How to Break In a Catchers Mitt [2 options]

❗️ If you need me to Break-In your baseball glove click here👇
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Learning how to break in a catchers mitt can be a real pain in the butt. Mainly because catchers gloves are very very stiff. Hopefully this video helps you out! My best advice is to go ham on the palm!
Wilson A2000 M1D:
www.justballgloves.com/produc...
All Star Pro Elite (Bat Bros Approved):
www.justballgloves.com/produc...
Check out our website and support the channel!
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Big thanks to Will with the Baseball Bat Bros
/ @baseballbatbros

[@ajvecellio2978]

Awesome video, the box vs flat discussion was super helpful, I really appreciate when you give those breakdowns cause sometimes I don’t always know what everyone means when they say “form the glove”

[@ballgloveking]

You gotta start from the basics! Thanks for watching man

[@anthonyrocco4879]

Loved this video! Brought me back to when I was a catcher! I had a Mike Piazza glove back in the day

[@ballgloveking]

Thank you for watching good sir

[@yayagazab4449]

Truly enjoyed this video on catcher’s gloves. So many nuances to this glove. Very cool & well done. I love da baseball leather!

[@treygulley]

From someone who works at DSG, when you order it online the order gets sent from a store, so they could be taking your glove off the wall and packing it. Depending if they have that certain glove in back stock.

[@georgejung5429]

That happens in the 1% range.

[@lancekennedy7568]

I just got a Wilson a950 catchers mitt and I've never broken in a glove before so this video was very useful

[@vandyfan27]

THE COLLAB WE'VE ALL DREAMED OF

[@ballgloveking]

Lol doin it for the people!

[@lancewallace]

​@Ball Glove King hey I just got a 33inch rawlings mitt and I was curious if I should break in 2 or 1 in the pinky. I play varsity baseball and high level travel ball so break in is important

[@rhi6943]

@@lancewallace 2 in the pink

[@arenadoprod9353]

@@lancewallace2 in the ring finger. I know it sounds weird, but it actually is in my opinion the best way. You would do it by shifting your fingers down like 2 in the pinky, but leave only your pink in the loop and your ring and middle out. This give the pros of two in there pinky, but it’s more stable, which would help with higher speed pitches.

[@OfficialTylerHerro]

@@arenadoprod9353catching made simple?? The GOAT 🐐

[@johnjames7161]

You're very close which I'm impressed. I own Glove Breaker and I break in gloves for players all over the world from kids to pros doing 10-12thousand a year. People once thought they had to be the only ones that could do their own gloves until my business began growing and they were proved wrong. I can do in minutes what takes normal people hours, days, and weeks. I built several machines I have inside my store where you have a hand mallet. What you call v shape I call double hinge but the most important part on any glove to keep the form is the heel. You can work the heel hinges but 9:49 never roll the heel. If you break down the heel padding the form of the glove will change to single hinge what you call v shape. Avoid beating down any of the palm padding until after the hinges are ready to move to the pocket. Once you compress that internal padding you can never come back with it.

[@ryan92725]

I've Just been Scrolling through yt looking at gloves I might buy over the summer. Then I saw a familiar face in the recommended bar. Glad to see the channel is alive and well!!

[@ballgloveking]

What up Ryan!! Hope you’re doing well bro!

[@CoreyL984]

Thanks man. I’m a coach and my son wants to try catching got him a cheap glove and need to break it in this really helps. By the way liked this video when it came out. Keep it up

[@berniestewart1738]

Great stuff man! I prefer the flat over the box. I grabbed a teammates box mitt and couldn’t feel the ball. Like you said it’s all about preferences.

[@ballgloveking]

It’s all preference, you got it!

[@IYAOYAS2020]

Outstanding video, like how you collaborate with a guy that was an actual catcher, as it isn't really in your wheelhouse. (I watch his channel all the time, and was today years old when I learned he was a catcher.)

[@JCSML0602]

i’m currently breaking in a mitt, this was so much help

[@ballgloveking]

Good!

