How to Break in a New Softball Mitt

A softball glove is usually somewhat larger than a baseball glove because the softball is larger than a baseball. Players will have much more success fielding the ball during game action if their glove has been broken in properly. Follow a few simple steps to get your glove ready for action.

Things You'll Need

  • Shaving cream
  • Belt or rope
  • Softball
  • Softball bat
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Take your glove in both hands and loosen it up. A new leather glove is likely to be quite stiff. Manipulate the glove by pulling one side and then the other, and then bending the fingers and thumb area backwards and forwards. Do these glove "exercises" for about 15 to 20 minutes.

    • 2

      Rub shaving cream into the palm and fingers area of the glove. The lanolin in the shaving cream tends to loosen up the leather and make the glove easier to manipulate in the fielding process. Rub in the shaving cream for about five minutes and then put another squirt of shaving cream in the pocket of the glove and repeat the process.

    • 3

      Place a softball in the pocket of your glove and then wrap the fingers of the glove around the ball. Place the thumb area of the glove over the fingers. Take a belt or a rope and tie the glove tightly in this position and leave the glove with the ball tied up in the pocket for at least 12 hours. This will help your glove form a better pocket and that will help you catch the ball during game action.

    • 4

      Go out and play catch for at least 15 minutes. The best way to break in your glove is to go out on to the field or in your front yard and play catch with it. The harder your partner can throw the ball to you the better chance you have of breaking in your glove faster and getting it into game condition.

    • 5

      Put the glove on your catching hand and take a bat in your throwing hand. Take the barrel end of the bat (the fatter end) and pound it into the pocket of your glove for about five to 10 minutes to continue to loosen it and work the glove into game condition.