Reticulated digit shield for protective sports glove

A protective sports glove, comprising:

• a thumb receiving portion, said thumb receiving portion comprising a fabric layer disposed on a front side of said thumb receiving portion, padding disposed on a back side of said thumb receiving portion, and a digit shield engaged there between, said digit shield further comprising
• a chassis defining an arcuate channel having a longitudinal axis, said chassis comprising at least two discrete portions inclusive of a proximal portion and a distal portion in cooperative alignment along said axis to form said channel between opposing longitudinal edges, said proximal and distal portions each further comprising a cooperatively aligned lateral edge extending between said opposing longitudinal edges, said proximal and distal portions separated by a gap between said lateral edges, and
• an elastomeric energy absorbing portion, said energy absorbing portion comprising
• a perimeter portion affixed along at least a portion of said longitudinal edges of said channel to form on a first longitudinal edge a first hinge and on a second longitudinal edge a second hinge, said first and second hinges rotatably joining said distal portion to said proximal portion;
• wherein said distal portion is permitted to rotate about said first and second hinges from a home position in a first direction but is substantially prevented from rotating about said first and second hinges from said home position in a second direction.