Baseball gloves are an essential piece of equipment for any baseball player, but they can take some time to break in. Breaking in a glove is an important part of the baseball experience that can help you get better performance out of your glove. It’s important to learn the right way to break in a glove so you can get the best performance out of your glove. Here’s a step-by-step guide to breaking in a baseball glove.
Step 1: Softening the Leather
The first step to breaking in a glove is to soften the leather. To do this, you’ll need a few items: a glove mallet, a softball, a baseball, and some glove oil. Start by soaking the glove in warm water for 20-30 minutes. This will help soften the leather and make it more pliable. Once it’s softened, you’ll need to use the glove mallet to break in the pocket of the glove. Use the mallet to pound the pocket of the glove until it takes its shape.
Step 2: Oiling the Glove
After you’ve softened and shaped the glove, the next step is to oil the glove. Oiling the glove will help to protect it from the elements and keep it soft. You can use a variety of oils to do this, but most baseball players prefer to use glove oil. Apply the glove oil to the leather and rub it in with a rag. You’ll want to make sure the entire glove is coated in oil.
Step 3: Shaping the Glove
Once the glove is oiled, you’ll want to shape the glove to your hand. This is done by wrapping the glove around your throwing hand and then pounding it with the glove mallet. This will help the glove conform to the shape of your hand and make it easier to use. You’ll want to make sure you do this step carefully and not hit the glove too hard, as this could damage the glove.
Step 4: Breaking in the Webbing
The next step to breaking in a glove is to break in the webbing. This is done by taking a softball and placing it in the pocket of the glove. Fold the glove over the ball and then use a glove mallet to pound the pocket of the glove. This will help to break in the webbing and make it easier to catch the ball.
Step 5: Breaking in the Lacing
The last step to breaking in a glove is to break in the lacing. To do this, you’ll need a baseball and a glove mallet. Place the baseball in the pocket of the glove and then use the glove mallet to pound the lacing. This will help to break in the lacing and make it easier to close the glove when you’re catching the ball.
Conclusion
Breaking in a baseball glove is an important part of the baseball experience. It can help you get better performance out of your glove, and it’s important to learn the right way to break in a glove. By following these steps, you can ensure that your glove is broken in properly and ready for game day.