A brand new baseball glove may look flawless, with the leather looking shiny and soft. This is an illusion--a new baseball glove is typically stiff and not quite ready to catch a baseball in the field. There are a number of techniques that can facilitate the breaking in of a baseball glove.
Step 1
Leave the glove out in the sun for half an hour or so. Baseball gloves are made from leather, which is filled with pores; the heat naturally opens up the pores in leather.
Step 2
Apply a little conditioner or oil onto a small part of the glove. This should be made specifically for baseball gloves (for example, Glove Stuff). A few small drops should do. Use a rag to rub the conditioner or oil into the chosen portion of the glove.
Step 3
Observe how well your glove absorbs the conditioner or oil. You want the substance, rubbed lightly onto the surface of the glove, to absorb easily. The goal is to apply conditioner or oil without exposing the glove to excess moisture. If the conditioner or oil takes more than a few minutes to absorb and disappear, you've probably put on too much. Wipe off any excess.
Step 4
Apply conditioner or oil, using the rag, to the rest of the glove, based on your observations in Step 3. Allow the glove to absorb it completely.
Step 5
Play catch often. This is the best way to stretch out the web of your baseball glove, which will be initially tight.
Step 6
Wrap a baseball in the pocket of your glove whenever the glove is not in use. Wrap it tightly using a soft rope or a shirt. This will help shape your glove around a ball as the glove stretches.
Things You'll Need
- Glove conditioner or oil
- Baseball
- Soft rope or shirt
Member Comments