How To Break in a Baseball Glove

[@joemomma5164]

Definitely gonna be coming back to this vid come late winter.

[@MrsSara09]

Me to for Christmas

[@Cinacon]

me rn

[@sebastianm9095]

@@Cinacon fr

[@BigRevenge]

What I'm doing

[@malacaicoughlin8332]

Fr

[@xxRock81xx]

I do hot water first, do my stretching next, I use a mallett to beat a deep pocket in, I shape my glove just like you, beat the same hinge points, I also like the heel stiff, and I beat the hinge points again once dry. The rest is played in. Great video man.

[@aaronurtez4805]

at the right time. just got my new glove. thanks chris. you a 🐐

[@ballgloveking]

Thanks bro 🙏

[@Jackson_431]

Thank you for making this video my 44 glove comes this week and I will be using your method to break it in. Thank You

[@ballgloveking]

Good timing!

[@snazzygoldfish9912]

0:27 gold glove athlete right there

[@ballgloveking]

Thanks for noticing

[@baileysmith4744]

44 has a video on breaking ball gloves with heavily died leather and its basically just a lot more of everything you did but without hot water treatment (its what i did and it does take a lot longer)

[@frozendivots1564]

For palms that are too thin and you can’t get rid of hand sting, here’s what I’ve been doing since 1989. Get a piece of Velcro, the furry side. Not the hard plastic side. Cut a piece where the sting is and stick it in there. It’s a soft pad that works, costs almost nothing and will last as long as the glove does. You won’t notice the weight or even that it’s there if it’s in the right spot.

[@ballgloveking]

That’s smart do you put it in the inside of the palm or like the outside where you catch the ball

[@frozendivots1564]

@@ballgloveking Inside the palm. The furry side touches a small part of your palm, wherever the sting is. It’s not annoying at all and it works wonders.

[@navalsealsnipersports1199]

They make pads with an adhesive to put under the index finger for catchers mitts. Same with thumbs and palms. Tons of great ways to save your hand

[@thunderbugcreative7778]

I don't usually do the water softening trick unless I need to use a glove within a few days. If I do, I dry the glove in a closed position with a ball in the pocket. Tie it closed or stuff it in between the dash/window of my car. Pull it out in 24 hrs and play an hour of catch, glove will feel delightful and genuinely game ready. (unless a catchers mit.... in this case another 10 years of catch should be good to go;)

[@ballgloveking]

Lol catchers are just hopeless

[@michaelstrane3254]

I was having trouble getting my son's gloves broken in enough that he could manage them (he's small with weak hands) so I got desperate and put them in the dryer with some wet clothes, and played catch immediately after taking them out of the dryer. Not sure I would do it on my own glove, but not sure I wouldn't, but it worked well on his (Rawlings R9 and Akadema AZR95).

[@MrBaseballlover6]

Hey man! Love your vids, I’m really struggling to get my 44 pro stiff first base mitt’s pocket soft enough. I’ve watched this and your other vid of the 44. I’ve got blonde leather and green laces so I’d rather not hit water it haha.

[@ballgloveking]

I’d say it’s smart to not hot water, something that is good is for you to use it when it’s hot and sweaty out. Like try to practice in it if you can. It can make a huge difference sometimes. But if you’re anywhere around me it’s getting chili outside so that’s hard. If that’s the case I’d say as much as it stinks you just gotta keep working and working on it with a mallet or just a ball if that’s all you have. In the end you can’t go wrong with playing a ton of catch!

[@MrBaseballlover6]

@@ballgloveking thanks Man!! I’ve been playing hella catch but I’ll keep at it. Got it to close great but I’m getting ejecto mitt lol.

[@isaacshults5421]

@@ballglovekingi have a question. i have a pitchers glove does it matter how i break my glove in??

[@normified]

@@isaacshults5421 All personal preference, though it *is technically an infield glove so probably not a great idea to have a super deep pocket

[@Thegoat27272]

My forty four is supposed to be in Friday!!!!

[@ballgloveking]

Let’s gooo

[@Thegoat27272]

Yessssir

[@Thegoat27272]

@@ballgloveking also do you have any advice on breaking in a forty four without the hot water treatment

[@kamden0628]

How long did it take

[@atl3630]

Didn’t like mine

[@OMGITzStEpHeNs]

I like the hat you’re wearing at the table. Great video as always, I’d let you break in my glove any time.

[@ballgloveking]

Nice!

[@timk80]

I just always broke in gloves using them. Always worked well for me.

