Breaking in a new baseball glove?

[nitrox28]

Just got a new glove. First one in about 20 years! :D I was freaked out when I saw some gloves marked $300! I got a nice 13" Nike glove for $60 and it feels and fits great! Are there any good ways to break in a new glove? I haven't had a new glove since I played little league. Thanks for any input!
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[Art]

Oil it up real good to start with and start using it. You can make the leather soft with the oil, but you can't do much for breaking it in other than just using it..If it rubs your fingers on the inside, wear a batting glove for a while..

[brobrian]

One of the easiest things to do is oil the palm of the glove first and then use a little on the fingers of the glove. Then take whatever kind of ball (softball, baseball) and place in the glove. Then wrap a heavy duty rubber band around it and let it sit over night at least. If you are going to play infield, then do all as above, but also take the top of the glove (hold the glove closed and curve the tips) and put it into a coffee cup. This will lip the end and make it easier to scoop up ground balls.
Good luck and have fun

[nitrox28]

Motor oil? ;) I guess they make a special oil for ball gloves?

[Art]

Motor oil? ;) I guess they make a special oil for ball gloves?

Umm, yes, they do.. I have used Redwing Boot oil and stuff similar. Any oil made for leather will do..Stay away from the stuff that says, "For internal combustion engines only.";)

[schuyler olt]

Leo Cardenas, the Reds' SS back in the sixties, would break a new glove in by hitting it for a couple hours with a ball bat. Rawlings makes a very good glove oil, and plain old mineral oil works fine. Use a bunch--you really can't "overoil" one. Man, I miss playing ball....

[ChuckBeav31]

All the above statements are true. Rawlings makes a good glove oil, there is also a glove foam you put on it and rub in. Be sure as you put the oil/foam on you work it into the leather as you do it..its easy if you put the glove on while you do this. Also grab a ball and pound it into the glove repeatedly into the palm and lower palm of the glove...be sure to loosen up that lower part because if you don't, the ball may bounce right out. If you really want to get it good and loose, I guess I could throw you a few...I think I can still hit high 70's low 80's :D

[Turtleky]

I always oiled them up real good, put a ball in it, tied it together and put it under the matress for a couple days.

[SixPack07]

I would not say you can't over oil the glove. I have worked in a sporting goods store for the last 7 years and we've had a few over the years come in with gloves that they looked like they soaked in a bucket of oil. It's not good to over oil them too much. We've had a few black ones this year that got over oiled and the black rubbed right off onto the ball. Oil it, play catch as much as you can, and tie a ball in it when you aren't using it.

[ky_horsetrainer]

Oil it up real well with the rawlings oil then put two baseballs in the glove(one in the pocket and one in the palm)roll the balls up in the glove and wrap it up and tie it with some string and sleep on under your matress for a night or two. remove the balls and mink oil it real well, rub it all in, then you will have a wonderful glove


hint... when ever you store it in the winter do the above again but you dont have to put it under your matress and have fun

[bck-skinnr]

Neatsfoot Oil If You Can Find It. Ck. Leather Shops For It. And The Best Way To Do It Is To Use It.

[nitrox28]

I guess I could throw you a few...I think I can still hit high 70's low 80's :D

I didn't know you played slow pitch softball! :D

[trust me]

Here's how I do my kid's gloves. Place a small towel on a cookie sheet, glove on the towel, and put in a low oven (200) for about 10 minutes. (Don't do this if there is any vinyl or naughahyde on the glove.) It should be warm to the touch, but not hot. Then spray shaving cream or rub mink oil all over it and work it in real good. The hot leather will soak it up, then while it is still warm and pliable, go outside and pass ball while it cools. The added moisture in the warm leather will make it easier to stretch and shape, and the best way to do that is to catch a bunch of fastballs.

[ChuckBeav31]

I didn't know you played slow pitch softball! :D

LOL yeah, I had to retire to slow pitch, wish I could still play with the big dogs though!!

Yeah be sure you put a ball or two in it and rubber band it...and if you are just going to lay it down, lay it palm down and spread the fingers, this will help keep a good shape with the glove.