How Do You Break In A Baseball Glove?

A baseball glove should be comfortable and easy to use so you can focus on your game. Breaking in your glove is essential for it to feel like an extension of your hand. Learn how to break in your baseball glove with our easy guide.

The Basics

A baseball glove, also know as a mitt, is a large leather glove that baseball players use to help catch the ball. If you are a baseball player, you will need to break in your glove before you can use it in a game. Breaking in your glove will make it more flexible and comfortable to use. There are a few different ways that you can break in your glove.

What You’ll Need

To break in your new baseball glove, you’ll need:

-A baseball
-A shoe with a hard sole
-A soft cloth
-Glove oil (optional)

##Instructions:
1. Start by softening the leather of the glove. Do this by working the leather with your hands. The more you work the leather, the more supple it will become. You can also use a soft cloth to help work the leather.
2. Once the leather is softened, it’s time to start shaping the pocket. To do this, take your baseball and place it in the palm of the glove. Then, close the glove around the ball. You want to make sure that the ball is snug in the pocket so that it doesn’t fall out when you’re playing.
3. Next, use your other hand to push down on the ball so that it mold’s to the shape of your glove. You can also use a shoe with a hard sole to help mold the pocket. Just be careful not to overdo it or you’ll damage your glove.
4. Repeat this process until you’re happy with the shape of the pocket. Then, give your glove a rest so that the leather can cool and solidify in its new shape.
5. Once your glove has cooled, you can optionally apply some glove oil to help soften and preserve the leather.

The Right Size

One of the most important factors in choosing a baseball glove is making sure you get the right size. A glove that’s too big or too small will be difficult to use, and it won’t offer the protection you need. For adult players, we recommend a size 12”–13” for infielders, 14”–15” for outfielders, and 11.5”–12.5” for pitchers. If you’re unsure about which size to get, bring your hand to the store and try on gloves until you find one that feels comfortable.

The Process

You’ve just bought a new baseball glove and are eager to get started playing catch with it, but there’s one problem: the glove is stiff and needs to be broken in first. Breaking in a baseball glove is a process that takes time and patience, but it’s worth it in the end. Here’s how to do it.

Softening the Leather

There are a few ways that you can soften the leather of your baseball glove, but one of the most popular is to condition it with neatsfoot oil. You can purchase this product at most sporting goods stores, and it’s relatively cheap. All you need to do is apply a small amount of oil to a clean cloth, and then rub it into the leather in a circular motion. It’s best to do this in a well-ventilated area, as the fumes from the oil can be quite strong. Once you’ve applied the oil, you should let it soak into the leather for at least an hour before using your glove.

Another way to soften the leather is to freeze it. This may seem counterintuitive, but if you put your glove in a sealable plastic bag and then place it in the freezer overnight, the leather will become much more pliable. Just be sure to remove the glove from the freezer a few hours before you plan on using it so that it has time to thaw out.

Shaping the Glove

The first step in breaking in your baseball glove is to shape it. This involves breaking in the glove so that it takes on the contours of your hand. Many players do this by placing a baseball in the palm of the glove and then wrapping the glove around the ball. Others use a mallet or hammer to gently tap around the circumference of the glove. Still others will soak their gloves in water and then shape them while they are wet.

Once you have shaped the glove, you will need to dry it. This can be done by using a hairdryer set on low heat or by placing the glove in a warm oven for a few minutes. Be careful not to overheat the leather, as this can damage it.

Common Mistakes

One of the most common mistakes is trying to speed up the process by using a hair dryer or by putting the glove in the oven. This will actually damage the leather and make the glove less pliable. If you’re patient, though, and follow the proper steps, you’ll have a broken-in glove in no time.

Not Breaking In the Glove Enough

One of the most common mistakes people make when purchasing a new baseball glove is not breaking it in properly. A well-broken in baseball glove will feel like an extension of your hand, and will allow you to make plays you otherwise might not be able to. Conversely, a glove that is not broken in enough will be stiff, unyielding, and ultimately ineffective. Not sure how to break in your baseball glove? Here are a few tips:

-Play catch with the glove as often as possible. The more you use it, the more pliable it will become.
-Use a softball or tennis ball. These balls are smaller and will help loosen up the leather.
-Work all parts of the glove. Don’t just focus on catching; pay attention to scooping up ground balls and making throws as well.
-Oil the glove regularly. This will help keep the leather soft and supple.

Breaking In the Glove Too Much

One of the most common mistakes people make when breaking in a baseball glove is overdoing it. They’ll bend the leather too much or stuff the glove with too much material, which can damage the leather and affect the glove’s performance. Remember, you should only be breaking in the glove enough to make it comfortable to use, not changing its shape or altering its properties.