Now the baseball season starts, make sure you select all the gear and are ready to play If you lost your glove last season or for another purpose and you want to buy a brand new baseball glove my best suggestion is a high-quality baseball glove like Wilson and Rawling. But the problem is that new gloves are tough and stiff, for that reason, you can’t perform well in the field.
So you break in a glove for the next game but the method for breaking in a new baseball glove can be a time-consuming process, but it’s a crucial step to ensure optimal performance on the field.
While traditional methods like playing catch and using glove oils are effective, a lesser-known technique can significantly speed up the process: using your oven.
In this article, learn how to break in a baseball glove in the oven. I know this is a risky method but if you follow the below steps and all things are done perfectly this method is very useful for breaking in your new baseball glove so let’s start:
Can Use Oven Be The Best Option To Break The Baseball or Softball Gloves?
Yes, you use the oven to break the baseball glove but it couldn’t be a good option to break the glove. In this, your kitchen oven can be used to cook the food not to break the gloves and other things. Almost in our daily life, we use the oven to cook the food and heat the food, and that way many people use the oven to break the glove.
New leather baseball gloves are tough and stiff and not ready for to game. A traditional way to catch the playing and use a glove conditioner or oil but this process is time-consuming so people put it in the oven to heat the leather glove to soften and flexible and be ready to play.
Notice Title
Important Note: Proceed with caution and follow these instructions carefully. Incorrect oven settings or leaving the glove unattended can result in damage to the glove or even start a fire.
This method is not recommended and not a good option but if you want to break in your baseball glove quickly follow these below steps:
How To Break in a New Baseball Glove In The Oven
If you buy a new baseball glove they see the beautiful look but you want to play the next game. You want to break the glove to be ready for to game because you can perform best on the field.
There are many ways to break the leather baseball glove the traditional way, and glove oil or conditioner but this method is time-consuming Using the oven to break the gloves is a quick way but this is a very risky way. So this method is not recommended but if you do, follow these steps:
Material Needed:
- Baseball Glove: Ensure you have a genuine leather baseball glove that you want to break in.
- Baseball: This will help shape the pocket of the glove during the process.
- Towel: A damp towel is needed to help soften up the leather.
- Oven: You’ll need an oven to heat the glove. Do not use a microwave.
- Thermometer: An oven thermometer will help you monitor the oven’s temperature accurately.
- Timer: Use a kitchen timer or your phone’s timer app to keep track of time.
Step 1: Prepare The Glove
First, you need to prep the gloves and insert them into the oven to soften and be flexible, so when you insert the gloves in the oven they remove the moisture, you first moisten your gloves before inserting them into the oven.
Avoid boiling water also use warm water to prepare the glove. Don’t soak the glove entirely in the bowl if you want to moisten it. Once the glove is moisture, use the baseball glove foam, and shaving cream on the glove.
Step 2: Dampen the Towel&Wrap the Glove
Many people do not use towels in this method but if you want your leather glove quality not damaged you use a dampened towel in the procedure so that’s I used the towel in the method. Dampen a towel with water. Wring out any excess water, so the towel is damp but not dripping.
Wrap the glove with a dampened towel, ensuring that the towel covers the entire glove evenly. This will help moisturize the leather and prevent it from becoming too brittle in the oven.
Step 3: Pocket Shape
Place the baseball inside the glove’s pocket and close it with rubber bands. This will help shape the glove pocket and create a more natural catching position.
Step 4: Preheat The Oven:
After preparing the gloves and pocket shape you next to move your all focus on the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Use an oven thermometer to monitor the temperature accurately. Once the oven is heated to your desired temperature, turn off the oven.
Step 5: Insert The Glove:
Now, place a baseball or softball gloves on the cookie sheet inside the oven, and close the door. Leave the glove inside the oven for approximately 15 minutes. Keep in mind to check every minute and make sure the gloves to prevent overcooking the leather.
Step 6: Remove The Glove
If you do not check every minute inside the oven and up to 15 minutes inside the glove to highly chance of burning it, Yes in many cases the gloves catch fire so be aware when the glove is inside the oven. So after 15 minutes remove the glove inside the oven and check it properly. The glove should feel nice and soft.
When you take out the gloves in the oven, they feel hot, so you want to stretch and use a glove mallet as much as you can do it. Still, the glove feel is not soft you repeat this procedure and this time leave your glove in the oven for approximately 10 minutes.
Step 7: Oil And Conditioner The Leather
Now is the time to conditioner the leather, if your glove is completely broken and soft. After using the oven method, it’s essential to apply a high-quality leather conditioner or oil to keep the glove supple and maintain its longevity. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the conditioner. Once the oil proceeds are complete you should leave it out to dry overnight.
After glove conditioning and overnight drying then you could feel softened in your hand glove to be game-ready right now so I recommend you play the catch regularly to soften over time.
In this video, you see the quick way to break in a new glove:
Expert Tips( Break In A Baseball Glove Using Oven)
- Don’t use the microwave in this method.
- This method applies only to leather gloves. Do not use plastic or vinyl baseball gloves.
- Putting the gloves in the oven is risky, they can catch on fire if kept long inside the oven.
- So always keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
Why Is Important To Break The New Baseball Glove
Breaking in a baseball glove isn’t just a matter of comfort; it’s a crucial step in optimizing a player’s performance on the field. When gloves are manufactured, the leather used is often stiff and rigid, making it difficult to catch and control the ball effectively.
This initial stiffness can hinder a player’s ability to close the glove around the ball, potentially leading to missed catches and reduced confidence. Breaking in the glove helps soften the leather, creating a more natural and responsive pocket that molds to the player’s hand shape. This personalized fit enhances a player’s ability to field, catch, and throw the ball with precision, ultimately contributing to a higher level of play.
FAQs
What temperature do you bake a baseball glove?
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Use an oven thermometer to monitor the temperature accurately. Once the oven is heated to your desired temperature, turn off the oven.
How long do you put a baseball glove in the oven to break in?
Now, put the baseball gloves on the cookie sheet inside the oven, and close the door. Leave the glove inside the oven for approximately 15 minutes. Keep in mind to check every minute and make sure the gloves to prevent overcooking the leather.
How can I soften a baseball glove at home?
To soften a baseball glove at home, you can use glove-specific conditioners, oils, or creams. Apply a small amount, work it into the leather, and use a mallet or ball to shape it. Avoid excessive heat or baking, as it can damage the glove.
Conclusion
Breaking the baseball gloves is a time-consuming procedure but if you have a short time you can apply the oven to bake the gloves but is too risky and in some cases, it can catch fire carefully if you want to apply this method. Using the oven to speed up the process of breaking is not a good idea.
But in the end, if you want to break a baseball glove in the oven go for it, but I said again this is not a good idea. My duty was to prove to best way to break the gloves.
So I hope my article increases your information about how to break a baseball glove in the oven, so take care and goodbye!
