Baseball gloves must bend forward to allow players to catch the ball more effectively. However, they can bend backward over time. In this case, many people believe it is irreparable and need to buy a new one.
Others think that bending backward does not mean they should throw baseball gloves in the trash. Instead, they can fix things by reshaping their gloves.
So what is the truth? Can you reshape a baseball glove?
Let’s read to get the correct answer!
Can You Reshape a Baseball Glove?
Fortunately, the answer is Yes. It is possible for you to reshape a baseball glove. The good news is that it is not a daunting and time-consuming process.
Wrong bending or improper break-in after a long time is something familiar with the baseball glove.
These bending problems often occur on old baseball gloves and sometimes on new ones.
All gloves have a curve that helps players to catch the baseball and keep it in their pocket.
But over time, the curvy shape will likely break in due to absorbing more impact from baseballs or bats.
The same thing can happen when you try to break in your new baseball glove.
How to Reshape a Baseball Glove?
Reshaping your glove is not as complex and time-consuming as it seems. All you need to do is take four simple steps, including:
Step 1: Soften Your Glove With Oils
Similar to when you break in your baseball glove, you need to use proper oil to soften it.
We recommend using oil specifically designed for baseball gloves or products recommended by the manufacturer.
Using the wrong oil can do more harm than good, even causing irreparable damage. For example, gloves can become darker or slippery.
Once you’ve chosen the right oil, spray it on a damp cloth. After that, oil your baseball glove and make sure your entire gloves are covered with oil.
Avoid spraying oil directly on gloves as it can make your gloves slippery due to too much oil.
Step 2: Place One Ball On The Pocket
Once you have oiled and softened your glove, now is the time to reshape it. Start by preparing a baseball or a small softball and place it in the pocket.
Using a baseball is okay if you are playing baseball and trying to reshape your baseball glove. If you are a softball player and want to fix your softball glove, utilizing softball is the way to go.
Step 3: Your Glove With Rubber Bands
Putting a baseball (or softball) in the pocket and pressing will help your glove to bend. But doing it for a whole day is essential.
It is not feasible to press the glove with your hand for 24 hours continuously, is it? Hence, you must tie it up with something.
3/4 rubber bands will help you with this. All you need to do is tie your glove with these rubber bands. Do not force; just be natural.
Step 4: Give It Time to Dry
Once you have done the above steps, you have completed the hardest parts.
Now is the time to dry your glove and make it ready for the game. It is best to dry your glove under a fan or in the natural air.
Many people dry their baseball gloves in a fireplace, oven, or in sunlight to reduce drying time.
However, we do not recommend doing so as it may permanently damage your baseball glove.
You should let your gloves dry in nature. It is best to let it dry naturally in a cool place or under a fan.
After one day (or 24 hours), untie your glove from the rubber bands and shake it.
FAQs
Should I Reshape a New Baseball Glove?
No, reshaping refers to fixing the backward bending problem of a glove, which is not possible with a new one. If your new glove has a curve problem, exchange it for a different one.
Is It Okay To Use Shaving Cream to Reshape Baseball Gloves?
Yes, it is feasible to use shaving cream to reshape your old baseball glove, but not always. Shaving cream is not suitable for vinyl, suede-type leather, or any low-quality glove.
You can utilize it if you want to fix the wrong problems with a stiff leather glove, such as pro stock blonde, Steerhide leather, and more. It will be useful for stiff leather and can damage the leather layer of the soft glove.
Is It Okay To Use Saddle Soap for Reshaping a Glove?
No, saddle soap is not good or useful for reshaping a baseball glove.
If you cannot buy proper oil, using shaving cream is okay. Even if you cannot find cream, some petroleum jelly will help you get the job done.
What Are the Differences Between Break-in and Reshaping?
Break-in and reshaping involve two different activities. So you should not confuse them.
Breaking in involves softening a new baseball glove and shaping it to fit your hand. Meanwhile, reshaping refers to giving a curve shape to an old softball glove or baseball glove while it is continuously bending backward.
Can I Use Vaseline to Replace Baseball Oils?
The answer is Yes. It is feasible to use Vaseline to replace baseball oil.
The same as shaving cream, Vaseline does not have restrictions on leather types like Steerhide and pro stock.
Many specialists claim that using Vaseline does not harm the leather. As we all know, there is a difference between Vaseline and oil, including efficiency.
In the end, although Vaseline does not damage leather, it is not helpful as oil.
How Do You Reform a Flat Baseball Glove?
You can apply the four steps we mentioned to reform a flat baseball glove.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Glove
The following is a reference price list for replacing and repairing baseball and softball gloves.
| Service | Players | Trapeze | Catchers/First Base |
| Conditioning Pecard Leather Dressing | $5.00 | ||
| Tighten Laces | $5.00 | ||
| Thumb Loop | $10.00 | ||
| Thumb | $5.00 | $5.00 | $5.00 |
| Wrist Strap Lace | $5.00 | ||
| Pinky Loop | $10.00 | ||
| Pinky | $5.00 | $15.00 | |
| Palm | $15.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| Outer Perimeter | $25.00 | ||
| Web Two Piece Top or Bottom | $10.00 | $15.00 | |
| Heel | $15.00 | ||
| Web Single or Dual or Basket | $25.00 | ||
| Web | $35.00 | ||
| Spiral when it’s separate | $15.00 | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Web Outer Perimeter Style Through Spiral | $10.00 | ||
| Middle of Fingers | $5.00 | ||
| Top of Fingers including Spiral of Web | $20.00 | ||
| Top of Fingers | $10.00 | ||
| Complete Glove in Color | $75.00 | $80.00 | $80.00 |
| Complete Glove | $60.00 | $70.00 | $70.00 |
Is There a Way to Stiffen a Baseball Glove?
There are a few things you can do to stiffen up your baseball glove:
- Wash your glove with warm water and soap, then dry it off.
- Apply a thin layer of beeswax or vegetable oil to the palm of your glove.
- Put your glove in a plastic bag and leave it for a few hours, or overnight.
How Do You Shape an Infield Glove?
You should watch this video for detailed instructions on shaping an infield glove.
Wrapping It Up
Can you reshape a baseball glove? Yes, it is the best way to deal with improper break-in (or wrong bending) problems.
The process is straightforward, and you only need to do the 4 steps mentioned above. After this process, your baseball glove will be ready with a suitable form for the new tournament.
Hopefully, this article was helpful to you!