You have just purchased that new glove you’ve had your eye

on for weeks. Now it’s time to break it in. You know the drill,

rub some glove oil, put a ball in the pocket, stick it under your

couch cushions, beat it with your fist a few hundred times, etc.

It takes forever to get a glove properly broken in, right!

Not necessarily!

Warning: The following method is not advised for “suede-type” leather, vinyl or other

non-standard gloves. This method is ideal for traditional “hard” leather or steerhide

gloves that are very stiff.

First of all, you will need a five gallon bucket. Empty an entire can of FOAM-STYLE

SHAVING CREAM into the bucket. DO NOT USE shaving gel or similar products!

Take your new glove, put an old baseball or softball in the pocket, and tie it closed.

Make sure that you are happy with the pocket.

Next, place the glove into the bucket and empty a second entire can of FOAM-STYLE

SHAVING CREAM on top of the mitt. Allow everything to sit undisturbed overnight.

The shaving cream will have melted, and your glove will now be a soaking mess.

Place your glove somewhere where it can dry at room temperature. This will take at

least another day, maybe two. However, once the glove is dry, you will discover that

the leather is now soft and supple, and perfectly broken in.

Quite a few professional players swear by this unorthodox

method of breaking in a glove.

As you can see from the above suggestion, there are several ways to break in a new

glove, most are effective to varying degrees. From working the new leather with your

hands to using shaving cream or glove oil, everyone has an opinion on what’s the best

way.

Another method is using vasoline. It’s quick and easy and in just about 20 minutes

your new stiff glove will transform into a flexible molded one ready for play.

To get started, you will need a jar of vasoline, a pillow slip, a shoe string, and an old

baseball or softball—AND YOUR NEW GLOVE.

First, dip two or three fingers in the jar of vasoline and get a good amount on your

fingers. Use your fingers to apply the vasoline to the entire glove surface, front and

back, with just a little extra amount applied to the glove area where it flexes/bends.

The amount applied to the glove should be just a little more than just a light film

covering.

After applying the vasoline, place the old baseball/softball in the glove pocket to help

form the glove and secure it in place wrapping or tying a shoe string around the glove.

Now, place the glove inside the old pillow slip and tie a knot towards the top of the

pillow slip opening to keep the glove from coming out. Put the pillow slip/glove into

the clothes dryer on a moderate heat setting for approximately 20 minutes (enough

time to allow the vasoline to soak into the leather).

Remove the glove from the dryer and pillow slip, rub in any undesolved vasoline, and

you’re ready to play with your new broken in glove!

There are numerous ways to break in a new glove. The above two suggestions are just

other ways in which to accomplish the task. With the Holidays coming up, we just

wanted to make sure our participants are prepared to break

in their new gloves!