How to Break-in Your New Glove

 


How To Break-in Your New Glove


            Congratulations, purchasing your new glove. Before you rush on to the field to make those big plays, there is some work to be done. Your new leather will require a period of break-in, but if you rush the process, you might pay the price. Breaking in the glove incorrectly can misshapen the leather, causing a awkward feel in your hand or lose the potential of a high-performing glove. It is important to do it right.


Here is a few step process to successfully break-in your new glove.

    1. Work the padding
                        Working the glove, is really doing is loosening the leather, laces and the padding so 
                         There is some movement in the glove. The first area to work is where your glove is 
                         the stiff. In most cases that will be the two "hinges' near the heel of the glove.

                        Use both hand and grab the heel of the glove on either side and alternate twisting the 
                        thumb and pinky down and in. the top of the finger should touch the bottom of the 
                        thumb, and vice versa.

                        This will break tension of the padding fibers inside the glove padding, creating more                                flexibility.


               
                 2. Soften the Leather
        
              Now you've have loosen the padding, it time to work on the leather. Depending on the                             quality, the time required to break-in might take longer with premium leather that have                          fuller and tighter grains.

                    Using a light amount of glove oil to soften the leather. Make sure not to over saturate the 
                   glove.





                    3.  Begin Forming the Pocket

                You should shape the glove based on the position and style of play. At first I recommend                         placing a softball in the pocket of the glove and wrapping bands around the glove. Be                            sure to store in a cool, dry place for a day or more. The glove will conform to the shape                         of the ball.

                        From there, you have start to play hand catch. Simply throwing a baseball from one hand                         in to the glove repeatedly, while closing the glove.


                    4.  Play Catch 

                           This is the fun part. The best way to get your glove in game ready status is to play with                             it. As soon as you can close your glove easy enough to play catch, start throwing as                               much as you can. The oils in your hand will continue to soften and loosen the inner                               lining and padding. The impact of the ball will shape the pocket and the opening and                             closing, will soften the leather in all the right spots.

                    5.   Maintain Your Glove

                Take care of your glove and it will take care of you. To keep your glove performing well,                         inspect the laces every six months and replace as needed. Store in a cool, dry place and                             with a ball in the pocket to maintain a proper shape. Be sure to apply a light treatment of                         glove oil to the maintain the quality of the leather and prevent brittleness. 


                        
                        Remember it is important to take your time with the break-in process. Every glove will                             require a different amount of time to be game worthy. When buy a glove for the next                             baseball season, plan ahead.
                        












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