Benefits of closed back, also called Fastback

Frisco Kid

Frisco Kid

Addicted to Metal
Hi guys, I know pretty much nothing about gloves, I just know how to catch with them (most of the time, anyway :D)...

All the gloves I've ever owned have had open backs. Can someone tell me what the benefits/differences are of a closed back/fastback?

Thanks in advance!
 
Cuda13

Cuda13

Addicted to Softballfans
The open back gives you more flexibility in the hand/ wrist are which I like for the infield. The fastback design really snugs your hand into the glove and gives you a stiffer feel. For certain positions I would see where the closed back would be beneficial but I am so used to the open back I am reluctant to change as I narrow down my model choices, hopefully by the 31st for the sunglasses deal. I am curious abount the feel of Vinci's modified open back though.
 
Frisco Kid

Frisco Kid

Addicted to Metal
Cuda13 said:
The open back gives you more flexibility in the hand/ wrist are which I like for the infield. The fastback design really snugs your hand into the glove and gives you a stiffer feel. For certain positions I would see where the closed back would be beneficial but I am so used to the open back I am reluctant to change as I narrow down my model choices, hopefully by the 31st for the sunglasses deal. I am curious abount the feel of Vinci's modified open back though.
Click to expand...

This is along the lines of what I was thinking, too. All I've ever used is open back, so I'm kinda hesitant to try a closed back.

Something like this, though, looks very interesting!

PJV16-Black-Backbig.jpg
 
Cuda13

Cuda13

Addicted to Softballfans
I have a closed back A2000 XXC that I bought years ago in case I ever played outfield. It really isn't broken in yet but is playable. I tried it in non-crucial times of some games but couldn't get comfortable with it. My hand sort of got claustraphobia. I can see over time you could get used to it but I would never use one at second or short, maybe third, first, and for sure outfield.
 
Frisco Kid

Frisco Kid

Addicted to Metal
Cuda13 said:
I have a closed back A2000 XXC that I bought years ago in case I ever played outfield. It really isn't broken in yet but is playable. I tried it in non-crucial times of some games but couldn't get comfortable with it. My hand sort of got claustraphobia. I can see over time you could get used to it but I would never use one at second or short, maybe third, first, and for sure outfield.
Click to expand...

I hear ya. One thing I'm concerned about, going from an open to a closed back, is that I use "the Claw" grip, or whatever it's called when you put the pinky and ring fingers into the pinky slot, your middle finger in the next slot, and your index finger rests outside of the glove. With an open back, your index finger is free to rest wherever. With a closed back, because it's only got that one small hole in the back of the glove, your index finger doesn't have much room to move around. I don't know if this is going to be a problem or not...
 
E

escort1991

Active Member
"Fastback" and "Closed Flex Back" are 2 different types of closed backs.

The "Fastback" is:

picture.php


The above TJ1952-L prototype had this design to try out. It's suppose makes the glove more sturdy as it is 1 piece. Allows the glove to be longer, but still keep the rigidity. However, I feel you can not get as deep of pocket with this fastback as you can with other open backs.

Open backs have some flexibility to them. Both in the break in process and fielding area. Open backs allow the player to form the a little better than with a fastback. Also, the open back allows the glove to break a little better.

PJV16-Black-Backbig.jpg


Now, the Closed Flex Back like the PJV16 Frisco posted is sweet in itself. Once you use a Closed Flex Back glove, you can tell the difference between an open back and fastback design and it will be hard to go back to the open/fastback designs IMO. The Closed Flex Back flexes slightly when the ball hits the glove, reduces the impact the ball has on the glove and your hand, slows the rotation of the ball, and then allows the glove to close ALL the way around the ball. After using the Closed Flex Back on a consistent basis, I couldn't go back to an open or fastback glove. It took some time getting use to the closed back feel, but it was worth it. I also have dabbled with the 2 in the pinky and have gone back to straight up after going to the Closed Flex Back.

Take it for what it is worth to you. :D
 
Frisco Kid

Frisco Kid

Addicted to Metal
escort1991 said:
"Fastback" and "Closed Flex Back" are 2 different types of closed backs.

The "Fastback" is:

picture.php


The above TJ1952-L prototype had this design to try out. It's suppose makes the glove more sturdy as it is 1 piece. Allows the glove to be longer, but still keep the rigidity. However, I feel you can not get as deep of pocket with this fastback as you can with other open backs.

