Best Way to Break in a Baseball Glove

A new glove is stiff, and a stiff glove drops balls. The good news is the best way to break one in is also the simplest: play catch. Here's the method Rawlings recommends, what to skip so you don't hurt the leather or void the warranty, and how break-in differs by position. Still shopping? See our best baseball gloves and catcher's mitts guides.

Rawlings says the best way to break in a glove is to use it. Play catch as often as you can. Every catch helps shape the pocket to your player's hand.

Another effective method is to wear the glove around the house. Casually punch the pocket with your fist, a baseball, or a wooden/baseball mallet. This helps to soften the glove and mold it to the shape of your hand.

Open and close the glove along its natural folds, the hinge at the heel and the spots where the fingers bend. Do this while watching TV and it adds up fast. Rawlings recommends working the leather by hand before you add any conditioner.

Between sessions, put a ball in the pocket, close the glove around it and hold it with rubber bands or a glove wrap, as Rawlings suggests. Outfielders can use a bigger ball or two balls for a deeper pocket. Infielders who want a shallow pocket for quick transfers can skip the ball and just band the glove closed.

As you wear the glove, shape the leather often. If you prefer the glove flared, massage the leather to your ideal position and maintain it whenever the leather begins to reset.

Use a conditioner made for gloves and go light. Rawlings' rule is to lubricate, don't saturate. Skip petroleum jelly, shaving cream and household oils, and don't use cleaning products to soften a glove. Our glove oil guide covers what works, and our cleaning guide covers what to do when it gets dirty.

Don't microwave, bake, boil or steam a glove, and don't leave it in a hot car. Heat dries the leather out and can leave it brittle. Rawlings' warranty doesn't cover gloves that were heated, over-oiled, treated with petroleum jelly or broken in with a non-Rawlings machine. A glove broken in overnight won't hold up like one broken in over a few weeks of catch.

Different positions may require different break-in methods. For example, outfielders need a deep pocket in their gloves. They can achieve this by using two fingers in the pinky slot and squeezing the glove from thumb to pinky. On the other hand, infielders require shallower pockets for faster transfers. They should store the glove flat to maintain a flat palm and pocket, and use all finger stalls and form a permanent crease at the break point.

How long does it take to break in a baseball glove? It depends on the leather and how often your player uses it. With regular catch, most gloves start to feel game ready after a few weeks.

Can I speed up breaking in a glove? Some shops steam gloves, but Rawlings won't cover a glove that's been heated. The safest way to speed it up is more catch, plus a ball banded in the pocket between sessions.

Should I use glove oil or conditioner? Yes, but sparingly. Too much makes the glove heavy and floppy, so see our glove conditioner picks.

How often should I condition a glove? Only when the leather starts to look dry. Rawlings recommends a light coat, not a soak.

Breaking in a baseball glove requires patience and consistency. The best approach is to gradually break in the glove by using it during practice and games. Remember, the goal is to shape the glove to your hand and playing style, ensuring maximum comfort and performance on the field.

How to Break in Your Glove (Video)