Sliding mitts are baseball's 'must-have,' even if at youth levels, they're all fashion, no function. Story by WILL GRAVES ... Youth sports have bounced back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Youth ballplayer Grayson Cole, left, waits for his game to get underway with his Savannah Banana sliding mitt in his back pocket on April 27, 2025 in Monroeville, Pa. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) By ...

Youth ballplayer Grayson Cole, left, waits for his game to get underway with his Savannah Banana sliding mitt in his back pocket on April 27, 2025 in Monroeville, Pa. Credit: AP/Gene J. Puskar By ...

He first took notice of sliding mitts when his son Braydon, then 10, pointed out one of his teammates had one and said basically, “Oh hey dad, wouldn't it be nice if I had one, too.” ...

Youth ballplayer Josiah Jones bats during a youth baseball game in Monroeville, Pa., with his sliding mitt in his back pocket on April 27, 2025. AP Photo | Gene J. Puskar.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Andrew McCutchen hasn't had the conversation with his 7-year-old son Steel yet, but the Pittsburgh Pirates star knows it's probably coming at some point.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Andrew McCutchen hasn't had the conversation with 7-year-old son Steel yet, but the Pittsburgh Pirates star knows it's probably coming at some point.

Sliding mitts are baseball’s ‘must-have,’ even if at youth levels, they’re all fashion, no function. ... Youth sports have bounced back from the COVID-19 pandemic.