There are many suggestions about how to break in a new Fastpitch Softball Glove. Some of them are pretty good and others are beyond doubt bad. It's a wonder some gloves make it to the field at all with the suggestions we have seen or heard of. The main thing you want to remember is to result the manufacturers suggestions for breaking in their gloves.
Your new glove is made of leather, a natural product. The manufacturing process of tanning the hide into leather ordinarily involves adding some kind of oil or chemical into the hide to cure it and soften it. This is ordinarily all that is required for a new glove. There are some Fastpitch gloves that are beyond doubt stiff when brand new that may need a puny more glove conditioner while the break in period. The terms oil and conditioner generally mean the same thing. They aren't so much an oil as they are a conditioner so most manufacturers call them conditioners now. Some of the oils out there will beyond doubt harm the leather and cause it to deteriorate and break down, almost a spongy feel to the leather. That is not how to take care of your new glove.
Small Microwave
So that is some of the things you don't want to do. Here are some suggestions that you do want to do. Ready, it's a tough one. Wait for it...
Go out and play catch! That's it. That is the best way and the Right way to break in your new softball glove. Akadema, one of the most absorbing new glove makers, suggests that you spot condition only when necessary. They also say to please do not under any circumstances put the glove in a microwave or dunk the glove in water.
If your glove is too stiff to beyond doubt play catch, then when you get your new glove you should rub a small number of conditioner - from the constructor - on your glove. Use a sponge or apply with your hand and fingers. Rub it into the palm and back and on the seams and laces. Take off any excess conditioner with a soft cloth. Put a softball in the pocket and tie the glove with a rubber band or string to hold the ball tightly in the pocket of the glove. Leave it to rest overnight, wipe off any excess conditioner and go play catch.
Playing catch with your new glove does a integrate of things to help break it in. By wearing the glove it forms to your hand and catching a ball manipulates the pocket to the shape of the ball. Now isn't that just what you want anyway?
Just putting a ball inside and tying up the glove is ok, but you won't get that "custom" feel and fit that you will by wearing it and playing catch. Try to catch the ball in the pocket as much as possible so the glove will form correctly. You should put a ball in your glove and tie it terminated after playing catch or after the game. This will help keep the shape.
There are lots of gadgets out there for retention the glove closed, most are pretty cool, but if you are a fastpitch softball player worth your salt you already have the best thing in your bag to tie up that glove. Prewrap, that's right just take a length of that colored prewrap that you use to hold back your hair with. It stretches like a rubber band and you could just use the one in your hair when the game is over. You can also use a piece of it tied colse to the wrist strap to recognize your glove quickly. That stuff is pretty neat; wish I had invented it.
Another tip I have heard and seen is to go to the batting cage, get a few tokens and instead of hitting the balls, stand in there and catch them with your new glove. After a integrate tokens, the glove will probably be pretty well broken in and game ready. Also not bad institution for fielding line drives - wear your helmet.
Most gloves should be worn with a batting glove, this helps keep the moisture and sweat from soaking into the inside of the glove. If the batting glove gets wet, replace it with a dry one. A small number of conditioner, not oil, can be rubbed into the inside palm area as a moisture barrier.
What To Do to Break In Your New Glove:
Play Catch - 20 to 30 minutes a day for a integrate weeks is sufficient for most gloves, but your coach won't mind if you go a puny longer. Stiffer gloves may take any weeks to break in properly.
Keep a Ball in Glove - tie a ball in the glove when terminated playing catch and after games or practice.
Spot condition - only do this if the glove is beyond doubt stiff, and ordinarily only on the palm area. A small number on the back can help soften it also. A very small number on the inside can also help keep sweat off the inside.
Mallet - a mallet can be used on beyond doubt stiff gloves to help shape it if you can't play catch long enough. A small number of conditioner on the palm or pocket then hit with the mallet as if catching a ball.
Shaving Cream - This is a formula used by a lot of players. Use a foam type shave cream and lightly apply to the palm area. It also leaves a bit of tackiness, which can be nice to help catch the ball. Don't put too much on, it can leave it mushy. Be sure to wipe all excess shave cream out of the seams and lace holes so the dirt doesn't fetch in there.
Dirt from the Fastpitch softball field will be gritty and act like sandpaper to the seams and laces so wipe your glove after playing.
What Not To Do to Break in Your New Glove:
Use Oils or Vaseline - these will only make the glove heavy and perhaps deteriorate or break down the leather and stitching. Vaseline will clog the pores of the leather on most gloves and this makes them heavy. Do not use Olive oil or linseed oil.
Dunk glove in Water - this is a sure way to ruin a new glove. It may soften it up but it will also help it grow mold and bacteria inside which is bad for you and the glove.
Heat in Microwave - Never do this. The water molecules in the leather will boil and burst holes in the leather. If there is any metal in the glove, well that light show might be neat but it will ruin a nice glove, and your microwave. You may get some good conditioning in while mowing the lawn to pay for a new microwave!
Cook in the Oven - this is suggested by some manufacturers and old timers. If you do this, keep the oven at very low temps (200 deg) and only for 10-15 minutes. Then Take off from oven and apply conditioner. Then go play catch. (caution: if you leave in the oven too long or too hot it can dry the leather or burn it)
Break in your new Fastpitch Softball Glove the Right Way and it will treat you right out on the field.
How to Break in a Fastpitch Softball Glove the Right Way
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