BREAKING IN A NEW GLOVE

Okay, the first thing I am going to say is that I am OLD SCHOOL and haven't done this is quite a while, so here's my question:

I just purchase my oldest son a New Rawlings Soft Ball glove for Christmas. Its a model #PP130R Player Preferred (All Leather Shell).

I need to break it in and was wondering what the best way to do it now with the leather being what it is today. In my day, we just dropped it in a bucket of water for an hour, let it dry and put and little bit of oil back into it.

I have heard that the best thing to use today is shaving cream. Looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts.

 

My kid's Fr year we followed the steps below and he played outfield the day after the glove was purchased. I am a believer of the vasoline & dryer , it works !

To get started, you'll need a jar of vasoline, a pillow slip, a shoe string, and old baseball, and your new glove. First, dip two to three fingers in the jar of vasoline and get a good amount on your fingers. Use your fingers to apply the vasoline to the entire glove surface, front and back, with just a little extra amount applied to the glove area where it flexes/bends. The amount applied to the glove should be just a little more than just a light film covering. After applying the vasoline, place the old baseball in the glove pocket to help form the glove and secure it in place wrapping/tying a shoe strong around the glove.
Now, place the glove inside the old pillow slip and tie a knot towards the top of the pillow slip opening to keep the glove from coming out. Put the pillow slip/glove into the clothes dryer, place on moderate heat setting for approx 20 mins (enough time to allow the vasoline to soak into the leather). Remove the glove from the dryer and pillow slip, rub in any undesolved vasoline, and you're ready to play with your new broken in glove!

 

You said softball - and previous response was about outfield - so this may be irrelevant, but...
If it's for an infielder, you might consider not "rounding" the glove with balls tied-up inside. For an infielder, it's really better to "break" the glove in more of a "fold" where the first (pointer) finger meets the web area. The glove will actually have a flat/pancake look, but it actually gives more open fielding surface to receive a ground ball.

For this I would recommend oiling or "vaselining" (though some gloves today warn against it) and then "folding" the glove at that innner side of the web break and just sit on it [Potsey! Ha! Happy Days reference] while watching the tube.

Whatever you do, do NOT put an oiled or vaselined glove in Momma's stove. The taste of the next casserole can become questionable - not to mention the smell when the residue is heated up each time!

 

This is another good thread on the topic.


http://www.thisboardrocks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142194&highlight=Breaking+glove