Breaking in a new glove

You said it, great post. Try to purchase the replacement a month or two before you need it. You can tell when your primary glove is beginning to wear out. Use the new glove for practice and pre-game long toss. You can apply a small bit of oil or lanolin to the laces (to provide flexibility, and 'give'), the palm is best broken in by use and strapping a softball or 2 baseballs inside when not in use. My son always has a back-up glove ready to go. He uses it in practice and catching bullpens so when he needs to make the switch he's familiar with it and comfortable with it, making the transition seamless.

I've seen so many floppy, soft and heavy gloves that have been over-oiled. Some people like this but I believe that's the exception and not the norm.

 

My son absolutely WORSHIPS his gloves. Not sure what "process" he used religiously for breaking in his gloves, but a few years ago, I did notice that he went from curling his glove inwards, to opening his glove more like a fan. Of course, anytime he made an error, I blamed it on what I thought was an unconventional way he had of breaking in his glove. But now, I can see when I look at the pros, the pinky and thumb of the glove are mostly outward pointing and my so says that breaking the glove in this way forms a "funnel" as the dude up there earlier said. He also never threw his glove down, he always rested it, pocket down, with the fingers in a permanent outward "pose." The glove looks funny that way, but I guess it works!

 

Exactly! I had a teammate in college teach me this. I always lay my glove pocket down and make sure the fingers stay straight. If anyone tries on my glove, i always tell them 'don't curl it'. Curling it actually takes away some of the surface area of the glove.

As for breaking it in, i simply put lots of leather/glove oil in the pocket and start playing catch with it. I make sure i keep plenty of oil on the entire glove to make sure the leather is moiturized...but you should do that anyway. I used to use some saddle oil from Lebo's. That was a lot better than any other glove oil you get at a sporting good store. You don't need to tie it up...dont need to put it in the oven or dip it in water. Just play catch and keep it oiled.

 

My son actually has a panic attack if anyone tries on his glove. And God forbid if someone DOES try it on and doesn't rest the correct finger through the opening on the top of the glove. aye yai yai

 

So 'lil Bonsy doesn't slide his bat through his glove handle and carry it? I'm glad he didn't see that time that I used his glove and wrote (small print) USC...slash the US then ECU on it? Oops...

 

When i played, I didn't really let anyone else touch my glove. Now i am just a once i a blue moon softball player so it's not as big a deal. But they'll hear about not bending it. I just re-read what you said about looking at the professionals....and you're right. My teamate's brother played in the big leagues for almost 10 years and another brother played AAA ball, so i listened to him. Oh...he was also the smoothest SS i ever played with...made four errors in two college seasons.

 

oh YOU'RE the one that did that???!!!

 

Shhh...no need for him to know now. But I have noticed since that time he has been swinging that bat with authority and scoops balls not normally made...so yeah...I guess you could tell him