High-quality baseball gloves are a must-have for any baseball player. As soon as you receive a proper baseball glove, your first task is to “break in” it.
Breaking in refers to softening new baseball gloves that are usually stiff. Various ways allow you to get the job done, and we are here to give you the fastest way.
So what is the fastest way to break in a baseball glove?
Let’s get into the details to see more!
What Is the Fastest Way to Break in a Baseball Glove?
The fastest way to break in a baseball glove is to use a glove mallet.
Step 1: Let’s start by collecting the necessary things. Here are the things you need to prepare to get the job done:
- A cup.
- Glove hammer/glove mallet.
- A soft surface (a carpet or pillow).
- A bucket of hot water (not boiling water).
Step 2: Pour hot water into the cup. Then, pour it over your glove to loosen up the leather and make it more malleable. Avoid soaking your glove, as it will result in saturation and end up over-drying.
Step 3: While your glove is still slightly wet, you want to focus on putting pressure on the pocket. This area must be pliable (as the baseball glove must be close to catching the ball).
That’s when the glove mallet comes in handy. Hammer the pocket using the mallet to loosen up the glove and help it fold.
The Wrong Way to Break in a Baseball Glove
Here are some mistakes many people make when trying to “break in” their baseball gloves.
Use Shaving Cream
Shaving creams contain lanolin, natural oil derived from sheep. Lanolin is one good leather conditioner. But nowadays, few shaving creams contain lanolin.
Instead, they contain many chemicals and artificial compounds not designed to treat leather. These chemicals can pull moisture out of the leather.
Also, some chemicals can break down and weaken the fibers of the leather.
Bake or Microwave the Glove
Many people think that using the oven will soften the leather. That may be true initially, as heat makes the skin more supple.
However, the hot air tends to be dry, which is certainly true of the hot air in the oven. When you bake your glove, it will pull moisture out of the leather.
As a result, when your baseball glove cools down, it will dry (sometimes brittle).
Leave The Glove in the Car
Cars will become hotter when left in the sun, making them like portable ovens.
As a result, some people think placing their baseball gloves on the hot dashboard could be a perfect alternative to putting them in the microwave or oven.
However, you will still receive a dry glove that no glove care product can salvage.
FAQs
Why Do Baseball Gloves Need to Be Broken In?
A baseball glove, or any leather item, that has just come off the production line is stiff. Therefore, they are often uncomfortable at first.
The new baseball gloves are nearly impossible to squeeze closed, making it impossible to catch the ball correctly. Therefore, you need to soften them in many different ways.
A baseball glove should match two things. First, it should fit comfortably around a ball so that every time you make a catch, the baseball will fall easily into your glove, almost like a ball in a pocket.
Also, it should fit your hand perfectly. The more comfortable the glove is, the easier it is to handle the impact of a catch.
Is It Okay to Use Shaving Cream to Break in A Baseball Glove?
Shaving cream is considered a poor glove conditioner as it contains substances and chemicals that can dry the leather over time, including triethanolamine, isobutane, sodium lauryl sulfate, and propane.
Can You Reshape a Baseball Glove?
Yes, it is possible to reshape a baseball glove. It will help you fix bending or improper break-in problems.
How Do You Break in a Baseball Glove Overnight?
There’s no way to break in a baseball glove overnight because it’s a long journey.
Many people recommend that you can use heat to get the job done, such as putting your baseball glove in the oven or microwave. Just don’t do it!
Otherwise, your glove may be permanently damaged.
How Do Pros Break in Their Gloves?
Many professionals break in their baseball gloves by using a suitable oil that is specially made for baseball gloves.
How Do You Break a Baseball Glove Fast?
Apply the three steps we mentioned, and you can expect your baseball glove to become softer soon.
How Do You Break a Baseball Glove in 5 Minutes?
There is no safe way to “break in”a baseball glove in five minutes.
If you need a glove ready for gaming tomorrow, you should buy a used one that has been properly broken in.
How Long Does It Take To Break in a New Baseball Glove?
It is up to how you break in your baseball glove. It can take weeks, months, and even a year.
Can You Use Olive Oil to Break In Your Baseball Glove?
Yes, you can. However, you need to use it properly and avoid overusing it.
The Bottom Line
After purchasing a baseball glove or any other leather item, it is essential to “break in” them. There are many ways to get things done.
The safest but longest way is to put your glove on and catch the ball with it. But if you don’t have much time, you should apply the method we have suggested.
Hopefully, this article was helpful to you. Thanks for your time!