A baseball glove is one of the most important things in your baseball equipment. Choosing the right mitt for your playing style can make a big difference in performance. I know a single glove does not help your performance but the right glove can more confidence in the field.
If you are a player and parent and you purchase the new gloves for your kid sure you buy the high quality gloves for him. The best investment of your to buying new gloves can make the good in the field.
Every dedicated baseball player understands the importance of a well-break-in glove. A properly molded glove can make the difference between an outstanding catch and a missed opportunity on the field.
Properly breaking in a baseball glove can be done using traditional methods, but a popular approach involves using shaving cream. Let’s learn how to break in a baseball glove with shaving cream.
Why Do We Need To Break in a 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.
How To Break The Baseball Gloves With Shaving Cream Step-by-Step Guide
Breaking in a baseball glove using shaving cream is an unconventional yet effective method that can help speed up the process of softening the leather and customizing the fit. Follow these step-by-step instructions to achieve a well-broken-in glove:
Material Needed:
- New baseball glove
- Shaving cream (preferably non-gel and non-colored), Alcohol-free
- A soft cloth or sponge
- A ball (to help shape the pocket)/ Mallet
- The rope/ Rubber Bands
After collecting the material when you need to continue the process:
Step 1: Apply Shaving Cream
Shake the can of shaving cream and then apply a small amount onto a soft cloth or sponge. Gently rub the shaving cream onto the glove’s palm, fingers, and laces. Make sure to cover the areas that need to be softened.
Step 2: Massage and Shape
With the shaving cream applied, start massaging the glove’s leather. Focus on the areas that typically need the most flexibility, such as the palm, pocket, and finger stalls. Use your hands to gently flex and shape the glove, encouraging the leather to soften and mold.
Step 3: Let it Set
Allow the glove to sit for several hours or overnight, preferably in a cool and dry area. The shaving cream will continue to work on softening the leather during this time.
Step 4: Wipe Off Excess
After waiting all night wake up the next morning, take a clean cloth, and gently wipe off any excess shaving cream from the glove. The leather should not feel noticeably softer and more pliable.
Step 5: Create a Pocket
Place a ball or baseball glove mallet inside the glove’s pocket, and then close the glove around it by using the rope/rubber bands. This helps form a well-defined pocket that matches the shape of the ball, making it easier to catch and control. You want to your gloves in this position for at least 2 to 3 days.
Step 6: Break-In Play
After 2 to 3 days, take the glove out for some light catch or practice sessions to further mold it to your hand’s shape. As you use the glove, it will continue to break in and become more comfortable.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Shaving Cream to Break Baseball Gloves
Using shaving cream to break in your glove is a common method and many players apply this on their new gloves but before applying this method to something keep in mind:
Advantages:
- Shaving cream can help soften stiff leather in the glove, making it more pliable and comfortable to wear.
- Breaking in a glove with shaving cream is relatively quick compared to traditional methods like playing catch or using oil.
- Shaving cream can be evenly applied to the glove’s surface, ensuring consistent softening.
- Shaving cream can help shape the glove to the player’s hand more effectively, creating a personalized fit.
- Players can control the level of softening by adjusting the amount of shaving cream used and the duration of application.
Disadvantages:
- Using too much shaving cream or leaving it on for too long can cause the leather to become overly soft and lose its structure, affecting the glove’s performance and durability.
- Some shaving creams might leave behind a strong scent or residue on the glove, which could be bothersome to players.
- Certain chemicals in shaving cream could potentially damage the leather over time, affecting the glove’s longevity.
- Using shaving cream might not replicate the natural wear and molding that comes from playing catch, potentially affecting the glove’s performance in the long run.
- Shaving cream might soften the lacing in addition to the leather, which could affect the overall structure and stability of the glove.
This method is not recommended because the disadvantages are more than the advantages but if you want to break the gloves this method works. Many players use the shaving cream method so you follow the above step and break your new glove.
Select the Right Shaving Cream to Break Baseball Gloves Properly
Not all types of shaving cream are suitable for breaking in a baseball glove. When selecting a shaving cream for this purpose, it’s important to consider the ingredients and characteristics of the cream. Here are some guidelines to help you choose the right type of shaving cream:
Preferred Characteristics:
- Non-Aerosol: Choose a non-aerosol shaving cream. Aerosol sprays can contain propellants and chemicals that might not be ideal for leather.
- Moisturizing: Opt for a moisturizing shaving cream that contains natural oils like coconut oil, shea butter, or glycerin. These can be less harsh on the leather.
- Fragrance-Free: A fragrance-free or lightly scented shaving cream is preferable to avoid leaving a strong scent on the glove.
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Avoid shaving creams with strong detergents, alcohol, or abrasive ingredients that could potentially damage the leather.
Type of Shaving Cream to Consider:
- Natural or Organic Shaving Cream: These are often formulated with milder ingredients and natural oils, which can be better for leather.
- Sensitive Skin Shaving Cream: Shaving creams designed for sensitive skin tend to have fewer harsh chemicals and fragrances.
- Shaving Creams with Natural Oils: Look for shaving creams that contain ingredients like coconut oil, almond oil, or shea butter. These can provide conditioning benefits for the leather.
- Barbasol Shaving Cream: as a conditioner is good to consider breaking in your new high-quality baseball and softball gloves.
Types of Shaving Cream to Avoid:
- Aerosol Shaving Cream: These often contain propellants and chemicals that might not be leather-friendly.
- Shaving Gel: Gel-based shaving products might not be as effective for softening leather as creamy formulas.
- Shaving Creams with Strong Fragrances or Harsh Chemicals: These can leave unwanted residues and potentially damage the leather.
Remember that while using shaving cream can be a convenient method for breaking a baseball glove, there are always potential risks associated with applying any substance to leather.
It’s a good idea to do a small patch test on an inconspicuous area of the glove first to ensure that the shaving cream doesn’t cause any adverse effects. If you’re unsure, it might be safer to opt for products specifically designed for glove conditioning and softening leather.
FAQs
How long do you leave shaving cream on a baseball glove?
Allow the glove to sit for several hours or overnight, preferably in a cool and dry area. The shaving cream will continue to work on softening the leather during this time.
What is the fastest way to break in a baseball glove?
The fastest way to break in a baseball glove is by using a combination of methods: playing catch, using a glove conditioner, using shaving cream, and shaping the glove manually. This helps soften the leather, mold it to your hand, and accelerate the break-in process.
How do MLB players break in their gloves?
MLB players typically break in their gloves through all methods applying a combination of playing catch, using glove oils or conditioners, using shaving cream, using an oven, and shaping the glove to their hand’s contours. They often prefer traditional methods to ensure optimal performance and comfort.
Conclusion
There are many methods to break the baseball glove, including conditioner and oil, playing catch, shaving cream, using an oven, and more. But all work with technique, so if you want you learn how to break a baseball glove with shaving cream, read my step-by-step procedure above and break your new gloves for the next game. So take care and goodbye!
