Breaking in the Glove

• There is really no right or wrong way to break in a glove. If you ask a dozen people how they do it, you may get a dozen different answers. Different gloves are made from different leather, so if you want to be safe, contact the glove manufacturer and ask them what they recommend. Different types of leather might react differently to certain types of oils.
  
  When breaking in your baseball glove, first try to soften the leather so that you can form a pocket in the glove. By forming a good pocket, you will be able to field the baseball better.
  
  The most effective way to break in a glove is to just play catch with it over and over. If you don't have someone to regularly play catch with, you can try some alternatives to speed up the process.
  
  The most popular way is to place a baseball in the glove where you want the pocket to form. You then want to find something to tie the glove shut with the baseball in it. Most people use a string or even a belt to tie the glove shut.
  
  There are a variety of lotions and oils to soften the leather. Most people use the following:
  •Foam shaving cream
  •Vaseline
  •Saddle soap
  •Mink oil or neatsfoot Oil
  •Tanners Glove Oil
  
  Be careful how much oil or lotion you use. Apply small amounts and make sure you spread it throughout the glove. Don't let a large amount soak in, as that will make the leather deteriorate quicker.
  
  If you have nobody to play catch with and don't want to put oil or lotions on your glove for fear of ruining the leather, go to your local batting cage. Instead of using the cage for hitting, use it for breaking in your glove by catching the baseballs out of the machine. This method can really be effective because you will be able to catch a lot of baseballs in a short amount of time.
  
  There is one method that has proven to be controversial. This involves putting special foam on the glove and then baking it in an oven for four minutes. This method could cause serious damage to the glove if you are not careful.