[@beaucollins9568]

First video of yours I’ve watched in a while since baseball is in season, can’t believe how much better the production has gotten 10 minutes well spent for sure

[@ballgloveking]

That means a lot bro! Much appreciated, thanks for watching!!

[@Bambini-vh2wg]

@@ballglovekinglate comment, but do you have any tips for 44 pro catchers gloves? Or should I just do a normal box break in like said in the video?

[@SanFranFan30]

DAMN Will's glove is a classic. I love the OG Pro Preferred.

[@ballgloveking]

Isn’t it sweet!

[@baileysmith4744]

ive jammed my thumb a lot catching. evoshield make a great thumbguard and it really helps. only issue i find with the thumb guard is it encourages a flat break-in if you didnt wear your glove in with it to begin with, as the thumb has no flexibility. i prefer the box shape, but because i didnt wear in my glove with the thumb guard, the shape was off. i highly recommend committing to the thumb guard before you break in your glove to get that box shape and its suited for the guard

[@ballgloveking]

Good info!

[@baileysmith4744]

@@ballgloveking. i've been doing some research on more Wilson catchers mitts and found they have an M2 which is similar to what you have in the video but it has extra leather that continues from the wrist to the thumb and acts as a thumb guard. might be the next best thing if you want a box break in but also to protect the thumb

[@baileysmith4744]

@@ballgloveking. just got a new catchers mitt, the YM4 from Rawlings, and have found that the glove can have a box break-in with the thumb guard but you need to do it with the thumb guard most of the way, because the thumb guard changes how you thumb is placed in the glove and how it moves. by setting those break points in with the thumb guard on it makes a big difference in my opinion

[@BoomerSooner1]

This is his best video bc it helps me soooo much

[@ajaloisio]

Just came across your video. My son is a catcher that works out at that facility with Loco. He always boxes his mitt. The A2000 is an easy break-in. We start with tightening the laces inside the palm along the top edge to deepen the pocket and loosening some of the laces on the web. Before break-in, I put one of those microwaveable heating pad bags inside the mitt for 10 mins to soften it a bit. Then we move to the mallet work. All-Star Mitts are a whole different story. They take way longer to break-in.

[@ballgloveking]

Loco is great!! Thanks for sharing!

[@Helmet88]

I have an all star mitt and I already broke it in

[@lukesteele1832]

Great video, the only thing I have against a box shape is how deep the pocket is. As a catcher you want to have a quick transfer when trying to throw runners out. But it's mostly preference. I've done both but I prefer the flat shape .

[@ballgloveking]

You’re definitely right, it all comes down to preference My big thing is just trying to teach the younger guys that they should care how they break it in cause most don’t actually care

[@Idejxhcjcjvvkchgvuv]

I think I will get a new one on Christmas so this will be helpful I got it

[@Falconsriseup]

What he doesn't tell you is that 90% of those gloves you see on the wall we have multiple of them in the back stock room to give you a brand new one. I run probably the number 1 baseball department in dicks sporting goods in the Kennesaw area of Georgia. Lord knows East Cobb is a mecca of youth baseball and PG tournaments lol. We actually prefer to give you one out of the back everytime before giving you one from the wall for his exact reason. The wall is a last resort to give to anyone just incase we have no other choice. We will even offer to order you one online before giving you the glove wall one if you prefer that and don't need it right away. Now with that said this was a very informative video and i appreciate what he is teaching here. I was a catcher for a good while and he did a great job on teaching things on how to help out. Also great touch bringing in Will from the Bat Bros can never go wrong with that. Im a huge fan of the All Star gloves as well and am extremely happy we started selling all star gloves at our stores. Keep up the great work you and the bros are awesome at what you do.

[@ballgloveking]

Really appreciate the kind words man! I did ask while I was there but sadly it was the last one! But I’m glad to hear the wall is the last resort, that makes a lot of sense. Thank you again for the details!!

