Don't be suprised if you pull your glove out of the bat bag where it has been since October and realize that you've forgotten how floppy it was and how loose the laces are. There are bunches of players in the same boat with you at this point in the pre-season. You can save yourself a little heartache later in the season by cleaning the glove and tightening the laces this next weekend while the East Coast hunkers down for the snow and cold weather. A bottle of Lexol leather cleaner and Lexol leather conditioner will go a long way to keeping your glove in awesome playing shape. You can find Lexol leather care products at Pep Boys and other stores that feature automobile detailing stuff. Tightening the laces will keep them from tearing through the leather make a bad situation worse.
I just finished working on a 2007 Rawlings Gold Glove 11.5" IF model with I web. The glove was about 2 months old with a ruptured lace from HS player's baseball practice. Apparently, Rawlings has started using a non-leather synthetic fiber composite lace in the Gold Glove series gloves, and it obviously does not hold up to serious use. These gloves cost $70 to $90 from various internet dealers and I am sure the switch is all about cutting production costs. If Rawlings has decided to go in this direction, you can bet Easton, Mizuno, and others are close behind. Be especially watchful as you shop for a new glove to make sure that you are getting the quality product you think you are paying for.
Please to take the opportunity to visit my website
www.glovemedic.com for more tips on glove care. My services are there to help you get your glove relaced, conditioned and put it in great playing shape for the Spring season. The usual turn-around on a total relacing job is 1 week to 10 days. I am an active player in the East TN Adult Baseball league, a youth baseball coach, and dad. I appreciate good baseball leather and promise to take care of your glove and treat it right. "Don't pitch it, just re-stitch it".
As you get ready for the new season be sure to take it easy and don't hesitate to use ice and ibuprofen to reduce the inflammation in those achey joints and muscles. Have an awesome season, play hard, and stay healthy!
