Not sure how many people can read this as the NY Times has a paywall, but a fun story on all the ways major leaguers break in their gloves. My son used the wrap his glove with rubber bands around a ball for days on end — and he slept with it as part of the break in process. What's your favorite?
Replies sorted oldest to newest
outline.com/
typed into the beginning of the url string should allow you to bypass paywalls on most sites. if that doesnt work, use bitly to shorten the url then do the above step.
I made a mallet with a baseball and handle and used it along with oil and rubber bands to break in a few gloves for son....that was a long time ago though
I always wrapped my glove with rubber bands, string, rope (whatever was available) with a ball in the pocket for days on end.
With one of my son's gloves I remember treating with oil and baking in the oven (200 F) for an hour or so to help soften it and break it in. It's been some time since I did that.
Original Barbasol shaving cream works very well and it’s really cheap.
This is the Wilson glove guy, Shigeaki Aso, explaining his method.
Find the best fielder you can find and the hardest thrower you can find and let it ride. Best way.
You can steam it a Dick's Sporting Goods to get it going. Ball and rubber bands under the mattress for a long time works, I have had friends drive over it with their car but wouldn't recommend. We get the mallet and conditioner and my son drives me nuts pounding on it for hours. Leaving it in a hot car helps soften the leather. But playing with it is the best way we have found.
