I just got a Rawlings Pro Preferred catchers glove and just wondering what the best way is to break it in?? Its very stiff and need to break it in as fast as possible. Thanks
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Don't try to break it in quickly. You won't be happy with the result.
My son has that glove, and it took about 4 months to get it into a condition he could use it in a game. It's stiffness is its strength, because you want a catchers glove to be stiff in the correct places.
The only way for the glove to be broken in so that it is supple where it should be supple and stiff where it should be stiff is by catching balls with it.
Find another glove you can use in games until the Rawlings is broken in. You won't be sorry. It is a great glove that has to be prepared for game use the right way.
My son has that glove, and it took about 4 months to get it into a condition he could use it in a game. It's stiffness is its strength, because you want a catchers glove to be stiff in the correct places.
The only way for the glove to be broken in so that it is supple where it should be supple and stiff where it should be stiff is by catching balls with it.
Find another glove you can use in games until the Rawlings is broken in. You won't be sorry. It is a great glove that has to be prepared for game use the right way.
BPthrower, Welcome to the HSBBW.
With a glove like the Pro Preferred, There's no fast way to break it in without compromising the mitt itself.
Just play catch, and lite glove oil.
Not much oil at all, just enough to protect the leather.
It's already impregnated with oil.
You can't rush a mitt of that quality, just time will break it in.
EH
With a glove like the Pro Preferred, There's no fast way to break it in without compromising the mitt itself.
Just play catch, and lite glove oil.
Not much oil at all, just enough to protect the leather.
It's already impregnated with oil.
You can't rush a mitt of that quality, just time will break it in.
EH
Go to your local pitching guru and drop it off. Dependng how busy he is it might take a week or two.
Thanks guys. I dont need it broken in right away since I dont catch in games. Im trying to get a bullpen catching job with an MLB team so I really wont need it ready to go till mid Feb. I will just play catch with it everyday and break it in.
That's the way to do it and good luck on your job choice. 
Go to a batting cage and go into the fast cage... drop some tokens in and catch some balls... Also try Lexol leather conditioning wipes - they are great to use as well...
http://www.lexol.com/qwipes.html
http://www.lexol.com/qwipes.html
Definetely dont let anyone else break your glove in for you and I agree 100 percent with Mr. Kramer on all of his points.
The last two catchers mitts my son broke in were a 34" A2000 and a 32" Kelly Pro. Each took approx. 2,400+ pitches to break in to game ready condition. No oil,cream was used during break in until about 1500 pitches. HS and HS Select pitchers.
Kelly Elevation 33" took a bit longer at 2,900 pitches from 14U Travel/Select pitchers. No real speed demons on the mound.
(The 2900 number is really close as I helped coach the team and know when/who/how long he caught each pitcher.)
Never seen a good mitt that wasn't stiff when new.
Kelly Elevation 33" took a bit longer at 2,900 pitches from 14U Travel/Select pitchers. No real speed demons on the mound.
(The 2900 number is really close as I helped coach the team and know when/who/how long he caught each pitcher.)
Never seen a good mitt that wasn't stiff when new.
Put the mitt on. Grab a baseball with the other hand. Throw the baseball into the mitt with a high degree of velocity. Repeat several hundred times every day. Of course this is in addition to playing as much catch as you can with it.
Great for after your workouts and you're ready to relax and watch a game or baseball movie. Just sit there and throw the ball into the mitt repeatedly. Also, great exercise for transferring ball from mitt to hand.
You want the mitt broken in to the feel/shape of your hand. Like already stated...never let anyone else break in your glove and if you use any oil, use it very very sparingly.
Also, write you name and phone number somewhere on the mitt because once it's broke in, you'll treasure it immensely and wont want to lose it.
Great for after your workouts and you're ready to relax and watch a game or baseball movie. Just sit there and throw the ball into the mitt repeatedly. Also, great exercise for transferring ball from mitt to hand.
You want the mitt broken in to the feel/shape of your hand. Like already stated...never let anyone else break in your glove and if you use any oil, use it very very sparingly.
Also, write you name and phone number somewhere on the mitt because once it's broke in, you'll treasure it immensely and wont want to lose it.
quote:Originally posted by Bolts-Coach-PR:
Go to a batting cage and go into the fast cage... drop some tokens in and catch some balls... Also try Lexol leather conditioning wipes - they are great to use as well...
http://www.lexol.com/qwipes.html
Ding, ding! We have a winner here. That's how I would do it.
Anything other than a catcher's glove, I oil it, tie up a ball in it for a week, then play allot of catch.