HG, How do you break in your gloves?

[Elijah]

HiddenGem, I was wondering how you break in your gloves when you get new ones?

I just oil mine and use it as much as I can but I used to use shaving cream and ties. I have a Zett catchers mitt I have had for years and it is still barely broken in, Ive really only used it approx 50 games or so. Anyhow this year it is feeling pretty good but I still get some pop outs from the stiff leather, I realize you are not a catcher but I value your input.

Just curious on how you "pro" guys do it these days. I have heard alot about soaking in water and baking or just letting it form after the water treatment (5 minutes) but never liked the idea of soaking a $100+ glove in water.

Thanks HG - Elijah

[YankeesCatcher]

I'm breaking in my Catcher's mitt too, buddy.

I just sit with it a few hours a day and crack balls in and out of it.

[bbjunkie]

Oil it, put a couple balls in the pocket and web and wrap it. When you unwrap it, use it to catch with for a while (not in a game) or continuously throw a ball into it while you're sitting around. Oil it and wrap it again when you put it away for the winter.

[Elijah]

Well that is what i have been doing so I guess it just takes more time. It is a really good glove, well at least that is what I have heard, "the longer it takes to break in the better the glove"

I may get another one, I have noticed some catchers mits with some really nice deep pockets on tv (spring training) and can't figure out what brand they are.

I currently use a zett and it is nice but it doesn't snag balls like my old mizuno used to. What I mean by snag is that when a ball is way outside or unreachable the end web will kinda of stick the ball and suck it in nicely.

So if anyone know what the industry standard pro catchers mitt is please let me know. What I mean by industry standard is a glove that the majority of the pro and semi pro catchers use. I will watch more closely when we get some more games on tv but sooner the better. Of course I will do some reseacrh on google too.

[YankeesCatcher]

One word

Rawlings

[Staredge]

Take a look at a book called GLOVE AFFAIRS. Other than being a great book on the history of gloves, it also has a section on how to break them in. One of the things he says you can do with a catcher's mitt is take the blunt end of the bat & pound the heck out of the pocket. They say that if the glove is a good leather, it'll take whatever you put it through.

[WhizKids20]

Don't use oil on your glove because it adds weight to it. Use vasoline instead. After the first time you use it (even if it's only a quick catch), spread it all over the glove. EVERYWHERE, even the laces. After that, wipe it off with a towel, stick a ball in the palm and tie a rubber band around it, and then put some weight on it. Every once in a while after that when you have a catch, repeat this.

The easiest way to break in a glove is during practice. When the season is over, put a lot of vasoline on the glove and then whipe it off, and let a ball set in it for a couple of months. I never used a catcher's mitt, but I was able to break my outfielders glove in pretty easily. Someone said earlier "one word 'rawlings'." I am not sure why though. I have a Nokona glove and it is much better than any other glove, including a couple Rawlings, I had before.

One last thing, if you really, really, really need the glove broken in in a short period of time, get something like a hammer and pound the pocket and creases of the glove. It is the same as using a ball to break it in, only harder. Some people who are experts on gloves say you aren't supposed to do this, but from the many gloves I have owned in the past, nothing bad happened as a result. Hope I helped

[Bob Hannah]

I use Vasoline (or any plain petroleum jelly similar to Vasoline) on our gloves, too. Matter of fact, that's what Nokona recommends. Vasoline is oil based, but the advantage is a small bit goes a long way because it spreads so easily. It helps preserve the leather, cleans it and aids in creating a seal to repel moisture. As you say, WhizKids20, ensure the Vasoline is wiped thoroughly from the glove.

Avoid water and heat methods, they are bad for the leather. Some shaving cream can be bad for the leather, too, as some creams contain alcohol or other agents that dry the leather.

For you guys who are serious about the gloves and don't mind spending some money, check out their website. Their catchers' mittt in the Praying Mantis series will cost you two bills.

Akadema products link (http://www.akademapro.com/)

[Elijah]

http://www.baseballtips.com/akadema/mantis.html

preying mantis $130 :)

It does look good, i like the snap feature, when ball hits it automatically helps close shut.

Thanks Bob

edit $130 with free shipping, looks like I may give it a try.
http://www.softball-bats.org/apm-42.html

[commerce_comet]

I have a Mizuno and that baby broke in within a week with barely any additives. They suggested using shaving cream on their website. But the best way, I've found, to break in a glove is to just use it. Oh, and don't let anyone else stick their hands in your glove.

