Maintaining a New Catchers Mitt

Sounds like the glove will get enough reps to break in fairly quick. All of this will be in my opinion. Don't do anything to accellerate the breaking in period. Games, bullpens, catching off a machine will break it in properly with your hand in it. Stay away from petroleum based oils or creams. I love using Lexol on mine. You can buy it at auto part stores, hardware stores, etc. It's a leather conditioner, very lite. Won't build up or add weight to the leather. Apply as needed, when it dries out or weekly after a good cleaning. As far as the shaping, again don't do anything to manipulate the shape, other than the shape you like with your hand in it. I like to spread the glove out/open it up when not using it. Consider buying your next mitt before you need it, start using it for practice or bullpens and have it game ready by the time it has to  be used. Good luck and wear your cup, even to bed.

Keep it clean.  Dirt is like sandpaper to the glove.

At the PG tourney in Ft. Myers there was a company called "Webgem" that has a product that is basically a hard plastic form that you place in the glove and a neoprene bag that you keep it in when not using it.  Because my son has a habit of turning his gloves into pancakes, I bought one of the "webgems" to see if it will help keep his glove in proper shape.  Google it to see if it is something that you may be interested in.

Thanks for the feedback guys I really appreciate it.

I like Lexol Conditioner to aid in breaking in a glove, just apply a little bit to those areas that you want to flex.  As you use your glove during the season apply a little Lexol Conditioner to the whole glove, especially the laces (they get brittle and break when they dry out).  Dirt is the enemy of your catchers mitt, so wipe off the glove with a towel (damp is best) after each use.  Once the glove is dry, take a medium bristle brush and brush off any caked on dirt, pay special attention to the laces and webbing.  At the end of the season, or during the season if you end up playing in the mud, clean your glove with a damp sponge and let it dry thoroughly.  I like to use Lexol Cleaner for this (it's a different product).  When dry, apply a little Lexol Conditioner to the whole glove.  To maintain your pocket put a baseball in it and wrap your glove, the Mizuno neopream glove wrap works well for this.  Finally, check your laces and retension as needed (once or twice during the first season, yearly thereafter).  If your laces look worn have the glove relaced.

Ordered one last week. Should have it this week.

we are trying something new.  a friend works with leather and suggested it.  after each game, a long wipe to get the dirt off.  every other week of so, rub a little pure lanolin on the dry areas and/or flex points.  good so far.  it takes very little (half of a dime size dollop for whole glove).  it goes far.  Lanolin is in Lexol (previously mentioned).  You can find it at drug stores in the nursing section.  

My son has been using the Web Gem mold and bag for about a month now. I am a believer. Glove looks great. 

Also on the advice of their literature he stopped keeping it in his bag in the garage.