Time to play ball. Starting the baseball season with a new mitt is tough without first breaking it in. If you have a synthetic glove, you may not need to do anything. But if you have a traditional leather mitt, you will need to spend time softening it up and forming the pocket. Over the years, several different techniques have been known to help the process. And they all have their own unique ways of getting the job done.
Baseball
Using a baseball to break in a new mitt seems to make the most sense. Take the mitt outside and play catch with someone. The more you use the mitt, the more broken in it will be. If there is no one around to play catch, you could go to the batting cages and catch balls from the pitching machine. Or try placing a baseball in the pocket and tying the mitt closed with string. Leave it sitting for a few days. The leather should form around the shape of the ball.
Oil
Some baseball players may say that oil will deteriorate your mitt, but others will say it is the best way to soften up the leather. Rubbing the leather with oil will help loosen up the mitt and help you form it around your hand and a baseball. Try not to use too much oil, which can affect the glove's long-term durability. Many sporting goods stores and baseball mitt companies sell specific oils made for breaking in a mitt. You could also try using baby oil or Vaseline.
Oven
Putting your glove in the oven seems like a crazy thing to do at first. But many baseball players will tell you that heat is the best way to break in a baseball mitt. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and then turn the oven off once that temperature is met since constant heat is not necessary. Place your glove on a cookie sheet and slide it into the oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Watch it closely to make sure it does not catch fire. Then take it out and let it cool around a baseball. The leather should be soft and broken in. You could also try the microwave. Just be careful not to leave it in there too long. A couple of minutes should be enough. And do not heat up a glove that has been treated with oils or any other substances.
Shaving Cream
If your mitt is real leather and not suede or vinyl, you could try breaking it in by using shaving cream. Grab a 5-gallon bucket and empty a can of foam-style shaving cream into it. Put a baseball in the pocket of your mitt and place them into the bucket of shaving cream. Now take a second can of foam-style shaving cream and completely cover the glove, emptying the entire can. Let the whole thing sit overnight. The next day, most of the shaving cream will probably be gone. Place the glove somewhere it can sit untouched to dry for one to two days.
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