[Ichi Ro]

Buy a Nokona and there is not much breaking it in. They are pretty soft to begin with. Also, they are the last company still left that makes their gloves in the good old USA!!!

[NateB.]

I guarantee this product 100% and it will not injure your gloves leather at all, in fact it improves it. This product, along with catch, will break a glove in and make it last forever. Use the product on your glove lightly about once every two weeks or whenever the leather gets dry from use and you will not be disappointed. Here is a link you can get if from:

Dr. Jackson's Hide Rejuvenator (http://www.austinleatherworks.com/catalog/dr__jackson_s_hide_rejuvenator_1887822.htm)

You should be also be able to pick it up at local leather shops like Tandy Leather.

I can not tell how great of a product this is.

[a-rod13]

i found dunking it in water put your hand in it and then start shaping it and thrown balls in and out straight away. I did that with all my gloves and never had any problems with, Still in good shape after 10 years, and these werent cheap gloves either.

Just my 2 cents

[hiddengem]

I along with many major and minor league players use a product called "Lexol" you can get it at Pep Boys. I oil the entire glove and then I put the glove in the microwave for about 15 seconds or so. Don't do it any longer than that at one time, or you could be in for a disaster. The glove will come out hot obviously but will be much softer. After that I take the glove down to the cage and and turn the Iron Mike machine on and catch about 50-100 balls.

Do this for about a week, along with using it during BP/practice and you should be good.

As far as the comment about "Rawlings", Very few catchers in the major leagues use a Rawlings glove. Piazza, Posada and maybe a couple others, but most use either All-Star, Mizuno or Wilson.

Fielding gloves is a different story.

[andrewlevino]

If you soak your glove you are throwing a couple hundred dollars out of the window. What I do is I put shaving cream on the inside of the glove and put if in the microwave for about 45 seconds. If the shaving cream starts to bubble then take it out of the microwave. But if you get it right then your glove will be very well broken in.

[andrewlevino]

As far as the comment about "Rawlings", Very few catchers in the major leagues use a Rawlings glove. Piazza, Posada and maybe a couple others, but most use either All-Star, Mizuno or Wilson.

Notice how both of those pitchers are all-stars.

[XFactor]

Yeah but they aren't all stars for their glove. It doesn't matter what glove you use, AS LONG AS YOU CATCH DAH BALL! I know how most kids like to use certain gloves because "Like oh my gosh, Torii Hunter uses this glove and it enables him to rob home runs! And I bet it makes him a better hitter too!" But as long as you can catch the ball... it doesn't matter what kind of glove it is, as long as it's comfortable and you can... (wow does this sound like a broken record or what?) catch the ball :)

But that is a little off topic, seeing how they want to know how to break in your glove. Well my friends and I oil up the glove with something.. I forget, then we put a softball in the glove and wrap it up for a few days.

[DarterBall]

If you soak your glove you are throwing a couple hundred dollars out of the window. What I do is I put shaving cream on the inside of the glove and put if in the microwave for about 45 seconds. If the shaving cream starts to bubble then take it out of the microwave. But if you get it right then your glove will be very well broken in.



If you use the water method, you don't soak it in water. The glove or mitt should be emersed for a couple of minutes. That's not enough time for the leather to become saturated, but it is enough time to break down some of the newness in the leather. After a couple of minutes in water, take it out, shake it off, put a ball in it and tie it up in the desired shape. Let it dry for a couple of days, untie it, oil it (I like shaving cream with lanolin, a skin softener that will also soften the leather.) and play catch with it.
For all of the non-water naysayers, this is not something I read. I've used it for 25 years and it works great. I tell my players that I will break it in for them and if I ruin it, I will replace it. I haven't had a complaint yet.

[TwelveGage]

I don't really remember how I broke my catcher's mitts in, but I'm sure it was the whole oil it up and just work it type deal. But I remember with one of my fielders gloves me and my dad oiled it up, worked it (by working it, I mean just bending it back and forth, just working the leather), oiled it again, put a baseball in it , wrapped it, covered it with a towel and ran over it a few times with the car. Sounds bizzaar, I know, but it worked. I used it that evening and it was fine.

[whatswailing]

Notice how both of those pitchers are all-stars.

Notice how both of those guys aren't pitchers?

[WonderMonkey]

I break in my son's gloves with a shaving cream like stuff called "Heat". Spread it on and bake a few times. Wrap up a few baseballs and put it under something heavy. My son is a catcher and we have done three of his catcher's mitts and his fielding glove. After breaking it in to a certain point we will use Vasaline to seal the pores.

