable an entire covering of the palm  18  and the back side  16  of the hand  10  along an outer periphery having at selected locations a plurality of finger openings  110 , a thumb opening  112 , and a main opening  130 . Second, third and fourth webs,  122 ,  124 , and  126 , respectively, are formed between adjacent fingers  65 - 68 . The finger elements  82  are fixedly attached to each of the finger openings  110 . The batting glove  80  further provides the finger elements  82  with elastic webbing material  104  affixed laterally therebetween beginning at a tip of the index finger  65  down to the second web  122 , running up to the long finger  66  and continuing likewise terminating at the tip of the small finger  68  just past the fourth web  126 . Soft padding  99  such as terry cotton is placed as desired inside of the batting glove to cover the thicker protective padding  102 , preferably in the areas of the palm  18  and pulleys of the fingers  65 - 68 , and to provide for the comfort of the wearer. 
     Materials used in manufacture are preselected to achieve various goals as follows: 
     Synthetic material  100 , such as, for example, JANEC SUPER® is used dorsally over the fingers  65 - 68  of the hand  10 ; 
     2-Way Elastic material  96 , such as, for example, 2-WAY SPANDEX® is used in motion zones of the hand  10  to allow glove  80  movement; 
     Thin elastic material  116 , such as, for example, LYCRA® is used to cover areas on the glove  80  based on centers of axes of rotation of all joints of the fingers  65 - 68  and thumb  64  of the hand  10 ; 
     Protective covering  98 , such as, for example, cabretta skin (Indonesian sheep skin) is used to provide for protection from abrasion and direct shock applied to the hand in gripping a bat (not shown) and hitting a ball (not shown) with the bat; and, Protection padding  102 , such as, for example, rubber foam of {fraction (1/16)}″ in thickness, is used to enhance a gripping surface of he fingers  65 - 68 , specifically the regions of the A2 pulley  232  and A4 pulley  236 , and in the palm  18  and first web  120  in order to reduce the most severe of shocks transmitted to the hand  10 . 
     The disclosure given is applicable not only to batting gloves, but also to gloves intended for use in various other activities such as, for example, golf, and working in the outdoors to include gardening. Protection for the hands  10  during use in such activities is achieved by measures such as, for example, varying quantity, placement, thickness, dimensions, and elastic qualities of pads, coverings, elastic materials and openings, as appropriate. 
     B. First Baseman&#39;s Mitt 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic anatomical view of the bones of a left human hand  410  looking at a palm side  418 . Shown are the radius  420 , ulna  421 , radiocarpal joint (RC)  423 ′, distal radio ulnar joint (DRUJ)  422 , wrist  412 , thumb  464 , index finger  465 , long finger  466 , ring finger  467 , and small finger  468 . Also shown is a carpus  469  which comprises eight carpal bones, seven of which are shown in FIG.  7 . This includes the hamate bone  471  with its hook-like protrusion, the scaphoid  424 ′ and the lunate  425 . 
     The thumb  464  is comprised of the distal phalanx  451 , the interphalangeal joint (IP)  446 , proximal phalanx  441 , diaphysis of proximal phalanx  441 ′, metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  436 , metacarpal  431 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  426 . 
     The index finger  465  is comprised of the distal phalanx  460 , distal interphalangeal joint (DIP)  456 , middle phalanx  452 , proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP)  447 , proximal phalanx  442 , metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  437 , metacarpal  432 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  427 . 
     The long finger  466  is comprised of the distal phalanx  61 , distal interphalangeal joint (DIP)  457 , middle phalanx  453 , proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP)  448 , proximal phalanx  443 , metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  438 , metacarpal  433 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  423 . 
     The ring finger  467  is comprised of the distal phalanx  462 , distal interphalangeal joint (DIP)  458 , middle phalanx  454 , proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP)  449 , proximal phalanx  444 , metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  439 , metacarpal  434 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  424 . 
     The small finger  468  is comprised of the distal phalanx  463 , distal interphalangeal joint (DIP)  459 , middle phalanx  455 , proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP)  450 , proximal phalanx  445 , metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  440 , metacarpal  435 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  430 . 
     FIG. 7A shows the skeletal anatomy, pulley system, and flexor tendons of the thumb  464  and fingers  465 - 468  of the left hand  410 . The thumb  464  includes the flexor tendon (flexor pollicis longus)  600  and the three pulleys  620 - 624  of the thumb  464 ; an A1 pulley  620 , A2 pulley  622 , and A3 pulley  624 . The A2 pulley  622  is the most important for function and is attached to the proximal phalanx  441  of the thumb  464 . The respective pulleys  630 - 638  are also shown for each of the: index finger  465 , long finger  466 , ring finger  467 , and small finger  468 . Each finger  465 - 468  has five pulleys  630 - 638 ; an A1 pulley  630 , A2 pulley  632 , A3 pulley  634 , A4 pulley  636 , and A5 pulley  638 . The A2 pulley  632  and A4 pulley  636  are considered to be the most important for function. The A2 pulley  632  is attached to the proximal phalanx  442 - 445 . The A4 pulley  636  is attached to the middle phalanx  452 - 455 . The A1 pulley  630  is near the MCP joint  437 - 440 , the A3 pulley  634  is near the PIP joint  446 - 450  and the A5 pulley  638  is near the DIP joint  456 - 459 . 
