How to String a Baseball Glove

Baseball gloves are more than just a tool for a baseball player. Baseball gloves have been known to become like intimate friends. Players will keep their favorite glove next to them, taking them to class and to bed. But when the lacing on a baseball glove becomes frayed and worn, the glove can become unusable. Rather than disposing of such an important friend, learning how to restring your baseball glove can prolong its life.

Things You'll Need

• Stringing needle
• Needle nose pliers
• Diagonal cutters
• Video camera
• Baseball

Instructions

1. Pick a section of the glove you want to string first. There are several leather strings that hold a baseball mitt together, and the number varies with the kind of glove it is. For example, a catcher's mitt can have more strings than a shortstop's mitt. Generally, there are webbing strings, finger strings and strings around the bottom of the glove.

2. Remove the old string, recording the path of your string with the video camera. A cell phone camera is fine. You might be able to retrace the path of the string from memory, but you'll appreciate having a video backup in case you forget. Use needle nose pliers if needed to pull the string.

3. Cut any knots in the old strings with diagonal cutters. You'll find knots at the ends of the strings.

4. Retrace the path of the old string by putting in the new leather string. For each hole in the mitt, place the stringing tool through the hole. The stringing tool has a hole in the end of it. Place the leather string through the hole in the tool, and then pull the tool through the hole in the mitt.

5. Continue with this process until you have replaced all of the strings.

6. Tie the knots between the strings to replace the knots that you cut. Refer to your video recording if you can't remember where the knots were. Use diagonal cutters to cut the extra lengths of leather string protruding from the knots.

7. Test your glove by throwing a baseball into the webbing and throwing the baseball straight up into the air and catching it. Play a game of catch.

Tips & Warnings

• After a few days of playing with your newly strung glove, tighten the leather strings again, which will loosen until the leather is weathered.

• Use caution when using diagonal cutters so you don't cut through any skin.

Resources

• Baseball Rules