[YankeesCatcher]

I stomp on my gloves to break them in.

[WonderMonkey]

My personal favorite is Nokona gloves. A few oven treatments and vasoline and off we go. My son has the top layer one and I have the one below it. My nephew swears by another brand and I'm sure it's great but I won't use anything but Nokono unless proven otherwise.

My HS baseball coach used to soak the catcher's mitts in water.

I think there are several ways to get the same result, but generally the overuse of oil will weigh down the glove.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

Why do you need to use anything? All ive done with all my mitts is use em in practice, wail balls into em while im sitting around, and tie it up good with a ball in it and leave it under my mattress for about a month. It takes a while (half a year about) but its guaranteed not to hurt the glove.

[wogdoggy]

why need to do anything? cause eventually the sand and dirt will beat your leather and make it crack.lexol use on my leather seats has made my car seats last longer as well.

[sschirmer]

Shaving cream is okay, but it fades the color a bit. If you use it, also use a very, very fine coat of either baby oil or vaseline along with it. I personally don't like the water methods, as it can dry out the leather. Also be careful with the vaseline, as too thick of a coat can add weight, much as oil does. I saw Heat mentioned earlier, and it is a very good product. I've been using my Wilson A2000 for 21 years now, and it's still holding up pretty well. Thats playing at a 40-50 game per year clip.

[RottenGazebo]

I along with many major and minor league players use a product called "Lexol" you can get it at Pep Boys. I oil the entire glove and then I put the glove in the microwave for about 15 seconds or so. Don't do it any longer than that at one time, or you could be in for a disaster. The glove will come out hot obviously but will be much softer. After that I take the glove down to the cage and and turn the Iron Mike machine on and catch about 50-100 balls.

Do this for about a week, along with using it during BP/practice and you should be good.

As far as the comment about "Rawlings", Very few catchers in the major leagues use a Rawlings glove. Piazza, Posada and maybe a couple others, but most use either All-Star, Mizuno or Wilson.

Fielding gloves is a different story.
Can this Lexol be used only for leather gloves or all gloves?

[RottenGazebo]

Shaving cream is okay, but it fades the color a bit. If you use it, also use a very, very fine coat of either baby oil or vaseline along with it. I personally don't like the water methods, as it can dry out the leather. Also be careful with the vaseline, as too thick of a coat can add weight, much as oil does. I saw Heat mentioned earlier, and it is a very good product. I've been using my Wilson A2000 for 21 years now, and it's still holding up pretty well. Thats playing at a 40-50 game per year clip.
I tried just a little bit of baby oil on my light brown glove, and it stained it.

[hiddengem]

Can this Lexol be used only for leather gloves or all gloves?


It is a leather conditioner so I'm not sure. If you are using a glove with fake leather, just try it on a small spot first and see what happens.

[runningshoes]

What do you think of Nike gloves, HG?

I bought one last month and it's surprisingly supple. It's very comfortable and it's not going to need much working in. It's really quite usable now.

[RottenGazebo]

It is a leather conditioner so I'm not sure. If you are using a glove with fake leather, just try it on a small spot first and see what happens.
Yeah, but are non-leather gloves OK to put in the microwave?

[wogdoggy]

please use your micro for food only.lol

[RottenGazebo]

please use your micro for food only.lol
There's been a lot of people saying to put gloves in the microwave.

[pgibbons]

I'm an amateur and for amateur needs, I don't agree with the use of microwave ovens for breaking in leather gloves. I can't find a single manufacturer of leather gloves that recommends microwaving.

One manufacturer says "It has been reported that microwave ovens have been used and this can be damaging in that it removes necessary alum from the leather and “pops” metal grommets from their seatings."

I don't know what alum is, but I know metal grommets will put on a nice show if you microwave 'em, so if you have any metal on your glove, don't microwave it.

If your glove is plastic, the microwave could melt it, so exercise caution - but I still don't think you should microwave it at all.

There are many people on the net that work on baseball gloves for a living, none of them recommend the use of ovens for anything other than food.
Here is what they do recommend:
http://www.sandalady.com/
http://www.glovedoctor.net/GLOVECARE.htm
http://www.glovesmith.com/glovecare.asp

Also, here are Rawlings recommendations for breaking in a glove:
http://www.rawlings.com/flash/gloveguide/gloveGuide_content.html

[trip]

Ask a thousand people, get a thousand different answers. Like math, there may not be one set way to break in a glove. There are far too many variables (quality of leather, environmental differences, technique, etc.) to say that one size fits all. Over the years, I have tried most of the techniques listed, with varying degrees of success. My best results have come from a lanolin cream used by breastfeeding mothers (my wife is a nurse in a Neonatal unit). If it is good enough for mom's delicates, it is good enough for me!

