How to Break in a New Baseball Glove

Expecting a new baseball glove for Christmas or going to hit those sales after the holidays and get a new baseball or softball glove? If so, you will be wanting to break it in before the Babe Ruth, Little League or other season starts.

The leather that makes up the new glove is likely to be very stiff and while simply using it in practice and games will break it in over time there are alternatives that will speed up the process. Below are two methods that you can use for breaking in that new glove.

The first method, and a much more conventional one, is to use a specially made glove oil that should be applied to the glove with a sponge or cloth. The oil should be spread through all parts of the glove, and worked in where the glove leather seems to be the stiffest. Apply the oil over a period of days (or even weeks) until you feel the glove leather getting softer.

A less expensive alternative to using glove oil would be to use shaving cream to soften the leather.

Proponents of this method say to treat the glove leather like you would your own skin. Meaning, do not subject your glove to excessive heat or cold, or excessive moisture. And even though the glove oil is softening the leather, excessive use of oil will shorten the life of the glove.

The second method that will break in a new glove is very controversial, some say it works great because it is quick and the glove feels great in just a few days. If you choose to use this method, make sure that it will not void your warranty.

The bucket method requires soaking the glove in a bucket of water overnight.

Wait a minute – don’t the glove oil proponents frown on soaking the glove in any kind of liquid?

Yes, they do, and that is why this method is so controversial.

To use this method, begin by finding one or two baseballs that you don’t mind abusing. You’ll need to place these baseballs in the glove’s pocket. Place one ball in the pocket of an infield glove, and two balls in the pocket of the larger outfield glove.

Take some twine and wrap it around your glove so that the ball is secure in the glove’s pocket.

Next, submerge the glove in a bucket of water. Some people say to submerge the glove in hot water for two minutes, however, many players will soak the glove in room temperature water overnight.

The next day, remove your glove and cut away the twine and discard the baseballs. You’ll have a very waterlogged glove, but simply let it air dry for two or three days in the sun. As an alternative to air drying, some players will place the waterlogged glove wrapped in twine in a clothes dryer. The motion of the dryer will help to dry out the glove.

After drying, simply rub some glove oil on the glove to help enrich the leather and you’ll be good to go. Your glove will be soft and game-ready.

The reason this method is so controversial is that glove manufacturers have long said that any kind of excessive moisture will severely shorten the life of the glove.

However, there are many former and current players who swear by the “bucket method” and have broken in their gloves using this method and notice no shortage of their glove’s life span.

Whichever method you use, you will find that “breaking-in” your new glove is necessary for increased performance on the field.