How to Break In a Baseball Glove

When you buy a new baseball glove, the first thing that you need to do is break in the glove. The leather in the palm of the baseball glove needs to be softened to help the person be able to catch a baseball easier. When you break in a baseball glove you are training the glove to grip the baseball firmly but to also provide an easy access for you to get the baseball out of your glove easily. Here is how you can break in a new baseball glove.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baseball glove
• Baseball glove oil
• Baseball
• Large rubber bands

1. Rub some baseball glove oil (or any other oil that is designated for leather care) into the palm of the baseball glove. Work the oil into the glove using your fingers.

2. Rub some more oil into the crease in the palm that extends to the heel of the baseball glove. Make sure to rub it in well.

3. Put your hand in the baseball glove and flex it back and forth. Close the baseball glove using your other hand on the outside to ensure that it folds correctly along the crease.

4. Place a baseball in the webbed pocket of the baseball glove. Secure the glove around the shape of the baseball by placing rubber bands around the outside of the baseball glove.

5. Place the baseball glove under something heavy such as a stack of books or under your mattress when you sleep on it. Wrap the glove in a towel or old t-shirt so that the oil from the baseball glove doesn't get on the books or mattress.

6. Use the glove to play catch with often. The best way to ensure that the baseball glove is broken in properly is to break it in by playing catch with it

7. Continue to sleep on your baseball glove or place it under heavy books for several days until you find that the glove opens and closes easily for you.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to break in your baseball glove before you use it in an actual baseball game. Aim for at least a week of performing the above steps before the baseball glove will be broken in properly.