Gloves

The problem with new baseball gloves is that they don’t always fit perfectly, or, even, comfortably. Baseball gloves, straight from the store, tend to be stiff, making it hard to grab and get a proper grip. Since game play is dependent on your glove functioning properly, it’s in everyone’s interest to get the gear in proper shape. So what are ways to soften gloves so they actually “fit like a glove?”

To break into your baseball glove, you need to soften the leather. There are many ways to soften leather. The most well known way is to simply use it. But for players who want a soft and broken in baseball glove quickly, they have to look for oils and lotions to soften the glove. Everyday products include Vaseline, mink oil, saddle and even soap. But there are plenty of baseball glove oils that help soften and break in baseball gloves. Popular ones include Rawlings Glovolium and Easton Glove oil.

Once you decide on the lubricant, apply a small amount of the oil, lotion, or soap, to the glove with a soft cloth. Rub the agent slowly on the glove and lightly cover the entire surface. It’s important to spread the agent evenly through the surface. If a spot has excessive oil, the section might stain. You can then leave the glove in a dry area. The glove should settle with the lubricant overnight.

There are things that you should not do to break in a glove. The first and foremost is to not soak it with water and microwave the glove. Some people feel that microwave could accelerate the softening process. This may be true, but the glove will deteriorate in no time. Also, you don’t want to use shaving cream as a lot of places might suggest. The use of this product will drench the leather, which could cause some damage in the short run.

The pocket of the glove is another aspect that needs to be considered if we are to break in the glove. Since flexibility of the pocket is essential for catching, the glove must have pocket-like qualities. Newer gloves don’t give you a natural sweet spot for catching balls. As such, you may want to put a softball in the glove and wrap the entire glove with rubber bands. You can do this every night when you place the glove away. Using this method will allow you to create a pocket in the glove.

Having a broken-in glove will serve you well during baseball or softball games and practices. With these methods, you can apply easy to find products to soften the leather. Once broken in, the glove will feel like an extension of your body.