It’s that time of year again when you dust off your old glove, or maybe buy a new one, and start dreaming of the day you make that final out to win the game for your team.
But how do you break in a catcher’s glove properly so it’s ready for action?
There are plenty of methods to help; some take patience and practice, and some even a little bit of violence. However, not all the ways will help you break in a catcher’s glove while maintaining its proper shape.
Don’t worry; we get you covered! will show you how to break in your catcher’s glove the right way, so it keeps its shape and is game-ready in no time.
Stay Tuned!
3 Steps to Break in a Catcher’s Glove
First, let’s talk about a method from a baseball pro that seems to be the most effective in breaking in a catcher’s glove while maintaining its proper shape.
– Step 1: Fill One Ball Between the Web and the Palm
The first step is to take an old baseball or a softball and insert it into the area between the webbing and palm of the glove. Make sure to insert the ball as far back into the glove as possible.
– Step 2: Put the Second One in the Palm
After you have the first ball inserted, take your second ball and place it directly in the palm of the glove.
– Step 3: Wrap the Glove with Wires
Once you have both balls in place, take a piece of wire or string and wrap it around the glove to secure the balls in place.
You can leave the glove overnight or for a few days so that the balls can help shape the glove. After a day or two, remove the balls and wire, and voila! You have a broken-in glove that is ready for action.
If you don’t want to go through all that trouble, you can simply use your glove as is. It might not be perfectly broken in, but it will gradually form to your hand the more you use it.
Some Quick But Damaging Ways to Break in Your Baseball Mitt
If you are in a hurry, there are some quick but damaging ways to break in your baseball that we don’t recommend.
– Put It In the Oven
One method that people use is to put the glove in the oven on low heat for a few minutes. This will help soften the leather, but it can also cause it to dry out and crack.
– Rub Vaseline/Cream/Oils All Over It
Another popular method is to rub vaseline, cream, or oils all over the glove to help soften it.
This works well and won’t damage your glove for once, but it can cause the leather more easily to break out after days of usage.
– Run A Car Over It Or Use Violence
Lastly, some people use violence to break in their gloves. This includes running them over with a car or hitting them with a hammer.
In this way, you have a high potential to get a flat, damaged glove that is unusable. We don’t recommend this method if you are a starter and don’t know how to control your strength.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! Those are three simple but effective ways to break in your catcher’s glove while maintaining its proper shape. And for those violent methods, use them if you are really in a hurry.
So, the next time you get a new glove or need to break in it, follow these steps, and you’ll be good to go.
And don’t forget to following our websites to gain more knowledge about all types of gloves and glove tips!
