Both baseball and softball players must break in their gloves before using them for a match. This process ensures that the glove has a comfortable custom fit and creates a secure pocket for holding the ball. Which is the best way to break in a new baseball glove? Players use a few tricks to break in a new baseball glove.
The Preparation
Before you determine the best way to break in a new baseball glove, you should know how you want your gloves to break in to suit your position and style of playing on the team.
Some players like straight fingers or rolled fingers. Others want their thumbs out. Still, other players prefer the thumbs in to create more of a narrow pattern. Outfielders prefer to have a deeper pocket. Once you figure out your preferred mode, then you can begin to break into your new baseball.
The key to breaking in the glove is the padding. The more you use the glove, the faster it will break down, creating a soft feel around your hand.
How to Oil a Baseball Glove
Breaking in the glove becomes easy when you use an oil conditioner on the leather. Pour a few drops of oil on an applicator sponge, rag, or sock. Use this sponge to wipe the inner area of the glove, including the palm, fingers, laces, and backside.
Please pay particular attention to the laces since they take up most stress when catching the ball. Ensure all the breakpoints on the glove are appropriately oiled. Once done, use a paper towel to wipe out any excess oil.
You can now go ahead and shape it to form the pocket. You may place a mitt at the center of the glove and tie a rubber band around the glove to create an X shape. Players catch the ball at the pocket. Therefore, you need to make sure it shapes appropriately.
Common Methods Used to Break In a New Baseball Glove
Play Catch with Your New Baseball
If you own more than one glove, use your regular glove to play catch with the glove you want to break in. Do this during your game breaks. When you resume your game, you may as well go back to using your regular glove.
If you do this for some time, your glove will begin to break in. This method is ideal for persons who own more than one glove and have the right amount of time to spare.
Using a Pitching Machine
If you own a pitching machine or have access to one, use it to break in your new baseball glove. To do this, find a good sitting position facing the pitching machine. Turn on the pitching machine. Catch as many balls as you can with your new baseball glove.
Using a Mallet or the End of a Bat
Use the head of the mallet or bat to hit the middle section or break points of your glove. Focus on the heel area of your glove. If you want your glove to close the finger to the thumb, fold it and hit it while in this shape. Pound the mallet directly on the pockets to break in where you will be catching the ball. Put the glove around your knee and turn it inside out. Let it sit for about half an hour, allowing the leather to expand, hence making it more flexible and soft.
You can do this as you watch your favorite game on the television or listen to your podcasts. Your glove should soften after a few days of repeating this exercise. There are some mallets explicitly made for breaking in baseball gloves.
Using Water, Mallet, 2 Balls, and a Belt
Pour some warm water into the palm of the glove. This process will help to soften the leather. Try not to get the water inside the fingers. Repeat this by wetting the outer side too. Place the wet glove on the towel with the inner section facing down.
Use the head of a mallet or a bat to beat the inside of the glove. Wet the glove again and repeat the process. Keep testing the glove’s flexibility by wearing it and trying to grip a ball with the baseball glove. Repeat the process until the glove is soft to your liking.
Take two baseballs or softballs and place them in the middle section of the glove. Use a belt to tie and lock the balls inside the glove. Tie the belt evenly to distribute the pressure evenly. Let it sit for up to one night.
Unwrap the glove. Remove the two balls and test your baseball gloves. Your baseball glove should be filling comfortable, and flexible in your hands.
Dos and Don’ts on the Best Way to Break In a New Baseball Glove
- Store your baseball glove with a ball in it.
- Always have an old glove in handy for the times when you run short of softened gloves.
- Ensure you invest in quality baseball gloves that break in quickly.
- Don’t ever store a wet glove. Dry it thoroughly first.
Conclusion
Every player has their preference of how they want the glove to feel and perform in their hands. But it is essential to break in the glove the correct way. Remember, this is your glove. You should be the one who determines the best way to break in a new baseball glove to fit your style of playing. Use the quick and easy ways discussed above to break in your new baseball glove the right way.
I take it then that baseball gloves are quite rigid when new if they have to be broken in. It seems a lot of things to think about not only for breaking in the glove but which ones to buy to suit your style of game and needs?
Once worn in or ‘broken in’ would they then be of no use to a different player? From reading your article I understand the glove is quite a personal piece of protective equipment and you need your own glove not someone else’s.