[@Falconsriseup]

@@ballgloveking No problem fam you gave us some extra publicity and we appreciate it. I always send people to you and the bros videos when i want to teach them about items to help them decide on what to get if they need more than just me to help decide.

[@ballgloveking]

Thanks for giving us a little more traffic!

[@nathanray6984]

thank you for this video. i just bought an all star pro elite and i want to break it in box because my last mitt i broke in flat and didn’t like it

[@etiennethomas1852]

One thing I would recommend with the box break-in is to maintain the tightness of the laces along the "ridges" of the glove. It helps with shaping and maintaining the quality of your glove.

[@ballgloveking]

True true

[@garretthughes1882]

100% my pre pitch includes tightening the laces to keep it strong

[@OMGITzStEpHeNs]

Never even thought about how hard it would be to break in a catchers glove! You helped me out so much, I really appreciate the help! I like the video as always!

[@ballgloveking]

Thanks jer!

[@Jimmy-nd1qu]

Cool to see will in your videos!

[@ballgloveking]

I agree!

[@carlstuhler637]

Dude your videos got so much better since you moved but it’s not like they weren’t bevor 🔥

[@ballgloveking]

I really appreciate that bro!

[@bquinn6676]

best baseball channel

[@ballgloveking]

I love to hear it!

[@ozzy6999]

Bro thanks I just got a new glove today and I need to break it in so this helped a lot

[@ballgloveking]

Glad to help!

[@PoohOnYourShoe]

So I’m 34, an ex-catcher back when I was a little kid, but I now have twins who are 8. I bought a catchers mitt and I thought the mitt sucked because the ball kept popping out. I forgot i really gotta break it in. My pops did it for me when I was a kid so it never dawned on me that it’s going to take a long time just having a catch.

[@garretthughes1882]

I still catch in mens league and do box with an all star (all star I feel makes the best catchers mitt) and the finger sleeve I cut off because I feel as thought it subconsciously makes me move my finger to behind the pocket and with mine I have a big pocket but I feel as though it makes it easier to catch the ball and have more control on framing and throw downs

[@Tatestarling1505]

Ur form is actually rlly good

[@joedutch248]

Thanks for the video!! Super helpful

[@ballgloveking]

Yessirr

[@drizzle452]

Weird. I caught h.s. with a Wilson 2500 in the 90’s, size 34! It was a little too big for me, but I had no money and some rich kid just gave it to me bc he hated it. Admittedly, the transfer could be a little slow, but I could catch/block everything and I never got “thumbed” because the pocket was so big. I have it to this day to catch for my sons

[@ballgloveking]

That’s awesome that you still have it

[@charity3924]

I literally just ordered this same glove last night to catch my 13 year old son. Catching with my 11.5" pro 200 HOH or custom 44 pro aint cutting it anymore... Need that protection. Looking forward to watching this video now that I have the same glove coming tomorrow... Stay Blessed!

[@ballgloveking]

Let’s go that’s awesome!

[@barrondowse8843]

how long was the break in

[@charity3924]

@@barrondowse8843 mine was like 3 days

[@barrondowse8843]

@@charity3924 how do u like it?

[@charity3924]

@@barrondowse8843 I don't use it other than catching my son during home practices when he's not either in a team practice or a 1 on 1. I'm not a catcher but I will say it was easy to break in. First session catching it sucks but I found it easy after that. I'm a middle infielder. But catching mid 70s for an hour from my kid gets old with an infield glove thus why I bought it

[@Jamessalvati]

That all star glove is just a thing of beauty but when you get ‘‘em out the box they are pretty dry so Chris if you get one I would really recommend conditioning it as you are breaking it in. Also if you can loosen the 2 laces on the thumb that go to the web for a bit of a faster break in cause the web is a bit less restrictive in the break in.

[@ballgloveking]

Good info, thank you!

