Catchers mitt, open vs. closed web.

Question
My daughter needs a good mitt.  She catches for an 18 under select league and plays high school ball.  She would like the open laces in the pocket.  Is this best?

Answer
Hello Debi,
Thank you for your question.  Picking out a catcher's mitt (mitts don't have fingers; gloves have fingers) is a tough decision, isn't it?  I've included two links with informative articles about mitts and gloves.  Please do further educate yourself about them by doing your own internet searches and by talking with other catchers who are playing high level ball.  Just make sure that whatever mitt you end up purchasing FITS!  What good is a mitt that won't stay on your daughter's hand during a steady dose of fastballs in the dirt or a hard slide at the plate?

Finally, to answer your question!  You are actually inquiring about an open vs. closed WEB, not pocket; the pocket is the part of the mitt over the palm.  Although entirely a subjective matter, open webs are the consensus choice for catchers, for three reasons:
1.  They allow the catcher to get the ball out of the mitt more quickly.
2.  They allow the catcher, in bright low sunlight coming from center field, to block out the sun while still viewing action through the web's openings.  
3.  On scooped pitches in thick dust, they allow the dust to escape, leaving just the ball in the web.

Hope this helps, Scott Kelly

http://www.hitrunscore.com/softball-glove-buyers-guide.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?A-High-Quality-Softball-Catchers-Mitt---What-to-Look-F...