How to Break in a New Baseball Glove
The beginning of spring heralds the sound of a bat hitting a baseball. Every new spring there are kids that are looking for ways to break in the new baseball gloves that they have purchased or been gifted for baseball season. There are several methods that people swear by and this can be accomplished by following a few simple steps.
- Use your glove - Repeated use is the best way to break in a glove. Try playing catch. If you have no one to play with use a tennis ball and play off the side of the house or garage. Using your glove will allow it to bend and flex around your hand.
- Place a ball in the pocket - When the new glove is not in use, place a baseball in the pocket of the glove and tie a rubber band around the glove. This will cause your pocket to assume the shape of the ball.
- Keep it moistened - The stiff leather of your new glove can be softened by an application of linseed oil, shaving cream or saddle soap. Rub down the pocket linings to make your pocket more pliable. Pay special attention to the areas that flex. Do not over-saturate your glove and wipe off the excess.
- Do not dry out your glove - If you glove gets wet, let it dry on its own. Placing in the sun, using a blow dryer or some other type of heat source will dry your glove too quickly and has the potential to cause your leather to crack. After it has dried be sure to moisturize it.
- Use a professional leather conditioner - These are marketed to help to soften and condition leather. This product is highly recommended by glove manufacturers and is considered to be the best thing to soften your glove.
- Use a professional break-in kit - There are kits that are marketed that give you the tools you need to quickly break in your new glove. Follow the directions that come with the kit.
- Take care of your glove - When the season is over clean your glove well and then rub your glove down in petroleum jelly inside and out wiping off the excess. This will help to keep your glove ready for the next season.