[@Witness20]

I’m almost first can u doe a new 44 glove or maybe how javy Baez breaks in his clove

[@ballgloveking]

I will in a couple months

[@wyattroy9640]

You can ask if they have one the gloves on the wall in the back, the guy that was there for me was very understanding and went to the back to get the same glove.

[@ballgloveking]

Yes you can! I did that but the didn’t have any more which sucked

[@MrCantabrigian]

I Run All Star mitts and just play catch with them to break them in. Have never needed a mallet. Have boxed every one of them.

[@user-dw5qi9fh9o]

Hello it’s my first year playing baseball and I wanted to now what catcher glove should I go with.

[@haydenrobbins7825]

I have that glove and I absolutely love it

[@ballgloveking]

Me too

[@Frickindingers]

Hey I love your stuff good you post a video about how to stop a glove from pancaking?

[@garrettbrown7900]

What are your thoughts about the Wilson A2000 PF 33 catchers mitt

[@remywyaa2326]

box shape is really good and i like it but i think that the flat break in allows for a bigger pocket and allows more room for error so you dont get rung up much. Also with the box break in you really have to be precise and get the spot before the ball but with the flat it allows you to even if you get there slightly late it doesnt hurt as much

[@baileysmith4744]

i disagree personally. whilst the box break-in protects the fingers, the flat break in is worse for the thumb injuries. also there is more room for error in the box break in because it has a larger possible pocket, which you can see in the video

[@yuqqiez4473]

How do I get my glove to close thumb to pinky. It keeps closing flat and it’s getting me really frustrated

[@Kara-ii8bs]

Can I use this for a softball one to I can’t find a video of how to do a softball mitt

[@Dav4d1507]

How do I get bubbles out of the pocket of my Wilson A2k?

[@aschmidty11]

Maybe do a used glove and trying to “fix” a break-in next! Great video!

[@ballgloveking]

I’ll have to make that happen soon!

[@whatisthis9921]

I need help with my gloves when i curl my fingers the side of my glove side pops out causing the curled ridge to go back to straight

[@unstoppablesports8919]

Yo what up bro I like your vids baseball gloves are cool

[@ballgloveking]

Thanks my guy!

[@marcellovandalen9110]

I love your form

[@ballgloveking]

Thank you sir!

[@marcellovandalen9110]

I love your videos

[@tybdinero1774]

Will is such a cool guy met him once when he played slow pitch with my brother weird how my KZbin videos collide

[@ballgloveking]

He really is a great guy!!

[@adamgraves152]

Hey I have a question. Do you think a massage gun would be fine to use instead of a mallet, 5 pd dumbbell or baseball?(just to make it so I can squeeze it so just a little below the web)

[@barrondowse8843]

dumbbell def

[@nekofuzz.]

LOL RIGHT AS YOU BURPED I DID TOO 😂

[@colefortin2906]

Any tips to avoid bubbles in the palm?

[@samanthamartinek2967]

pretty good form

[@rhonecherrington2131]

I caught my whole life including through HS and college, well I take that back I played right field my sophomore year in HS when I began starting varsity, so my sophomore year I played Right Field, but I was moved to varsity catcher the following year and caught my senior year as well as in college. I've never seen any other catcher do a flat break in and quite frankly I don't think youll find a single major leaguer who breaks it in that way, I mean I've not seen that.. so that's different, I think as you were saying, do a box break in... Also, while All Star pro Elite is the most popular mitt in major league baseball and is a great glove, imo you bought the best catchers mitt money can buy. Its funny cause I don't like A2000 fielder gloves, and I absolutely love Rawlings HOH fielding gloves, when it comes to catchers mitt the A2000 is the best one, looks the coolest too... I like the all Star pro elite, I actually hate the Rawlings catchers mitt, but to me the A2000 is the best mitt. It has the deepest pocket and the nicest feeling leather of all of them, my second favorite is actually the under Armour Genuine Pro, then probably the All Star, which is a great mitt.. but the A2000 you bought is the best mitt....

