How to Break In a Youth Baseball Glove

A youth baseball glove can be a great asset for any young player. But, how do you break in a youth baseball glove? Here are a few tips to get you started.

Start with a softball

Breaking in a new baseball glove is a right of passage for every young player. It’s a process that requires time, patience and a little bit of know-how. But don’t worry, we’re here to help.

Here are a few tips on how to break in a youth baseball glove:

-Start with a softball: Throw a softball back and forth with your child to help loosen up the leather. If you don’t have a softball, you can also try using a tennis ball or even a Nerf ball.

-Use some heat: Applying heat will help soften the leather and make it more pliable. You can use a hairdryer or even an oven (set to low) to do this. Just be careful not to get the leather too hot — you don’t want to damage it.

-Work the glove: Once the leather is softened, it’s time to start working the glove. Have your child open and close the glove as much as possible — this will help stretch it out. You can also try rolling up a balled-up sock and inserting it into the glove overnight (with the hairdryer pointing into the glove) to help speed up the process.

With some time and effort, your child will have a baseball glove that’s broken in and ready for game time.

Use steam

The easiest way to break in a baseball glove is to use steam. You can do this by either holding the glove over a pot of boiling water or by using a handheld steamer. Be careful not to get the leather too wet, as this can cause it to shrink. Hold the glove over the steam for several minutes, then work the leather to loosen it up. Repeat this process until the glove is broken in.

Play catch

The most common and simplest way to break in a baseball glove is to catch a ball with it. Wrap the laces of the glove around a baseball and secure it tightly. Have a friend or coach throw you some catchable balls, soft tosses at first, working up to harder thrown balls. The more you catch with the glove, the more pliable and comfortable it will become.

Lace it up

One of the best ways to break in your glove is simply to use it. Play catch with a friend or have someone throw pitches to you while you’re wearing your glove. The more you use it, the more comfortable it will become.

If you don’t have anyone to play catch with, you can still break in your glove by yourself. Wrap the ball in a sock or piece of cloth and tie it securely so it won’t come loose. Then, hold the ball in your glove and squeeze it as tightly as you can. Continue doing this for several minutes each day until the glove feels broken in.

Another way to break in your glove is to lace it up tightly and leave it overnight. This will help the glove keep its shape and form. In the morning, remove the laces and give the glove a good workout by playing catch or throwing against a wall.

Use glove oil

Oiling a new glove is the most common way to break it in. You can buy special glove oil, or you can use any type of lubricant, like petroleum jelly. Apply a generous amount of whatever you’re using to the entire glove, working it into the leather. Once the glove is coated, shape it into the form you want it to take and let it sit overnight. The next day, repeat the process of applying oil and shaping the glove. Do this for as many days as necessary until the glove is broken in.