[@elig9063]

Same but I will say with my son's glove I've just held it fully closed with both hands for 2 mins and have him play catch

[@brennenfetner]

I am getting a 44 and I'm very excited

[@williamgilbert295]

That is an awesome green white Sox hat. I want it.

[@ballgloveking]

I’ll consider it

[@taymann25]

I’m definitely going to try this on my sons baseball glove. He plays 6U ⚾️

[@BurntSkidaddle]

Good stuff. Keep up the 🔥 content.

[@ballgloveking]

Keep up the 🔥 comments

[@zaydensoutdoorsandstuff1031]

How do you put the dent where your Pinter finger is?

[@HaydenMcCready]

My moms an artist and when I get a new glove she makes a clay mold of my hand and puts it in the glove for the night, then the next day I do what u say and it’s ready for the season

[@adrielvazquez3659]

Can you do the hot water treatment with an all blue glove with black laces?

[@ballgloveking]

Yeah you should be fine

[@adrielvazquez3659]

@@ballgloveking thanks for replying also GREAT VIDEO!

[@brandonbattaglia08]

I like my glove as on crease on the pinkie can I still do the same stuff

[@a1mav]

Love the new username

[@ballgloveking]

Thanks bro!

[@ozzyvogel-moore9874]

Could you do a catchers break in

[@ballgloveking]

I want to do more catchers glove videos soon, I’ll do my best!!

[@KingTuck11]

He is so fluent like he has millions of subs

[@giovannylugo7954]

Wish you had made this when I got my glove last year! Might be a dumb question, but is it possible to re-break-in a glove? I play short and I feel like the glove isn't wide enough so I have to work more to open it to field a grounder than I do to close it. I definitely did not break it in right lol

[@rxsselas]

so i scrolled and saw he answered someone else with the same question so to help u out…. he says it doesn’t work with all gloves, but he’s done it before and it’s worth a shot. Do it

[@SanctuaryGardenLiving]

I took my son's floppy glove and used boiling water on it and then put it in the shape I wanted and put a warm(not hot) hair dryer blowing on it and it really reset the leather and was no longer floppy at all!

[@giovannylugo7954]

@@SanctuaryGardenLiving thank you for the info. Since I made my comment, I have purchased another glove and broke it in how I like. But I’ll still use this on my older glove cause you can never have too many gloves!

[@SanctuaryGardenLiving]

@@giovannylugo7954 I actually bought my son a new glove as well. But after I did this with the boiling water and drying the old glove now my son has gone back to using the old glove... Lol

[@rgr4475]

When did flaring the thumb and pinky become a thing? No one did that back in the day.

[@jasondunbar3667]

Is there any things that should be done differently when breaking in a softball glove? 10u softball

[@mdsmith1019]

I have a couple of young softball players and I've done the same thing (minus the hot water) and their gloves are fine so far. I think the real key is once it's loosened up, have THEM do the catching so the glove doesn't form to YOUR hand.

[@jwaight83]

best thing ive ever done to break in a glove is to steam it. Just used a large pot of water, a collander, and a large frying pan lid. This kept it out of the water and you're able to control temp pretty easily on your stove. After, I used Glovolium and while it was still steamed, I used a glove mallet in the pocket and on the seams and thumb. Took about 30 min.

[@superheavydeathmetal]

How tight should the wrist strap be around the wrist? Every lacing video I have seen shows the same way to tie it, and when I tie it that way the wrist strap is snug around the wrist which makes it harder to close the glove around the ball.

[@lukemorey528]

A good video idea would be trying the hot water treatment on different types of leather like timber glazed

[@masoncollins40]

Great video! Love the shape of it!

[@CharlesFlo305]

Just did this to my sons old tee ball glove. Worked amazing with the hot water. Wish I knew this when I used to play. My dad just put a bunch of glove oil and put it under the mattress, horrible

[@christopherberreth5076]

I really like your way of breaking in a glove but how much should I do it.

[@ballgloveking]

Until it feels ready!

