Manhandling a Glove
This method is good for taking out some aggression. Here, all you're doing is pounding the pocket of the glove to soften the leather and form the pocket. To do this, you'll need to get a glove mallet (like the one pictured below) or create your own mallet using an old baseball. We suggest getting a real glove mallet since it's meant to be used for baseball or softball gloves. Here's what you need to do:
- Put the glove on like you would normally wear it.
- Then with your throwing hand, take the mallet and continually strike the pocket of the glove.
- If you want to break the glove in more, take the glove off, lay the glove palm side down on the floor, and strike the back side.
You may see other guides telling you to wet the leather and lay it out in the sun, but it's our recommendation that you leave the water and sun out of this and stick to the steps above.
All of the above methods can be used to break in your baseball fielding glove. If you're wondering how to break in a softball glove, the same methods will hold true, just be sure to use a softball in place of a baseball to ensure your pocket ends up large enough.
Using Oils and Conditioners
Glove oils and conditioners are products that you can apply to help soften leather baseball and softball gloves. When using oils and conditioners to break in your glove, the first thing you should know is that strange products like petroleum jelly, olive oil, mink oil, and linseed oil should never be used. If you are to planning to use oils or conditioners, you should use the products that your glove manufacturer suggests. These instructions are usually included with your glove. Some conditioners are made specifically for leather used by certain companies. When using oils, be sure not to over apply the material. Apply a light coat to the glove and rub it. When it comes to how to oil a baseball glove, the main rules you need to follow are:
- Use only manufacturer recommended oils and conditioners.
- Don't over apply oils. A little goes a long way.
- Don't use products that aren't approved for use with leather or any that are known to dry out materials.
Glove Wraps and What They Do
Breaking in your glove isn't the end of the process. While the steps above helped you form a pocket in your glove, you aren't quite done yet. You still need to wrap your glove. It's easy to learn how to wrap a baseball glove. Below lists the quick final steps that will fully prepare your glove for baseball and softball action:
- Fold your glove in half. Where you see the crease forming is where the pocket is made.
- Fold the glove on itself starting with where your pinky sits.
- Continue to fold the pinky side of the glove on itself.
- Once the glove is folded in on itself, take an old set of glove laces or shoe laces and tie the glove to keep the folded shape. You'd want to use a glove wrap that is specifically made for this, if at all possible. You can also elect to wrap your glove with a baseball or softball in the pocket. Using a softball will create a bigger pocket, which is needed for those playing slowpitch or fastpitch.
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About the Author
Baseball Monkey is a leading retailer of baseball and softball equipment for all ages and experience levels. Our expert team worked together to build a resource hub of information designed to help players navigate through the many questions that come with gearing up for the baseball season.
MonkeySports, Inc. has been serving athletes around the world since 1999. We offer expert customer service and product knowledge that comes from employing players who are passionate about the game, the gear and the customer. MonkeySports, Inc. has six established brick-and-mortar stores and six websites. Our online stores operate under the banners hockeymonkey.com, goaliemonkey.com, lacrossemonkey.com, baseballmonkey.com, monkeyteamsports.com and monkeyapparel.com.
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