Not to put to fine a point on it, just use the glove. Most things that are worthwhile take a bit of time. Breaking in the glove is the same way. Just because we have become a fast food society does not mean one should cut corners with a glove. Take your time, catch with it, bend the heck out of it, roll it, whatever. It'll come around.

[hiddengem]

Go to a stinkin Cage...put about 10 quarters in the machine with a pitch at about 65-70mph and catch every ball in the pocket...do that for 3 days in a row, throw some leather conditioner in there and go play. Simple as that.

[Fuddrules]

My best results have come from a lanolin cream used by breastfeeding mothers

This works! Even if the lanolin isn't that effective, you won't be able to keep your hands off the glove.;)

[Yankeesfan1234]

A Mizuno rep told me- put it in the sun on a hot day until you know that the leather is somewhat softer than before and go and catch around 70-80 balls with it. Do this until your at the point to where you like how your glove is broken in. He also told me to use some glove treatment only when the glove is drying out

[Rennie Stennett]

It's like buying a pair of shoes. You get the best leather you can and you work the leather. Brake it in the way you want it. I always used oil to work my gloves along with puting a baseball in there and wrap it up. My dad bought me three gloves (catcher's mitt/first base glove, and a/fielder's glove) over thirty years ago and they still work great. Once in a while, take the glove out and work the leather with some oil. If you find a glove that works for you, pick up a couple of them.


I don't like fellows who drive in two runs and let in three.

- Casey Stengel

[ydg_feb]

quick question since you are all talking baout gloves, would you recomend a leather glove, or a "cloth" glove for my 10 yr old son's first glove? I don't have many choices here with brands, it's basically the store brand in youth and junior in fake leather or cloth. Thank you

[cavalier1968]

1. Glove foam (walmart 2-3$)
2. Do as can says.....rub in foam
3. PLace ball in it....wrap it up
4. Play catch 3-4 x a week


This broke in my glove in about 3-4 weeks

Cav

[Jesse]

FYI, I used a heat treatment on my Rawlings softball glove and more or less ruined it. I used Hot Glove, which a friend of mine swears by. The glove is definitely "broken in" now, but as a result it won't hold the pocket anymore and it seems to have gone limp...like it got broken in too much or something. It's useable but obviously damaged.

On the other hand, I've done nothing with my Nokona but play catch with it and wrap it up with a ball in it and put it under the matress. It's taking time but it's breaking in beautifully. It came pre-oiled (Walnut leather) so I haven't felt the need to put any vaseline on it yet, but I plan to eventually (per Nokona's recommendation). Nokona doesn't believe in heat or water treating their gloves, and doing so will void their warranty.

The only times I would ever recommend a heat treatment are a) on a cheap glove you don't mind ruining, or b) for a small child who hasn't learned to catch well enough to break it in the traditional way, and will outgrow it soon anyway. Even then I would be pretty cautious - maybe do one heat treatment, then play catch with it for a few days before doing another one. I think the reason my Rawlings got messed up is I did too many treatments too quickly.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

If you have the time, and don't need the glove right away, playing catch and putting it under the mattress is the way to go, IMO. I have two gloves (catchers mitt, and a normal easton glove), and both are broken in great now. It took a year to break in the catcher's mitt, but I love it to death now.

All I do to it is use a leather treatment wipe on it every couple months. I use these wipes (http://www.methodhome.com/products/detail.php?prodName=ps_lwipes). They're biodegradeble and they smell good too.

[FiveFrameSwing]

Oil it, put a couple balls in the pocket and web and wrap it. When you unwrap it, use it to catch with for a while (not in a game) or continuously throw a ball into it while you're sitting around. Oil it and wrap it again when you put it away for the winter.
a a

[FiveFrameSwing]

I oil the entire glove and then I put the glove in the microwave for about 15 seconds or so.

a a

[Jake Patterson]

That's one of the worst pieces of advice I've ever read on this message board.

Five, what do you suggest?

