How to Break in an A3000

A new Wilson A3000, or any other baseball mitt for that matter, is not a perfect fit for anyone until it is broken in. It is stiff, making it hard to grip the ball when catching it. There are many bad ways to break in an A3000. Some people dunk them in water and work the leather over the end of a baseball bat to soften it or put them in the microwave. All this really does is ensure that the glove will deteriorate rapidly. There is only one proper way to make your A3000 actually fit like a glove.

Things You'll Need

  • Glove oil
  • Soft rag
  • Baseball
  • Rubber bands
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Apply a liberal amount of glove oil to a soft rag. Rub the A3000 glove with the oily rag, distributing the oil evenly over the surface of the glove. Do not saturate the glove. Excess oil will leave a stain. Re-oil the rag as needed

    • 2

      Place a baseball firmly in the pocket of the glove. The pocket is located just above the heel of the glove and below the webbing.

    • 3

      Wrap the glove tightly around the baseball and secure it with several rubber bands stretched around the A3000. Let the glove sit overnight.

    • 4

      Remove the rubber bands and the baseball. Play catch with another person for as long as time will allow, catching the ball with the A3000.

    • 5

      Oil the glove as before and wrap it around the baseball and let it sit overnight again. Repeat daily until the stiffness is gone and the glove is broken in.