Baseball gloves take time to break in, and players often seek methods to break them in faster. Tactics used to speed the break-in process may damage to the leather and shorten the life of your glove, making it important to proceed with caution to get your new glove game ready.
Soften the Leather
New gloves come with very stiff leather, making it difficult to close the glove. Water tends to dry leather out, so avoid putting a water-based product on your glove. Use an oil derivative on your glove, such as petroleum jelly. Alternatively try mink oil, saddle soap, neatsfoot oil or lanolin oil. To apply, place a thin layer over the entire glove and wipe the excess off. Let the glove sit overnight to allow the oil to soak in. Do this after each season to help increase the life of the glove.
Form a Pocket
Place a baseball in the pocket and tie it shut with a shoestring or belt. Whenever you are not playing with the glove, put the ball in it and tie it up. You can also put a ball in the glove and place it under your mattress when you are sleeping or place it under a couch cushion where you are sitting.
Loosen the Glove
Play lots of catch. The ball will help loosen the laces of the glove and make it easier to close. If you do not have a partner to play catch with, go to a batting cage and catch balls instead of hitting them.
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