[@agentchoclatecake569]

i bought the all star catchers mitt for like 120 and it broke within 5 catches of 40 so now we exchanged it with a wilson A950

[@cryptosoda2746]

Can anyone hear me I can’t close the glove so should I keep hitting it in the palm or should I try to hit it in other place

[@Baseballkinggg]

What can u use instead of a mallet

[@aidenramos9717]

I just want to ask what size glove you’re using using in your video??

[@RougeSprout]

1:42 Haha I’m a softball girlie needing this rn

[@speedendurance]

i wish this video (and YT) were around 40 years ago.

[@beaner4929]

2:12 How long did it take you to be able to close it like that?

[@maxmax9377]

Can you get a 44 pro catchers glove

[@Fire_vr11]

@ballgloveking can you send me some infielders gloves cause i need to get a new glove and so I can review them

[@cryptosoda2746]

I know I’m a year late but to make it close should I only hit it in the palm or hit it other places

[@aka.antwan]

Literally everywhere

[@Jaxonstek]

I see the wife glove in the background. No joke dude. That thing is 🔥 Do you have plans of reviewing it?

[@ballgloveking]

Yes, once softball season starts I will!!!

[@Jaxonstek]

@@ballgloveking when does it start!?!!?

[@josephparisi6723]

I’m a big glove guy too… but how about some bat love? Could you go into what bats your team is swinging? I’m about to play some ASA Softball and swing a bat for the first time since high school. Need to learn how to go yard again.

[@ballgloveking]

You gotta go check out the Slow Pitch Bat Bros on KZbin!

[@manuelcruz7080]

Love your video! My son will be getting a new catchers glove for his birthday. I will use the method you showed. I got his the same Wilson A2000 catchers glove. How do you like it? What is your opinion on it?

[@ballgloveking]

Glad the video was helpful! I’m liking the a2000 for sure, it has a smaller pocket compared to some Rawlings catchers mitts. That’s not good or bad though it all just comes down to preference

[@oscarh3777]

I got a new mitt a week ago and broke it in with no tutorial i am sad I did t have this

[@ballgloveking]

I’m sure you did ok, you can probably use some of these tips still to help

[@Hexksz]

i have a one and when i close it the part of the 4 fingers dents in and the ball doesnt manage to enter

[@madman-fw8xp]

Great video , helped me out a lot, but how long does it take you to break in your glove?

[@ballgloveking]

Every glove is different! If you work hard on it you could get it done in a week or teo

[@monkeyahh775]

I have small hands so I can’t close the glove evenly is that fine?

[@Simon_B44]

I just got my catchers glove from 44 and this I how I'm gonna break it in

[@Landon6999]

Thanks getting a catchers glove

[@ballgloveking]

Nice!

[@TylerM890]

I have an akadema glove but it’s different than any others the glove I heard that the top of the web and the seams are curved and I’m pretty sure that’s not supposed to be like that

[@lawrencesullivan8547]

Hi nice vid

[@balisong_boy4962]

My thumb and my big toe turned purple from bruising after playing catcher all season

[@brentonnewcomb5623]

i got that exact same catchers glove and same size too in december of 21

[@ballgloveking]

Nice, I’m liking it so far

[@brentonnewcomb5623]

@@ballgloveking so comfortable too

[@MH-Tesla]

8:36 most important statement ever said About catchers.

[@Simon_B44]

I'm getting a new catchers mitt and I'm gonna break it in exactly how he did it

[@ballgloveking]

Let’s gooo, I love it!

[@aaronbell6917]

How long will this take

[@jakowiw_9113]

I broke mine in as box but when I squeeze me fingers make a big bubble. Is there anyway I can fix that it’s a pro preferred and I have had it for a year.

[@ballgloveking]

Sounds like you were squeezing too hard while the glove was not fully broken in A ton of mallet work can help but it’s pretty tough to fix

[@jakowiw_9113]

@@ballgloveking just hit where the bubble is then.

[@isaacstudios5080]

Where should I put my fingers in the catchers mitt??