[@baileysmith4744]

i tried making my own glove mallet but couldnt find a handle that wouldnt break for cheap, so i now have a wooden ball that i use instead of destroying my softballs

[@ballgloveking]

Lol that’s great

[@carsonwoodworth5953]

So I am getting a 44 pro catchers glove for baseball with royal blue lettering and royal blue stitching with a gray will it seep onto it or a navy blue asleep onto it 44 Pro

[@ballgloveking]

The stitching will never spread its color, typically the lacing is the only thing to worry about

[@carsonwoodworth5953]

@@ballgloveking ok can you add me on ig

[@carsonwoodworth5953]

@@ballgloveking What about navy blue and gray

[@carsonwoodworth5953]

@@ballgloveking Navy blue laces and gray

[@nickpiglet5058]

I’m always interested to see what mic holder Chris uses😂😂

[@joshbangert]

haha true best part of the vid actually

[@Jimmy-nd1qu]

Another great video, I was wondering though I’m in between getting a 44 pro T web or h web outfield glove. What do you think would be better? Thank you

[@ballgloveking]

I used to like the T web but now I’m a big H web guy, but in the end both will work great, if you want the specific style of one or the other it won’t make a big difference If you just want the best glove possible I’d go with the H web

[@navalsealsnipersports1199]

H web is the best all around low maintenance web, but if you’re SUPER picky with your gloves and don’t mind the maintenance, a 6 finger trap web is the best. I find Wilson makes the most sturdy trap web while having that typical trap web deep pocket.

[@brandonkubota7405]

Is steaming it ok if you don’t want to ruin your glove during the hot water treatment.

[@ballgloveking]

Steaming your glove is actually worse than hot water treatment, I hate steaming!!!

[@brandonkubota7405]

@@ballgloveking thank you for the reply I will make sure NOT to steam my glove thank you once again.

[@ksajak]

Came for the glove break in instructions stayed for the outro song 😂🤣

[@ballgloveking]

Lol that’s what I love to hear 😂

[@djd-vp4vu]

How do you keep the fur inside the glove clean?

[@unstoppablesports8919]

This is pretty much what I do. Thanks for going deeper in explanation though

[@ballgloveking]

No problem!

[@dabbo8164]

Any advice on a glove where the ball is always funneling out?

[@ballgloveking]

I’ve had that problem before it can be really hard to fix, do your best to get the glove super loose. The more broken in it is the better it’ll be for that problem. Good luck though bro!

[@navalsealsnipersports1199]

Tighten the laces at the top of the web and index finger. It can create more of a trap

[@groovygannon]

I have used corn and rice bags to shape break in gloves. You put the corn bag in the microwave for 2 min and just put it in the glove. I also like to use a little glove oil inside and out while I do this. This causes the glove oil to sink in and loosen up the glove.

[@MrSubmariner771]

Quick question. In the beginning of the video you say to go to town on the heel but towards the end you mention how you like to maintain the heel a bit more stiff than the rest of the glove. Can I go to town on the heel while maintaining it stiff? I really don’t want to hose up my break-in. Thanks!

[@ballgloveking]

You definitely can! It takes a lot of work to break in that heel so once it feels good to me I just make sure not to put any extra work or stress on the heel During the break in time you’ll have to work on it a lot!

[@wiiitch4780]

as a middle infeilder I am thinking about making a custom rawlings heart of the hide. Should I get it in standard stiffness or soft stiffness?

[@ballgloveking]

I think standard is fine

[@JanksBaseball2428]

Thank you so much for this video! My sister got a new softball mit over the off-season, and no matter what she did, it wouldn't break in. so, right B4 her first practice, she tasks me to break it in for her. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful, so my sister had to use her old mit. A week or two ago, my sister said that she'd pay me $50 if I could break in the mit by the end of April, so she could use it for the last month of games in May. After watching this video, I broke in the mit, and I am $50 more rich. Pro tip for those who have coloured laces, instead of using the hot water treatment, put 2-4 kilograms of weight on the mit and leave it overnight (6-8 hours). After that, the mit will close like my dad's high school first baseman mit. ( When you normally set it down, it flops close) I will say my experience with the 2-4kg on the mit: if you want every single part of the mit lose, use it. The reason I had to do this is because my sister got a blonde mit with orange laces. I didn't want to get the blonde, almost white mit stained with orange on the fingers. For anyone who's wondering, black and orange are my schools colours, thus the orange laces.

[@Mad_Dawg1230]

Just gonna say, Dick's breaking in aid can be great. First (and only glove) I bought there got a free break-in aid, and it has actually helped the first base glove I bought get broken in. After I got it done, I felt confident about playing catch with it and actually holding onto the ball.

[@cobster2543]

I have a question will the hot water treatment make my maroon laces seep into my white leather on my 44

[@navalsealsnipersports1199]

Most likely

[@jdubyaiv]

Hot water treatment for navy/Colombia blue glove with white laces? I’m afraid colors will run.