[dougmac]

There is a product called Lexol. I have used everything you can think of for over 40 years and it is far and away the best. It is sold in feed stores and is outstanding on leather. Just pour some on a dry cloth and rub it into the glove, and then play catch every day. Use the Lexol 2-3 times until the leather feels softer and then use it sparingly for the life of the glove. It is great for the glove and really helps when breaking it in.

Don't use the microwave, shaving cream or any other cheap product. Don't use glove oil as it will make the glove heavy.

You break a glove in by using it.....play catch every day with it until it feels ready to use in a game.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

Placing a leather product in a microwave is one of the quickest ways to degrade it. The use of microwaves is one of the approaches used to enhance aging and promote permeation degradation during QA testing.

I'm sure that this is true, however. Is it correct to assume, HG, that you do this because it breaks them in quickly? I would think that you don't have the time to do it just by playing catch with it. How many gloves do you go through a year?

[chesspirate]

y'know what, i don't think anyone has actually thanked HG for his input....
Thanks HG for letting us in on how you do it, and how others at your level do it as well.

[Jake Patterson]

quick question since you are all talking baout gloves, would you recomend a leather glove, or a "cloth" glove for my 10 yr old son's first glove? I don't have many choices here with brands, it's basically the store brand in youth and junior in fake leather or cloth. Thank you

If it's his first find something that fits well and is easy to use. I do not suggest spending a bunch of money until you're are certain he will enjoy the game.

[therumour]

I like my gloves a bit stiff (both infield and outfield). So I prefer to loosen the lacing on the finger stalls and around the web , then use it in practice or just for backyard catch. Sometimes manufacturers are stingy with leaving any slack on the glove's lacing. With those models I will re-lace either or both the web and finger stalls, and occasionally the entire glove. I can always tighten the lacing (if needed, but rarely) later..

:blah: -theRumour

[beisbolcrazy22]

The way I break in my catcher's mitt is to go to the batting cages. Cant wait for friends to play catch, so I put in a few tokens and spend the morning moisterizing the mitt and catching the balls.

[JeffFrancoeur7]

i have a 13 inch mizuno and its a nice glove and it took a week to break it in i used weights and that glove jelly in the oven and it broke in in like 3 days i also have a mizuno 1st basemen mitt and that broke in like butter so i prefer mizunos and they're cheap they were about 180 dollars combined

[1switch_hitter]

i use a long table i rest the legs on the glove after i practice with it to break in a new glove. its a trick my old coach told us when i used to play back in grade school. not sure if that even works now since i just use conditioning oils now along with resting a weight on it.

[Drill]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/Drill_U/Mitt_Masher.jpg

I got the Mitt Masher and Conditioner along with the apm 41 Catcher Mitt in kip leather.
Akadema® Professional's Glove Conditioner is just the right mixture of leather conditioners to do the job. Designed to help the break-in process, Akadema's Glove Conditioner helps seal the correct ingredients in the leather, while adding little or no weight to the glove. This process gives your glove longevity and continued success on the field.

from akadema page below

http://www.akademapro.com/proshop.html

been breaking in there apm 41 mitt with kip leather for my son.

I drive my wife crazy sometimes using the above mitt masher. Oh don't use when the wife is taking a nap, it makes a lot of noise and will wake up your spouse in a bad mood, this is the only bad thing about the mitt masher. For breaking in your glove just sitting around or if you start to get ridges in your glove or need to take ridges out this is the tool.

I have my son catch with it in practice and I plan to take him by our batting cage and fire up the machine to zip some in on the glove and him in full gear. My arm is gone and my wife can throw better than me. I only throw when someone needs to learn how to get out of the way of a ball. (tennis ball)

Starting to break in and form a nice pocket. Need about another week of hard catches and should be game ready for fall ball if not sooner. Its up to him.

Getting my son some catching lessons from a college coach who use to catch in his day and and x scout for pirates. He uses Wilson glove. fyi
Catch, catch, catch to break it in is what i was told. Go to the glove manufacture and they usually let you know what is the best way to break in your glove.


hope this helps,

drill

[exitar1]

Vasoline is safe to use on a glove it wont soak thru the glove like mineral oil,

some people say pure lanolin is good also you can get it in the baby products

section of the supermarket in a small tube. My experience is that most of

these products protect the leather rather than soften it.

Using the glove is really the way to get it ready.

Some good gloves for a 10 year old are the easton travel ball and stealth

gloves they are soft already and are well made and have good padding.

[jamesh23]

thread was 4 months old

[paul5150]

thread was 4 months old

so? people can still use his information. Chill out.