From Layoff to League Leader ThumbPRO Redefines PlayerProtection

By Robert White, Editor-In-Chief

When Craig First was laid off from his engineering job just weeks before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the future felt uncertain. With a family to support and a career on pause, many

would have taken time to regroup. But for this lifelong baseball enthusiast, adversity sparked innovation. What started as a personal solution to a painful problem is now ThumbPRO®—the #1 thumb guard trusted by pro along with all levels of baseball and softball players around the globe.

Like many great products, ThumbPRO® was born from necessity. First, an ardent baseball fan and engineer by trade, knew the toll that repeated impact and grip pressure could take on a hitter’s hands—particularly the vulnerable thumb. With no outside investment and no connections in the sports gear industry, he went to work. What began as sketches and prototypes built in a garage quickly evolved into a high-performance, ergonomic thumb guard designed to protect hitters from jamming, impact, and injury—without compromising feel or swing mechanics. The journey from concept to market demanded relentless trial and error, ingenuity, and grit.

ThumbPRO® is engineered for comfort, durability, and performance. Its sleek, ambidextrous design accommodates both left- and right-handed hitters, offering a custom feel that sets it apart from bulkier alternatives. The product is now a staple in dugouts and batting cages everywhere, from youth leagues to the World Series stage. Yes—players from teams in the World Series were seen wearing ThumbPRO®. The brand’s secret?

Listening to athletes. From rising high school talent to pro players at the top of their game, feedback has shaped ThumbPRO® at every stage. Coaches and trainers have also embraced the guard for its role in

injury prevention, helping athletes stay healthy and perform at their best through long seasons and hard swings.

True to the founder’s values, ThumbPRO® is proudly manufactured 100% in the USA. That decision wasn’t just about quality control—it was about honoring the community that supported his journey and ensuring the product met the highest standards in sports protection. Launching in a niche category during a global crisis came with challenges. Supply chain uncertainty, limited market access, and consumer hesitancy all tested the brand’s resolve. But through it all, ThumbPRO® grew—from a hand-built prototype to a respected name in baseball innovation.

Today, ThumbPRO® is more than just gear. It’s a symbol of resilience, passion, and progress. The brand is helping shape conversations around safety in youth sports, advocating for better protection and smarter training practices. Parents are reporting fewer hand injuries. Trainers are seeing better outcomes. And athletes? They’re swinging with more confidence. With expansion into retail and new training partnerships on the horizon,ThumbPRO® is just getting started.

In an arena where seconds matter and injuries linger, pro athletes don't settle for second best. That’s why ThumbPRO® has become the trusted thumb protection of elite hitters. From garage to global, First’s journey is a masterclass in bootstrapped brilliance—a true startup success story that’s redefining sports equipment for the better. Whether you're coaching a youth athlete

or swinging for the fences, ThumbPRO® delivers the edge every athlete deserves.

To learn more or order your own, visit: www.baseballthumbguard.com