Open backs have some flexibility to them. Both in the break in process and fielding area. Open backs allow the player to form the a little better than with a fastback. Also, the open back allows the glove to break a little better.

PJV16-Black-Backbig.jpg


Now, the Closed Flex Back like the PJV16 Frisco posted is sweet in itself. Once you use a Closed Flex Back glove, you can tell the difference between an open back and fastback design and it will be hard to go back to the open/fastback designs IMO. The Closed Flex Back flexes slightly when the ball hits the glove, reduces the impact the ball has on the glove and your hand, slows the rotation of the ball, and then allows the glove to close ALL the way around the ball. After using the Closed Flex Back on a consistent basis, I couldn't go back to an open or fastback glove. It took some time getting use to the closed back feel, but it was worth it. I also have dabbled with the 2 in the pinky and have gone back to straight up after going to the Closed Flex Back.

Take it for what it is worth to you. :D
Click to expand...

This is the knowledge I was seeking. Thank you, escort!!!!
 
T

tds

Addicted to Softballfans
i'd tried about 6 stock vincis this year (maybe a few more protos) and i'll say model for model the closed backs are much better. after using escorts closed back tj i could get used to my open tj. felt odd. i love the closed back tjs, pjvs, and bmbls
 
C

COBRARI

Addicted to Softballfans
I have never used an open back glove in all the years of playing softball.
If you watch the MLB players, it is pretty much 50/50.
What I do like with the flexable closed back (TJ1952-L) is that I swear to God, when you put in on your hand, you do NOT want to take it off.
It, the Vinci design anyway, is so comfortable that you will love it.

Now...after many years of playing the outfield with a 12.75", and then the TJ which is 13.5", I am craving the PJV16, which is 13". Don't need another glove but you lose all common sense after playing with a Vinci on your hand.

You know... "A man with two watches doesn't know what time it is".
I don't need another glove but that PJV16 is an outfielder's ultimate weapon.
Red, of course.
 
Frisco Kid

Frisco Kid

Addicted to Metal
COBRARI said:
I have never used an open back glove in all the years of playing softball.
If you watch the MLB players, it is pretty much 50/50.
What I do like with the flexable closed back (TJ1952-L) is that I swear to God, when you put in on your hand, you do NOT want to take it off.
It, the Vinci design anyway, is so comfortable that you will love it.

Now...after many years of playing the outfield with a 12.75", and then the TJ which is 13.5", I am craving the PJV16, which is 13". Don't need another glove but you lose all common sense after playing with a Vinci on your hand.

You know... "A man with two watches doesn't know what time it is".
I don't need another glove but that PJV16 is an outfielder's ultimate weapon.
Red, of course.
Click to expand...

Dammit. I don't need any more glove temptations right now!! GRRRR. :mad::D
 
travisdecpn

travisdecpn

Active Member
I'll put one more vote in there for a PJV16, best damn glove I've ever had the pleasure of owning and it's not even broken in yet. I have used Oeste gloves up until now, and they are no slouch either.
 
3

3B707

Addicted to Softballfans
I've been a fastback fan all my life. I play 3rd and I have traditionally liked the extra stiffness you get with the closed back. I tried on Frisco's JD73 today though and found it really comfortable. Thinking of picking up an open back to use as my backup/alternate go to glove. All that exposed lace in the I-Web made me a little nervous since I play in leagues with a lot of mashers, so I'm leaning toward a basket or an H-Web, but man I'm liking these Vinci's...you guys have me sold.
 
MaverickAH

MaverickAH

Well-Known Member
Escort gives a pretty good breakdown of the differences. What I would add to it is this:

The flex back design give you the stability of a fastback along with the flexibility of an open back. It's not a new design but Vinci just does it so damn well! Their's is so comfortable that it's easy to forget that you're wearing a closed back glove.

Think of it like this....... Close your hand in the same motion as catching a ball. Notice how your hand bends at the lower knuckles? Well the flex back is designed to bend in the exact same place. It affords you a more natural catching motion. IMHO, this is not a real issue in an OF glove but very important for an IF glove.

Even those who like to stick two in the pinky shouldn't have a issue with the design unless they like to have their index finger outside of the glove.
 
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