Baseball mitts are made from a variety of materials, including leather, plastic and vinyl. Synthetic mitts are a good choice for young players who are growing quickly or are inexperienced at the game, and are usually relatively inexpensive. Leather mitts are traditionally a studier option chosen by more experienced players; however, leather mitts require softening. Softening a baseball mitt helps to mold the glove to the player's hand, and aids in breaking in the leather. Purchase a high-quality baseball mitt made from full grain leather or steer hide. Good mitts will last longer and require fewer repairs than lower-quality ones.
Step 1
Apply lotion to the mitt. A popular choice of lotion used to soften mitts is shaving oil, but other products like Vaseline, mink oil and saddle soap work great too. Ideally, find a product that contains lanolin, as this tends to provide optimal results. Take a very small amount of your lotion of choice, and using a clean cloth rub the lotion into all the cracks and crevices of the mitt. Let the mitt rest overnight.
Step 2
Mold the pocket. Wipe out any remaining lotion or oil from the mitt with a soft cloth, then go play a game of catch. This helps to mold the mitt to your particular catching style. After the mitt has been broken in a bit, put a baseball in the pocket of the mitt. Tie the mitt shut tightly using a shoelace, string or rope.
Step 3
Play catch every day. This will wear in the leather and allow it to form to your hand. In the evenings, tie it up with the baseball in the pocket to improve the mitt's form. Do this every night for a couple of weeks.
Things You'll Need
- Lotion containing lanolin
- Shoelace/string/rope
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