How to Break in Your New Baseball Glove

Anyone who’s played baseball will tell you that gloves need to be broken in to reach their full potential. There are quite a few methods you can use to break in and soften your glove. Keep reading and we’ll explain the different ways to break in your new baseball or softball glove.

The most important part of breaking in your glove is forming a pocket. This pocket will allow you to catch and field balls securely.  There are many ways to develop a pocket but it all comes down to player preference.

The most reliable method is to simply play catch with your new glove as much as possible.  The more you squeeze it, the softer and more pliable the leather becomes.  This is the safest and most recommended way to break a baseball glove, however, it is also the most time consuming.

Glove steaming is another option. Please note that this may void the warranty from some manufacturers. Steaming is not ideal for gloves with metallic accents and bright colored leathers as it may cause them to lose some of their vibrancy.  Glove steaming is best left to the professionals who have specialized equipment, but it can be acheived at home using a clothing steamer or by placing your glove in the bathroom while running hot water. The steam opens the pores in the leather and allows it to become more pliable. While the leather is soft, you will need to hit it with a glove mallet, paying special attention to forming the pocket and loosening up any areas that are still stiff. While this method is faster than playing catch, it will need to be repeated more than once until the desired break in has been achieved.

Another great option is to purchase a glove mallet and hit the glove repeatedly until the leather is soft enough that you find it comfortable and easy to use.  The best way to do this is to put the glove on and strike it over and over again with the mallet until the pocket starts to develop. You can also use the mallet to focus on any stiff points on the heel of the glove and along both the thumb and pinky shafts. This method alone will not void any manufacturers' warranty and allows the player to have complete control over the break in process.

Glove oils and conditioners are a great way to help maintain the flexibility of your glove and keep it soft once it has been broken in.  Different brands have different oils and conditioners that they recommend but the most important thing to remember is that a little goes a long way. Over-applying these types of products can cause the glove to become heavy, slippery, and may cause the leather to break down much faster.  Glove oils and conditioners should be used in moderation as a form of maintenance.

Here are some things you definitely should not do to try to break in your new baseball or softball glove. Avoid putting it in the microwave or the oven.  The excessive and sudden dry heat will cause the leather to dry out and become brittle. Do not submerge your glove in water and then leave it in the sun to dry. This will cause the glove to become waterlogged and will compromise the integrity of the leather. Don't run over your glove with your car. Honestly, there's just no point. If you really wanted to you could, it probably won't hurt anything, but it definitely isn't going to help you reach your goal.

 

Prime Sports Midwest proudly offers various break-in services. We are happy to consult on which method or methods would be best for your glove and your timeline. We have all of the necessary equipment and knowledge to achieve your desired result. Please give us a call or stop by one of our stores and our associates can answer all of your questions.