How To Break In A Baseball Glove

If you want to know how to break in a baseball glove, you have to do two things. You have to soften the leather, so that when you open and close your hand, your glove opens and closes with you. And then you want to form a pocket, so that there is a natural area for the ball to fall into. You can soften the leather by adding some form of soap, oil or lather in sparing amounts. Here are some things you can use:

• Shaving Cream (only foam)
• Petroleum Jelly
• Mink, Tanners or Glove Oil
• Saddle Soap

1. Apply one of these substances in small amounts, just enough to cover the leather. You may think that the idea is to get as much on there and let it soak in, but this is not the case. This will weaken the leather and will cause the seams to break, and in some cases, will cause the leather to break. This is a long process. Apply some substance before you go to sleep every three nights.
2. Eventually it will reach a point where it has reached the right consistency. Keep in mind that the natural oils in your hand will loosen the glove, so getting out there and playing is one of the best ways to treat the leather.
3. Once you have the leather where you want it, it's time to form the pocket. Again, just going outside and throwing the ball around is one of the best things you can do. However, to speed up this process, go to a batting cage, but instead of hitting the balls, catch them instead. These zingers will give you a pocket in no time.
4. Any time you are hanging out, go get your glove and a ball and throw the ball into your glove. The repetition over time will help form the pocket in your glove.
5. When you are done with your glove, store the glove with your ball in it, wrap it with something to keep it shut. Some kids, when I was growing up, would store their gloves under their beds, but this is not recommended as it can split your seems and cause long term damage to your glove.