There is loads of information here, allowing for a player to make an informed decision when buying and using a new glove.
I like that you have included tips on how, or how not to store them.
Hi, Louise and thank you.
Thank you for your kind words.
Yes, you are right about it is a lot to think about it. But too, it depends also a little bit how ambitious you are. Playing in the garden or with friends once in a week does not mean, for most people, that it needs to be 100% correct!
Some people just start using it, not recommended, when others take many, many months to prepare the gloves. Most people are in the middle of these two groups.
But having said that we need to have in mind that each people have their method to break the gloves and for that reason, the baseball gloves are unique for each person.
As you say, the style, position you play in is an important factor because the size is different. Because of that, you need the right glove for that position. There is an excellent explaining in the Wikipediaabout that. I let the link follow so I will not just cope it.
About your question, if another person can use your glove, it is a little like I start with about your ambition. There is no doubt that each glove is personally for each player. But if you are playing for the fun and enjoy only, there is no reason that you can´t check it out if you can use it. One same time is right to have in mind that it is in the basic very few things you need to play. The glove, bat and ball and that it is!
If I can help you with anything else, or if you have any questions, don´t hesitate to contact me.
My grandson plays ball. He is on one of those traveling teams, and he is quite good. I was thinking about getting him a new glove. I know he won’t like it at first because his old one is entirely broken in.
But with your instructions, I can help him learn to soften and break it in. I am so excited. And I love the
Rawlings player preferred baseball glove. It appears to have excellent ratings. I think he would do well with this one.
It is an Amazon prime item also, and I need it quickly before he leaves for another game in a few days. I can’t thank you enough for helping me out with this situation. You are a Godsend.
Hello, Laura, and thank you.
Thank you for your kind words.
Great to hear about your benefit of the article.
Congratulation with your grandson. Looks like he is a good talent.
About the Rawling glove, it is excellent. You can see a review about it here.
If I can help you with anything else, or if you have any questions, don´t hesitate to contact me.
Wow, its the first time I’m hearing about breaking in a baseball glove. My brother loves playing baseball, and I think this is going to be a perfect one to help him have a better feel of his glove. You have given so many steps that one can use to break in the glove. I’ll try out that on using a mallet, looks easier for me. Thank you, sir, for the help.
Hello Henderson, and thank you.
Thank you for your kind words.
Great to hear about your benefit of the article too.
Yes, it is crucial to break the gloves. Many players have their style to do it, and that is fine. But as this website is for all kind of people, players, etc. And because of it, and how important it is, I wanted to help people to find a way which fit them best to do it.
The goal of this website has always been to help and inform people. And with as much quality as possible. And that is the reason I had all these possibilities because what is suitable for one is not necessarily good for others.
Don´t hesitate to contact me if I can help you with anything else, or if you have any questions.
I haven’t heard of breaking a glove in baseball before, although I’m not really into the sport buy I seem to like the way it is played. I quite understand the processes involved in breaking a glove and how it can be done, but what I don’t really understand is why should you break your glove? Is is meant to help aid better grasp of the ball?
Hello Dane, and thank you.
Yes, it is a crucial factor to be ready for the games.
It ensures that the glove has a custom fit that is comfortable and creates a secure pocket for holding the ball.
Don´t hesitate to contact me if I can help you with anything else, or if you have any questions.
The oil trick is pretty neat. I never thought of using that when breaking the glove, interesting! I normally use those leather varnish wet wipes to moisturize the glove a bit so that it lasts longer, but do you think there’s any difference between the leather varnish wipes and using oil? I can’t really tell since both contain oil 😀
Hello, Riaz Shah, and thank you.
Thank you for your kind words.
It is much more effective to use oil. It goes deeper in the leather.
Great to hear about your benefit of the article too.
Don’t hesitate to contact me if I can help you with anything else or if you have any questions.
It is a nice article. I’ve learned different ways to break in a new glove. And I can definitely try them out. I think I’ll bookmark this article just to be able to get back to it when I need
I must say you are actually good with what you do. You must be an expert. I’ll check your website from time to time for more information like this.
Hello, Age, and thank you.
Thank you for your kind words.
Great to hear about your benefit of the article too.
Don’t hesitate to contact me if I can help you with anything else or if you have any questions.