[@goatafiedatomic4956]

I just got a a2000 autism speaks dp15 so the wrist is partially white and the rest is blue with blue laces if I do the hot water way will the blue laces stain the blue superskin and white superskin? Thanks bro love the videos

[@wyattspencer331]

Can you do this after grout steamed and would a ruber mallet work as a glove mallet?

[@wyattspencer331]

I meant steamed

[@ballgloveking]

Yes and yes, I’ve seen plenty of people use a rubber mallet

[@wyattspencer331]

@@ballgloveking k thanks cause I just got a Rawlings from dicks

[@maxypb4570]

How to I make my top laces of my web stiff again. I have had problems with the ball staying in on grounders and mostly backhanders. Do I just replace the top?

[@am1nus]

So I have a Rawlings gg in camel with black laces, I didn’t see this video until after I tried the hot water treatment. Well the laces stained the glove, not horrible but still kinda noticeable for me. I still need to break it in should I go oil or conditioner since water is a no-no

[@nelsnelson4583]

I followed the method, and she broke in pretty great. But the finger holes seem very loose now, as my hand slides in and out too easily. Is there a way to tighten those back up? Hot water again without putting your hand in it possibly? Pour water in the fingers?

[@kristinaallred4440]

How to make the heel circle when you close it cause I'm scwezing to much on the heel so it's not being circular

[@charlieburger2124]

Can I still re shape my glove with the hot water treatment if it is already broken in?

[@ballgloveking]

I’ve done it before, it can work with some gloves but not all, it’s probably worth a shot

[@charlieburger2124]

@@ballgloveking ok yeah I just recently got this glove so it’s not like a pancake or anything but it’s not totally stiff still

[@calvinmyers1438]

Hey bro for some reason the video isnt loading. other videos are loading fine though?

[@ballgloveking]

That’s super weird I don’t think anyone else is having that problem

[@calvinmyers1438]

@@ballgloveking i went incognito mode and its working......so strange.....anyway thanks for the tips! i have a 44 that i got in 2019 right before covid hit. now i gotta get it broke in cause i didnt get a chance to play ball for almost two years

[@JG-po5cv]

1-1-Six! NICE!

[@landynshannon1453]

Could you recommend and really good catchers glove

[@ballgloveking]

At the moment I’m not sure honestly, I plan to do more work with catchers mitts so I can give a good answer in the future

[@navalsealsnipersports1199]

If you like a box shaped mitt, the A2000 is a great option (especially for smaller hands) but Rawlings can go into other shapes better. If you have a specific size and pocket depth you’re looking for I can help point out a specific pattern for you as well

[@unformal5229]

Does anyone know why a crease is starting to form near my middle finger? This also happened with my outfield glove and made stuff pop out, is it the way I’m holding the glove or closing it?

[@ballgloveking]

there is no way to be certain but I would guess it is from how you close your glove, especially if it has happened on another glove of yours in the past

[@HaydenMcCready]

Will the hot water treatment make a blond glove darker?

[@yayagazab4449]

I don’t think it’s generally a good idea to wet any type of leather (unless you use saddle soap) because when it dries it can become brittle which means you need to oil it or condition/restore it with saddle soap or any oil-based or water-based conditioner.

[@xxRock81xx]

Your not getting it that wet, I do add conditioner once done. Water does two things, it softs the glove just enough to work/best the hinge points in, to beat the pocket as deep as you like, and then to have it dry into the shape you want it. It doesn't make the glove brittle.

[@freddybuckets9147]

this vid helped me so much on my a2000

[@gpdobs]

Should be ok using the hot water treatment on a snakeskin backed glove, right? My 44 is coming in a week!

[@ballgloveking]

Yeah you’ll be good!

[@gpdobs]

@@ballgloveking You're the man!

[@brandoncollins2819]

Would black laces on a blonde 44 glove mess up the dye?

[@ballgloveking]

My guess is no but I can’t give you a 100% answer

[@Jamessalvati]

Yo king u should try to get a prospt Rawlings it’s a horween 11.75 but plays like a 12 with a single post web you’ll prolly like it alot

[@briansimon1263]

using a weighted balls works wonders

[@jskinnytv5822]

Good video man thanks

[@ballgloveking]

Yessir!

[@darinshea8394]

I have that same hat! Go White Sox!