     The flexor tendons  602 - 608  are shown as one unit for each finger  465 - 468 , but actually there are two flexor tendons to each unit. They are the flexor digitorum superficialis and the flexor digitorum profundus (shown as one,  602 - 608 ). These tendons  602 - 608  travel underneath the pulleys  630 - 638  and the flexor digitorum profundus attaches to the distal phalanx  460 - 463  of each finger  465 - 468 . The tendons  602 - 608  move back and forth below the pulleys  630 - 638 , via muscles (not shown) attached to the proximal end of the tendons. This movement of the tendon  602 - 608  produces finger  465 - 468  flexion. Protective padding, as discussed hereinafter, is placed in an anatomically designed fashion over the A2 and A4 pulley regions. When the A2 and A4 pulleys  632  and  636  are preserved, adequate finger motion and grip strength is maintained. 
     In FIGS. 6,  8 ,  8 A,  9  and  10 , a first preferred baseball mitt  500  is provided for the left human hand, particularly useful for a player playing first base in both baseball and softball. The mitt  500  includes a top and bottom wall designated  502  and  504 , respectively, of suitable material, such as leather. The top and bottom walls are secured along the outer periphery of the mitt, usually by lacing. A webbing  501  is attached to the mitt body  508 , also in a conventional and well known manner. 
     A top panel member  510  is secured, usually by stitching, to the bottom wall  504  of the mitt  500  for covering the back of the hand. This panel member  510  is formed in the shape of a hand and in conjunction with the top wall  502  includes finger stalls  514 ,  516 ,  518 , and  520 , for receiving the fingers of a hand and a thumb stall  512  for receiving the thumb. It is realized that the finger stalls  514 ,  516 ,  518  and  520  may be separated individually or in some instances a plurality of the finger stalls may be provided in a single stall to receive a plurality of fingers therein. The finger stalls  514 ,  516 ,  518 , and  520  are designed for the location of the fingers of the human hand when inserted into the mitt  500 . 
     Panel member  510  is usually a flexible sheet material, such as leather, and may comprise a plurality of pieces sewn together or may be of unitary construction and sewn together to form the stalls with a hand opening  536  (FIG. 6) in which the hand may be inserted between the top panel member  510  and the top wall  502  with the fingers being received in the finger stalls  514 ,  516 ,  518 ,  520  and the thumb in the thumb stall  512 . 
     In the first preferred mitt as shown in FIGS. 8-10, a first layer of padding, which is generally a slow release polyurethane foam or other slow release type foamed material, is positioned to overlie at least a first area above and a second area below the center axis of rotation of the metacarpalphalangeal joint of the index finger. As shown in FIG. 8, the first layer of padding is shown in two areas, identified by the numerals  522   a  and  522   b . Area  522   b  overlies the distal half of the index finger and long finger metacarpals  432 ,  433 . Area  522   b  of the first layer of padding does not extend over the distal ends of the metacarpal  432 ,  433  which is adjacent the metacarpalphalangeal joints  437 ,  438  (FIG. 7) as this area defines a primary motion zone  532 . Also, as shown in FIG. 8, area  522   a  of the first layer of padding overlies the proximal phalanxes  442  and  443  of the index and long finger as well as the middle phalanxes  452  and  453  of the index and long fingers excluding the proximal interphalangeal joints  447 ,  448  (FIG. 7) which defines a secondary motion zone  534 . Area  522   a  of the first layer of padding also extends over the distal phalanxes  460  excluding distal interphalangeal joints  456 ,  457  (FIG. 7) which defines a tertiary motion zone  536 . Padding for the mitt in the first layer  522   a ,  522   b  is generally about ¼″ (5 to 10 mms.) thick and the second layer  530   a ,  530   b , usually a foam rubber, neoprene, or other foamed elastomeric material is about ⅛″ (3 to 5 mms.) thick, as best shown in FIG.  9 . Moreover, a bottom panel  502   a  is provided to hold the two layers of padding in place. 
     As shown in FIG. 10, the first layer of protective padding  522   a  and  522   b , for the fingers  465  and  466 , is placed in an anatomically designed fashion over the A1, A2 and A4 pulley regions with the primary, secondary and tertiary motion zones  532 ,  534  and  536 , respectively, being left free. The second layer of protective padding  530   a  and  530   b  for the fingers  465  and  466  is placed in an anatomically designed fashion over the A1 and A2 pulley regions with the primary motion zone  532  being left free. This enables the movement of the fingers and thumb without any adverse effects in use as a first baseman&#39;s mitt. 
     As shown in FIGS. 11 and 11A, a second embodiment of a mitt of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment the first layer of padding is shown overlaying the same pulley regions as in FIGS. 8 and 8A thereby leaving the primary, secondary and tertiary motion zones  532 ,  534  and  536 , respectively, free of padding. The difference in this embodiment from the one shown in FIGS. 8,  8 A is the second layer of padding  530  overlies the A1 and A2 pullies and is cut in the shape of a “doughnut” with the cut-out in the “doughnut” excluding the metacarpalphalangeal joint  437  leaving the primary motion zone  532  free of padding. Again this enables the movement of the fingers and thumb without any adverse effects in the use as a first baseman&#39;s mitt. 
     The detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom for modifications will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.