How to Break-in Ball Gloves

In sports, it's important that your gloves act as an extension of your body, helping you perform better. This is particularly important with baseball gloves, since you catch the ball with them. New baseball gloves are stiff, though, and they need to be broken in properly before the glove can open and close. This is a multi-step process that takes a few days but, once you're done, your glove will be customized to your hand and perform well.

Things You'll Need

  • Glove oil
  • Sponge applicator
  • Paper towels
  • Baseball
  • Shaping bands
  • Ball Mallet
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pour a small amount of glove oil onto the sponge applicator. Run the oil across the entire surface of the glove. Apply more oil to the laces, and make sure to cover all sides of the laces as they need to flex with the glove. Wipe off any excess oil on the glove using a paper towel.

    • 2

      Place a baseball in the glove where the palm meets the pocket of the glove. Fold the glove shut. Pull one of the shaping bands around the glove and place it so the bottom edge is at the bottom of the ball. Then pull up the back off the shaping band so that it sits at the top of the fingers on the glove. Install the second shaping band, but this time put it on the top of the ball, and crossing the previous shaping band so that there is an "X" shape across the sides of the glove.

    • 3

      Allow the glove to sit overnight indoors so the oil can soak into the leather properly. After you take off the shaping bands and remove he ball, put the glove on your hand. Strike the pocket of the glove using the ball mallet for between 5-10 minutes, using the same speed with the mallet as you would receive when catching a ball. Replace the ball and bands and allow the glove to sit overnight.

    • 4

      Take off the shaping bands and remove the ball. Play catch with a friend using a baseball for 5-10 minutes, making sure to focus your catches in the pocket of the glove so that it breaks in properly. Strike the center of the glove with the mallet for 5-10 minutes again to break in the glove further. Strike around the outside and perimeter of the glove if the leather is still stiff in these areas.