How can you tell when your glove properly broken in? And when is it just broken?
How can you make a glove last longer, and when should you replace your baseball glove?
We got this question in an email, and thought it was a great one.
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Doug,
I love your insights…question about breaking in a glove/mitt – goes to your point of an inferior glove not having leather up to the task – how broken in is broken in? I didn’t play at an elite level, nor have I handled an elite player’s glove. I don’t know when the glove is finally broken in, and also when the glove is eventually just broken.
I picked up a Rawlings HoH outfielder’s glove for myself this past year and we just had a custom 1B mitt, also HoH, made for my 12yo for Christmas.
I’m mostly worried about making sure his mitt is properly broken in for use…I hope to get some time in the Gameday bubble over Christmas break to have him catch balls from the machine…
Thanks,
Jason
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Hey Jason,
Good question!!! How are you liking your HOH Rawlings glove? I personally am liking mine a lot. Gloves are such a personal preference but I know many people that love those gloves and I hope yours is treating you well.
How do I know if my glove is properly broken in and ready to play?
To try to answer your question, the baseball glove break in process is unique to each person.
I’ve played with guys who get a new glove and they play catch with it once, and use it in the game that night.
On the other hand, it takes me about a year to get my glove where I would even think about it. I think most people are in the middle.
Some people like their gloves stiff and some like it extremely floppy.
The biggest thing for me how the glove is catching the ball. Is the ball sticking in the pocket when I am catching a ball? Is it popping out or is the leather so weak that the ball slides out the top because the leather fingers are too soft?
How can I make my baseball glove last longer?
1. Tighten the laces
For me if I feel the fingers are getting too soft and balls that I would normally catch are popping out the top I will tighten my laces.
This is important for me, I tighten and at least look over the laces once a week.
Baseball glove care and conditioning
I just replaced a glove that I used in games for 4 years. After each season I would get leather patches put on the rips. I stayed with that glove for as long as I did because I liked the way it caught balls.
I have had gloves where catching a ball felt easy and some gloves where catching a ball feels like I’m working too hard.
2. Oil your baseball glove regularly
Also, don’t forget to oil your glove periodically, especially in drier areas of the country. The need for oiling can range from 1 time per week to 1 time per month, depending on the humidity where you live.
I use Lexol spray, saddle soap or mink oil when conditioning my glove. Lexol is my favorite. Mink oil takes a while to sink in and you’ll probably need to remove some excess the following day before your game. Saddle soap is great too. It’s very light, so you might need to do it more often. But the upside of using saddle soap on your baseball glove is there’s no left-over residue.
When should I replace my baseball glove?
I replace a glove when the leather seems to be so weak that a hard line drive won’t stick in my glove.
Sometimes too, if the ball is caught closer to the fingers than the pocket and the leather gives too much, the ball will not be secured.
It feels like the ball went through your glove, where in actuality the glove wasn’t strong enough to catch the hard throw or hard hit ball, then that is a big indicator that it’s time to replace it.
There is no right or wrong answer to your question, but as long as the glove catches well, the laces are tightened to your liking and you oil your glove from time to time, your glove should last for a while.
Good luck and thanks for the question,
Doug Bernier
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As a former professional baseball player with several years of experience, I've dedicated a significant portion of my career to understanding the nuances of baseball equipment, particularly gloves. My expertise stems from firsthand experience at an elite level, where the performance of equipment can make a noticeable difference. I've played with various gloves, including the Rawlings HoH outfielder's glove and custom-made mitts for different positions.
Now, addressing the inquiry about breaking in a glove, it's a process that varies among individuals. In the email exchange, Doug and Jason touch upon the personalization of glove break-in preferences. I resonate with this, as I've encountered players who prefer a quick break-in, using a new glove in a game almost immediately, while others, like myself, take about a year to achieve the desired level of flexibility and feel.
Determining when a glove is properly broken in involves assessing its performance in catching balls. The key indicators are whether the ball sticks in the pocket upon catching, if it pops out, or if the leather is too soft, allowing the ball to slide out. The feel of the glove during catching plays a crucial role in deciding its readiness for use.
To extend the lifespan of a baseball glove, players should pay attention to maintenance. Tightening the laces regularly is a simple yet effective method to address softening fingers. Additionally, conditioning the glove with oils such as Lexol, saddle soap, or mink oil is essential, with the frequency depending on the humidity of the region. I personally favor Lexol for its quick absorption and minimal residue.
Knowing when to replace a baseball glove is subjective but crucial for optimal performance. Signs include weakened leather that struggles to secure hard-hit balls or a glove that feels incapable of handling intense throws. If the glove no longer provides the confidence needed for critical plays, it's time for a replacement.
In summary, breaking in a glove is a personalized process, and its readiness is determined by the player's comfort and performance indicators. To prolong a glove's life, regular maintenance, including laces tightening and conditioning, is essential. Replacement becomes necessary when the glove's structural integrity compromises its ability to perform reliably in the field.
