Choosing and breaking in
baseball gloves

The process of breaking in baseball gloves is widely varied and each ballplayer has certain methods they like to use. There is no exact science to this process and some consider it more of an art than anything. Any player you ask will probably tell you something different from the next.

This article will explain what I believe to be the basic core methods that every player should use for breaking in baseball gloves. Let’s start from the beginning…choosing a glove.

Obviously, you will need to know which position you will be playing when using the glove. That is your first search criteria. When you are searching for gloves at the sporting goods store, the odds are that when you try one on the leather is not very soft, there is not much of a pocket, and it takes all your might to get the thing closed. Although this is the case, you still want to look for something that is comfortable on your hand.

You must be able to get your hand in and out with ease and plenty of room for your fingers to move around. Not so much room so that it is flimsy on your hand, but just enough to be snug. You’ll know when you are trying them on if it feels right or not. Choosing a glove is all about comfort.

Never buy with the intention of forming the glove the way you want it after it is broken in. Even though new gloves you try on will be very stiff, it should still fit properly and close relatively close to the way you want it to. Make sure it closes in a way that feels right to you. Once you’ve got your glove picked out, it’s time to start the breaking in process.

A baseball glove is not like other pieces of equipment. Your glove is much like a relationship that must be developed and cared for throughout its lifespan. With proper care and upkeep, a nice glove should last a good 2-3 years, and maybe more, depending on how often it is used.

The objectives of breaking in baseball gloves is to soften the leather and form a pocket while increasing the flexibility so it can be opened and closed with ease. Let’s start with the pocket.

I can personally say that the absolute best way to form a pocket, while adding flexibility to the glove is by simply just catching balls with it. After catching enough balls, it will begin to form the pocket you are looking for while adding flexibility to help it close the way it needs to.

Use it while playing catch before practice or games. I wouldn’t recommend using a glove that isn’t broken in during games. If you do you risk making errors in the field. Something else that I’ll do while not playing catch is just pick up a ball while sitting on the bench or at home and throw it into your glove hand. Throw it hard enough to help form the pocket. A few minutes of that here and there and it shouldn’t take too long to get the job done.

Outside of playing catch there is one other thing you can do to help increase flexibility. Simply put a ball in the glove where the pocket is, and tie it shut with a string or band. Not so tight that it severely stretches the leather or puts stress on the lacing, but enough to keep it shut all the way with the ball in it.

While forming the pocket, you should also be softening the leather. To do this, there are a number of products available that can be applied to the glove to keep it moist. I am no expert on leather, but in the past I have used petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and many other types of commercial products specifically designed for glove conditioning and softening.

I have even used a product that has you put the glove in the oven to heat it up after application. I would not recommend doing this because I’ve read that this can damage the leather. I’ve also heard of soaking the glove in a bucket of water to soften it up. This is definitely not recommended because when it dries the leather will become tough and start to crack.

My bottom line advice on softening the leather is to not apply anything to the glove until you’ve read the recommendation from the manufacturer. All leather is tanned differently, and one method may work better than the other. Check out the manufacturer’s website and see what they recommend.

If you still can’t find anything, go ahead and try a commercial product from your local sporting goods store. You could try the Vaseline if you want. I’ve also heard that “Neatsfoot oil” is good as well. Whatever you put on it, be sure not to over saturate the glove so it is too heavy.

Once the glove is broken in, I highly recommend not letting anyone else use your glove for practice or play, because I can guarantee that it will not feel the same when you get it back. For instance, I’ve got skinny fingers. If I let someone with thicker fingers than me use my glove, it is going to be looser on my hand when I put it back on. Also, it may not close the exact same way that you like it to. As a guideline, try not to let anyone else use your glove but you.

I hope this sheds some light on breaking in baseball gloves. All players have different preferred methods and there is no specific or right way to do it. If you follow the advice on this page, you shouldn’t have too much trouble and the glove will be game ready before you know it.

How do you break in your glove??

Now that you've read my suggestions on how to break in your glove, tell me how you do it. Maybe you agree with me, maybe not. Either way, if you believe you have a great secret, let the visitors know how you do it.

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