A good baseball glove should last many years, even if it is used often. But not understanding proper mitt care can lead to a much shorter lifespan for the glove. This is a shame because a well-broken-in baseball mitt takes a long time to replace. It behooves baseball players to learn proper baseball mitt care so they can keep those well-worn gloves in commission for many, many years.
Saving the Mitt
Step 1
Put on a batting glove. This batting glove will act as a shield between your hand and the inside of the baseball mitt. This is crucial, since moisture is one of the major factors in glove deterioration. The batting glove will protect the inside of the mitt from your hand's sweat. If you've played baseball a lot, you know that the hand in the glove can sweat profusely. A batting glove negates the harm that moisture can cause to the inside of your mitt. Have an extra batting glove around in case, half-way through a game, your original batting glove is soaked with sweat.
Step 2
Put on your baseball mitt over the batting glove.
Step 3
Don't spit in your glove. This deserves its own step because spitting in the glove has become a baseball tradition. The truth is, saliva delivers moisture to the baseball mitt, which breaks down the leather.
Step 4
Dry your glove off with a towel. After playing in the rain or exposing the glove to moisture, always dry the glove off with a towel. Allow the glove to air-dry afterward for several hours.
Step 5
Apply a little mitt oil, such as Glove Stuff or some other made-for-mitts oil, to the glove once it has completely dried on its own. Do not use much. Overuse can soften the leather too much, leading to tearing or ripping later. You are simply replacing a little of the glove's softness after the drying process has caused it to become a stiff.
Step 6
Tighten the gloves laces. Whenever the glove feels loose, tighten the knots of the mitt's laces. This will keep the glove's fit nice and tight.
Step 7
Store your glove out of the sun in a cool place. Along with moisture, the greatest threat to a baseball mitt comes in the form of heat. Leaving your glove out on the grass for a few days is the fastest way to wear it down. Be sure to put your glove away, out of the sun and, preferably, someplace cool, whenever it is not in use.
Things You'll Need
- Batting glove
- Baseball glove
- Towel
- Mitt oil
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