[@yuqqiez4473]

Should I put any sort of oil or the glove hot stuff on my catcher glove while breaking it in

[@ballgloveking]

I lean toward no but if you do just a little glove conditioner can be helpful Avoid glove oil and hot glove isn’t good either

[@yuqqiez4473]

@@ballgloveking thank you very much.

[@chad6275]

Do a first base glove next, I broke mine In And it doesn’t feel right. Also, it is a much cheaper mitt. I think it is a bad player preferred Rawlings.

[@ballgloveking]

I’ll do that soon!

[@fredericallain70]

Whats the instrumental a the beggining of the video ? Nice video as always 💪

[@ballgloveking]

Not 100% sure but I get the music from epidemic sound

[@fredericallain70]

If u have the title tell me please 🙏 watchin u from Montreal Quebec, Canada. Keep it up 💪

[@navalsealsnipersports1199]

I think you missed the flat box hybrid kinda thing. I’ve heard it call the corner box because the toe bends in way more than the rim closer to the heel

[@ballgloveking]

I know what you mean, might save that for another video

[@voodo9762]

Will you do a first base mitt, I’m getting a new one soon.

[@ballgloveking]

I’ll try to make that happen soon!

[@voodo9762]

@@ballgloveking Thanks!

[@ninyangorevews6679]

would you ever do any Mizuno gloves? I might have missed one.

[@ballgloveking]

I’ll have those coming soon!!

[@drizzle452]

Premium Mizuno gloves are so underrated. I’ve never had one, but my brother (OF) and a guy on my team (ss) did, and I loved playing catch with them. They said that they’d never go back to spending big money on Wilson/Rawlings.

[@ballgloveking]

Yeah mizuno used to be more popular honestly They still make amazing gloves

[@KyleGraham19]

That pop time tho!!!! It would have been 😮😮😮!

[@owenkirchner7142]

What do you think is the best catchers glove for its price?

[@ballgloveking]

That’s tough, when you’re looking for a good price the main options come from smaller brands. 44 is always cheap and good but also extra stiff just so you’re aware But my next thought it the Buckler Phalanx which is $200 on Amazon, I have the infield model and it’s fantastic so I’d consider that if you want a softer high quality leather

[@jaimeesamson8245]

Do I need to use oil ????

[@braydenhudgins5521]

you need to check out rico custom gloves it’s just like 44 if not better and they are for a very good price

[@ballgloveking]

I'll try to get one at some point

[@andrewhanbridge8079]

Can u please do one on first base

[@ballgloveking]

I will try to soon!!!

[@balisong_boy4962]

There was this one game where the ball friggin bounced right of my cleat baseball players you know the pain

[@Pega_Ninx]

Getting thumbed hurts sooooo bad!🔥

[@ballgloveking]

Yes it does!

[@CatchingIQ]

Seeing a flat break in makes me cry every time! :( Having as big a pocket as you can is so much better for a catcher. Just my two cents, really enjoyed the video!

[@ballgloveking]

Thanks for watching!!!

[@CatchingwithBK]

5:13 the product Catchers Thumbs protects these thumb shots!

[@andrewerwin2368]

hey just got a new catchers mitt, trying to decide whether to break in 2 in the pink or 1. Any advice?

[@wahlertnfts9139]

Well is it a deep pocket or is it a little pocket

[@andrewerwin2368]

@wahlert NFT's it's a 33inch rawlings so medium

[@wahlertnfts9139]

Well probably 2 in the pinky

[@wahlertnfts9139]

Probably 2 the pinkie

[@andrewerwin2368]

@wahlert NFT's ok thanks. any reason specificly?

[@anthonymedranobautista8678]

What are the best ways to get a palm stain I really like the look

[@barrondowse8843]

oil

[@anthonymedranobautista8678]

@@barrondowse8843 I also heard it can be different for some gloves for example I have an easton and had it for 3 years and I got nothing

[@barrondowse8843]

@@anthonymedranobautista8678 and the color