How to Break in Baseball Glove

A player needs to take some time to break in a new glove.

A new glove can represent a new challenge for a baseball player. It's always nice to get new equipment, but the player has to get used to the glove. This process, breaking in the glove, may change from player to player. However, there are some basic breaking in steps any baseball, or softball player should know.

Things You'll Need

• Baseball
• Glove oil

Instructions

1. Apply a small amount of glove oil to the inside of the glove. Use a sponge or cloth to rub the oil into the palm and then the web. After the treatment, let the glove sit in a warm area for at least a day. The oil should soften the leather inside the glove. Vaseline, mink oil, foam shaving cream and saddle soap can work if no specific glove oil is available.

2. Play catch with the new glove as often as possible. Nothing will get your hand used to the new glove than using it for its intended purpose. If there are no catch partners, set up a batting cage machine to throw balls to you and use the new glove to catch them.

3. Some professionals will put a new glove in a bucket of hot water for a few minutes. They will then tie a baseball into the wet glove, and dry the glove. The idea is for the ball to form a natural pocket. An amateur player can get by with just part of this trick. At night, place the ball in the pocket of the glove, and secure it there with string or shoelace. Repeat that trick for as long as it takes for the glove to form a natural pocket.

References

• Ball Glove Warehouse: Breaking in a Glove
• Baseball Gloves: Breaking in Gloves