How to Condition a Mitt

A baseball or softball mitt, or glove, gets a lot of use and often is abused, unintentionally, by the owner. Once you get a glove, understand that you and that glove will spend countless hours together and that it should be in top condition. A top baseball or softball mitt can cost in excess of $300; taking proper care of it from the first day you own it is crucial to both its performance and longevity.

Things You'll Need

  • White shaving cream
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pound a ball into the glove repeatedly. Among the best ways to start breaking in a new glove is to simply get a baseball or softball and repeatedly pound it into the pocket of the glove. This will help to soften the leather and make catching easier when you eventually begin throwing. If you have a higher-end glove, the leather should be very stiff at the start. If you have a lower-quality glove, there is a chance the leather already will be broken in. Once the leather is soft enough to retain the ball, you can begin throwing.

    • 2

      Mold the pocket to your liking. Everyone has a different idea of the ideal pocket shape and form. If you want a rounded pocket, place your hand in the glove, and with your throwing hand, proceed to bend the top of the pinky finger hole toward your body. If a rounded pocket is, in fact, what you desire, after you form it, put a ball in the glove and place a thick rubber band around the glove and ball to help the mitt keep its shape.

    • 3

      Use shaving cream to continue to soften the leather. Many glove makers or sporting goods stores will often try to sell you a glove softening oil. These are often expensive. Rather than do this, purchase a can of white shaving cream, which is usually less than $1. Make sure you purchase a can that specifies "with aloe." Take a dab of shaving cream and rub it in the pocket of the glove until all the shaving cream has blended in. Repeat this process for the outside of the finger holes as well. You can even apply a bit of shaving cream to the area of the glove that is covered by your palm. Apply enough for the leather to maintain a softness.