How to Break In a Baseball or Softball Glove | Twin Seam Sports

🧤 How to Break In a New Baseball or Softball Glove the Right Way

There’s nothing like the excitement of a brand-new glove—fresh leather, perfect laces, and that unmistakable smell. But a stiff glove won’t help you turn double plays or snag line drives until it’s properly broken in. At Twin Seam Sports, we’ve worked with hundreds of high-end gloves, and we know the right (and wrong) ways to break them in.

🔑 Why Breaking In Matters

Breaking in isn’t about making your glove soft everywhere. It’s about shaping the pocket and creating flexibility where you need it—so the glove closes naturally around the ball and performs like an extension of your hand.

🛠 What You’ll Need

  • A baseball or softball (or a glove mallet)
  • Glove conditioner (made for baseball/softball gloves)
  • Rubber bands or glove wrap
  • Patience—this part’s essential!

âšľ Step-by-Step: Breaking In Your Glove

  1. Apply Conditioner (Lightly!)
    Use a thin layer of glove conditioner to keep leather supple. Skip oils or DIY hacks—they can damage the glove.
  2. Play Catch
    Nothing works better. Start short and gradually increase throws. Game use is the best break-in method.
  3. Shape the Pocket
    Place a ball in the glove, close it, and secure it with rubber bands or a glove wrap overnight.
  4. Work the Leather
    Use your hands (or mallet) to pound the pocket and flex the glove’s hinges. This builds the glove’s natural close.
  5. Repeat
    Over 1–2 weeks, repeat these steps. The glove will form to your hand and position perfectly.

🚫 What Not to Do

  • Don’t put your glove in the microwave or oven—heat weakens leather.
  • Don’t soak it in water—this ruins structure and fibers.
  • Don’t overuse oils—they make the glove heavy and floppy.

🏆 Make It Yours

Infielders, outfielders, pitchers, and catchers all prefer different pocket depths and hinge points. Break-in is personal, so take your time and let the glove mold to your playing style.

đź’ˇ Pro Services at Twin Seam Sports

If you’d rather have a pro-level break-in, Twin Seam Sports offers glove steaming, shaping, and full relacing. Drop off in Maryville/Knoxville or ship it in—we’ll return it game-ready.

👉 Shop Pro Gloves | Glove Services