Choosing a baseball glove involves a myriad decisions that range from web designs, sizes and leather types. The type of leather you choose for your glove will ultimately determine glove break-in time. But the break-in period should only be one of your considerations when choosing the best glove for you.
Break-in Basics
Break-in period refers to the amount of time it takes to soften a glove and develop a "pocket." The pocket is the natural space formed inside the glove when it is closed. This space will be the size of the ball used by the player, a baseball or softball. Gloves are broken in through a combination of frequent play and applications of leather conditioner meant to soften the glove so that it can mold to a player's hand and to the ball.
Break-in Speed
The time it takes to break in a glove is directly proportional to the quality of the leather used in the glove. Higher quality gloves are made from thicker leather. The three most common types of leather are top grain, premium hide and full grain. Top grain is the most common leather in baseball gloves and is the thinnest of all the leather types, offering the quickest break-in period. Premium hide is thicker than top grain and requires a slightly longer break-in period. Full grain is the thickest glove leather and requires the longest break-in period. Thicker gloves require longer break-in periods because it takes longer for the oils and conditioning agents to penetrate the thicker material.
Durability
One of the considerations when choosing a glove for its break-in qualities is the relationship between break-in and durability. Thicker leathers, which break in more slowly, are of a higher quality and ultimately last much longer. Thinner leathers break in faster, but you will have to replace them more often; a practice which might ultimately cause you to spend more time breaking in gloves. The best glove for you will offer the right balance of durability and break-in speed.
Tips
Some gloves will come pre-oiled from the factory. This process is made to help speed up the break-in period. Regardless of whether your glove is pre-oiled, you will need to break it in. Breaking a glove in properly will help increase its life span. Break in a glove by applying a quality leather conditioner to the leather with clean rag. After the conditioner is applied, place a ball in the glove and wrap it up with string or a rubber band for storage. Repeat as necessary until the glove is broken in. Always store the glove with a ball in the pocket, especially in the offseason.
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