Rawlings is a well-known manufacturer of sporting equipment and has been selling baseball gloves since 1877. It offers a range of products from inexpensive, low-end gloves to pricey custom gloves. Each Rawlings glove is partially broke in at the factory and it is up to the player to finish the break-in process.
Step 1
Rub in a small amount of Rawlings Glovolium to coat the glove surface and prepare it for the breaking in process. Glovolium is an inexpensive glove treatment product manufactured by Rawlings to soften, clean and preserve the glove. The company website states that shaving cream with lanolin will also work for this step. Coat the entire glove, starting with the palm area and working outward.
Step 2
Place the glove in a dry spot and allow it to dry naturally. Do not attempt to speed up the process by applying heat.
Step 3
Play catch with the glove after it has dried. The longer you play catch, the better the glove will conform to your hand.
Step 4
Apply another thin coat of Rawlings Glovolium to the glove. Do not use shaving cream for this step.
Step 5
Place a ball inside the glove pocket. Rawlings recommends using a softball to increase the pocket size. Close the glove and tie a string or use a rubber band to hold the glove shut. Leave the glove like this until you are ready to play catch again.
Step 6
Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until the glove feels broken in. The more the glove is used, the faster the break-in process will go.
Tips and Warnings
- When the glove is not in use, keep a ball in it to prevent it from losing its shape and becoming flat. At least a couple times a year, use Rawlings Glovolium on the glove to keep it clean and conditioned. Check the estimated break in time for your glove. All Rawlings gloves have a rating that shows the percentage of time and effort required to finish breaking in the glove. The percentages range from 30 percent factory/70 percent player to 80 percent factory/20 percent player. The higher the player percentage, the longer it will take to finish breaking in the glove.
- Never submerge a Rawlings glove in water. This will not speed up the break-in process and will ruin the leather.
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