How To Break In A Baseball Glove

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   HubPagesposted 13 years ago

   How To Break In A Baseball Glove

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2. 86

   shancontentedposted 13 years ago

   There are a number of ways you can break in a baseball glove. The manufacturer of your glove will likely be able to give you the best practice for your particular glove. I recommend this if you are using a more high end glove. If you are looking to... read more

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   Michael Adams1959posted 13 years ago

   I tried once freezing it. I was told to use glove oil , put a ball in it, tie a string around it and put it in the freezer over night. I never thought it would work but was surprised it actually did work.

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4. 60

   lanealaneaposted 13 years ago

   We use to put oil on the glove and put a baseball in the perfect spot and roll over it with the car a couple times. Sounds crazy but that's what we did and my brother was a professional baseball player and it worked for him too. Hope this helps some. Lanea

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   KatyWhoWaitedposted 13 years ago

   There's a beautiful essay by Bill Meisner in "Hitting Into the Wind".  I recall it's about showing his son how to break in a baseball glove. (I can't remember the exact title of that particular essay). "Hitting Into the Wind is a wonderful collection of observations for anyone who loves baseball.  I had Professor Meisner for my Creative Writing Class in St. Cloud, MN, but I had heard about "Hitting Into the Wind" before I ever took his class.  One of my favorite essays in that book is on Kirby Puckett's legs.  It's quite sweet, actually.

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   hitalotposted 13 years ago

   By spitting on it some say that is the solution,
   Human saliva and luck !

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7. 81

   cyoung35posted 13 years ago

   Nothing feels like an old worn baseball glove. It's soft and pliable not like a brand new one that is hard and stiff. We show you how to break in your new glove fast to give you that used feel quicker. read more

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8. 60

   togetherwedareposted 13 years ago

   I have played and coached ball all my life and recently joined an over 35 year old team.  I have tried many ways to break in a glove.  The best method that I have found is this:
   
   -  load it up with shaving cream...cream, not gel!
   -  lather it up and rub it in
   -  shape, insert ball, and wrap with multiple rubber bands across the width of the glove
   -  use the glove while getting loose before each practice or game for about a year (have a catch with it about twice a week during the off season)
   -   after a year, it should be ready to use as your "game" glove
   
   Ongoing maintenance of your game glove should also follow an annual shaping and shaving cream treatment regimen as well.  If maintenance is undertaken a glove could last as your "game" glove for years with only replacement of laces as needed.
   
   -Patrick

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      ryan-cdposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Patrick,
      
      Thanks, I guess this means I should buy a  more expensive better quality glove in the first place right? If its going to take a year of constant shaping to fit and be my game glove, because then it should break less? do you have any reco

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9. 61

   pette059posted 12 years ago

   The best way to break in a new glove is to play catch with it. I think too many people stress putting string around it with a softball in it or putting a bunch of glove oil on it. Breaking it in playing catch ensures it will be broken in the correct way for you when it's ready. Don't take shortcuts.

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10. 61

    proudtobeadadposted 12 years ago

    Ditto on what Patrick said.  Shaving cream is the best.  Glove oil actually is bad for the glove.  Instead of moistening the leather to break it in, it actually allows dirt to get embedded in the leather.  It actually causes it to break down.
    
    The only other thing is (for a fielder's glove) is to turn it inside out a couple of times a week and work the strings between the fingers of the webbing.

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