How to Break In Your Baseball Glove Fast
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Looking to break in your baseball glove quickly? Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Pre-treat the leather
There are a few things you can do to the leather before you even start working it in that will make the process go much faster. First, you’ll want to clean the leather with a leather conditioner. This will remove any dirt or grime that’s on the glove and help to soften it up.
Next, you’ll want to apply a light coat of neatsfoot oil or lanolin. These products will help to lubricate the leather and make it more pliable. Be sure to work the oil into the glove with your hands until it’s evenly distributed.
Soak the glove in warm water
If you’re in a hurry to break in your glove, you can soak it in warm water for about 20 minutes. This will help the fibers expand and make the glove more pliable. After soaking, wring out the glove and allow it to air dry completely before using it.
Use a baseball
Use a baseball. Bounce a baseball off of the sweet spot on the glove a few times. The more you do this, the more supple the leather will become, and the easier it will be to break in your glove.
Play catch with a friend
One of the best ways to break in your glove is to play catch with a friend. This will help to loosen up the leather and make it more flexible. Start by playing catch for about 10 minutes and gradually increase the time as you feel the glove getting softer. You can also try soft tossing, where you throw the ball softly to yourself and allow it to bounce off the glove. This will help to stretch out the leather and make it more pliable.
Lubricate the glove
Lubricate the glove by rubbing a generous amount of glove conditioner, shoe polish or petroleum jelly into it. Once the glove is coated, shape it into the desired shape. You can do this by holding the glove in your non-dominant hand and shaping it with your dominant hand.
Store the glove properly
To ensure that your baseball glove lasts for seasons to come, it’s important to take proper care of it — especially when it’s new. One key element of breaking in a glove is storing it properly when you’re not using it.
Here are a few tips:
-Avoid extreme temperatures. Don’t leave your glove in the car on a hot day or out in the cold overnight. Room temperature is ideal.
– Stuff the glove with paper. This helps the glove keep its shape and prevents creases from developing.
– Hang the glove up. If you have the space, hanging your glove is preferable to storing it in a drawer or box. This allows air to circulate and prevents the leather from getting too dry.
By following these simple steps, you can help your baseball glove last for years to come.
