While no glove alone can make you a better defender, picking one that fits right and feels comfortable can give you more confidence on the field and help you make plays more cleanly and consistently. Because of that, many players and parents especially those who are buying their first high-quality glove want to know how to care for it.
And one aspect of that is breaking it in properly. By knowing how to break in a baseball glove the right way, you can ensure that it will hold up and perform for years to come.
Congratulations on your recent purchase! One of the things that makes leather such a valuable and versatile material is its durability. But unused leather that has just come off the production line is often stiff as a rock, and the leather used by baseball glove manufacturers is no different. While gloves made from synthetic materials are designed to be game-ready off the shelf, gloves made from actual cowhide or steerhide need to be softened up.
Depending on the grade of leather, the break-in period can take anywhere from days to weeks. That said, breaking in a real leather glove is worth the effort, as its form and function will far surpass what synthetic materials can offer.
Because as you break in a glove, the leather stretches and molds to fit your hand and to accommodate your movements. There are shortcuts that can help you soften a leather glove up more quickly, but none of them will produce the same quality of results.
If you want the best-fitting, best-performing glove possible, you need to break it in by using it. Also, Breaking in a glove by playing catch does not harm the leather, which is a risk associated with some of the expedited methods noted in this article.
So throw, take ground balls, shag fly balls; whenever you can catch a ball with your hand in the glove, do so. It will take time, but it will be absolutely worth it. The quickest way to break in a glove is through a combination of warm water and manhandling. Aso is a professional leather worker who crafts the finest gloves in the world. So, if you choose this approach, follow the instructions to the letter — and understand that mistakes can damage your mitt.
There are two types of glove hammers you can use for this approach: one of them has a ball shape at the end of it to form the pocket, and the other is more of a flat-end tool you use to simply whack the glove. To break the glove in using this method, fill the cup with hot water and pour it over the glove. This loosens up the leather and makes it more malleable. Do not soak the glove, as that will lead to saturation and subsequent over-drying.
With the glove slightly wet, you want to focus on putting as much pressure as possible on the area noted by the yellow arrow in the picture below. This is the area that needs be pliable because the glove has to close to catch a ball. This is where the glove mallet comes into play. Use the mallet to hammer the pocket, which will loosen up the creese and help the glove fold. From here, another great way to shape the pocket is to put your hand in the glove and use the mallet.
We have been pounding away on it the past week or so and it hasn't loosened up much. I am thinking about taking it to the shop to have them throw it in the steamer.
I have had a couple of guys who said they were against steaming a glove. I didn't get into details as to why. Wanted to see what the opinion was on here before having it done. Tags: None. I wouldn't do it to any glove I planned to use more than a year or so. If your kid is growing and will likely need a new glove next year or you buy new gloves every year , then go ahead.
Steaming is generally frowned upon by glove pros not me BAM. I used Aso's technique on my son's Nakona a couple of years ago and his A this year. I've also used a bat to help speed the process. Last edited by dad ; , AM. Comment Post Cancel. Coach T If you want the glove to last, then don't cheat the process. My Son and I have been working on his new glove for 5 months now, just a little lanolin in palm and play alooooooot of catch. The glove is close to breakin after 5 months work, but he will still use old glove for tournament play to probably November.
High Cheez. Another vote here for Aso's hot water method. Gets the break-in process started quicker if that's what you are looking for. Tori Hunter like the hot water method. I wouldn't listen to anything major leaguers have to say about this subject, these guys get new gloves all the time and have no time to break them in and as soon as they get too loose for their taste they toss it.
The fall is the best time to buy a glove then you can spend all fall and winter breaking it in so it's perfectly molded to your hand for the spring. A little oi and a lot of catching balls is the best method. The heat loosens the glove, while the glove is infused with the water molecules in the steam, making it softer and more malleable. After that, we pound the glove with a wooden mallet on a leather pad to loosen the heel and other key breaking point areas of the glove. Finally, a coat of cream is applied to the leather to close its pores and seal in the hydration.
The steaming process softens the leather, laces and the key break-in points of the glove. That means that when your shipment arrives, you'll get an almost game-ready glove with a pocket formed specifically for baseball or softball.
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