[@cartercasteel1359]

I used a light dumbbell to break the henges

[@christopherberreth5076]

how should i form my infield glove

[@ballgloveking]

You just want the glove to be welcoming to ground balls, that’s why I like to flare the thumb and pinky a little bit

[@THEgenART]

This sounds so sad BUT i wish I had a neighbor that could throw hard and also catch a fast throw reliably. Aside from actually going to the ballpark, the fastest ball my glove sees is me playing ‘couch catch’ with myself. If it was free, or if people weren’t around, I would almost wanna go to a batting cage and have it zip 80-90mph fastballs while I just act like I’m at first or something.

[@golfballwhackerguy8033]

That’s a great idea TBH.. real ballers would understand.

[@squad4273]

I am ordering a 44 pro glove soon should i do it not broken in at all or have it slightly pre broken in?

[@ballgloveking]

It doesn’t make a huge difference. I’ve decided I’d rather not do pro stiff because it is a very small difference I’d rather save a little time on the break in

[@squad4273]

@@ballgloveking Alright thanks for the advice!

[@39smooth66]

Does this work for catchers gloves

[@ballgloveking]

Generally yes but go watch my last video for a catchers mitt!

[@smartguy299]

can i skip the water part?

[@ballgloveking]

Yes

[@smartguy299]

@@ballgloveking Thanks

[@maggiebangert3426]

Oh yeah Chris this is how I always break in My gloves

[@coltonbrown2646]

wait was the rev on x even out because its on his table

[@15trucklt83]

I’m old school. I use a glove conditioner and leave a ball in the pocket for a couple days under my pillow. I repeat using a hood glove conditioner every day for about a week. Then once I get the pocket formed. I just go play catch with it. Usually only takes a day of practice to break in a new glove. Maybe two days if you do short practices. I’ve steamed one glove at dicks. I’ll never do that again.

[@eldonbeast2229]

Does dose the hot water treatment on super skin and snake skins

[@ballgloveking]

It won’t damage super skin but I’m not sure it has the same effect it does on leather and for snakeskin it’s gonna do the same thing is does with leather

[@Sammydx1]

My Grandfather said he would bury his mitt in the backyard wrapped in a bag. The reason was that the ground was always moving, freezing, thawing.

[@crumillion2068]

If the glove was strictly used for softball would you still use a baseball to form the pocket? Might be a dumb question but just got my 44 today and am currently breaking it in for softball.

[@ballgloveking]

Not a dumb question and I’d just use a softball

[@crumillion2068]

@@ballgloveking thanks man. Love the videos keep up the good work!

[@nicksnake3814]

Life saver

[@ballgloveking]

👌🏻

[@richardrobinson1663]

That hot water warning...Lol, my son got a custom Camel w/blue laces and I told him to wait before he went with the water...He thought I was crazy. All my gamers are black. But thank you, he was fine with listening to a "stranger on the internet" over good ole dad.

[@ballgloveking]

Lol I’m very glad I could help

[@dcbrown101ify]

silly question, but how do you know that the hot water is 140-160 degrees like recommended? Just boil water and let it sit and cool enough to touch with your hands without burning?

[@NotDaBiggestBird05]

I a dark green good to do hot water with tan for everything else?

[@ytube0412]

Do you still hot water a glove with superskin or snake skin? Do these materials change your break in approach? Thanks

[@Snaxarus]

Is there any chance you have a 44 Pro Japan Select? I’ve been eyeing one down for myself, but I’ve heard mixed reviews. I’m not really in a position to pick one up and not use it if I don’t like it.

[@ballgloveking]

I don’t have one but they are very different from typical gloves, I do know that

[@Snaxarus]

Yeah, they look pretty unique but nobody seems to be buying or reviewing them. I have a signature series outfield softball glove, but I’m looking for one with a wider heel for when I play third. I might go for the JP11 or 574 then. Thanks for the quick reply.

[@navalsealsnipersports1199]

Japanese gloves in general have straighter fingers, MUCH wider heels and palms, shallower pockets, and because of their shape, run a bit shorter than we’d think they are. (11.75 might feel more like an 11.5). I’d only use one if you have bigger hands and like the straighter fingers. Definitely a unique style of glove.

[@stop....hammertime]

Yeah! Thanks so much! Doing the heel now!😆

[@brandonbattaglia08]

I don’t get it the bad way to close my glove is naturally how It closes and I’ve used it for a year how do I fix it

[@ballgloveking]

What glove brand and model do you have?

[@brandonbattaglia08]

@@ballgloveking I have a Wilson a2000, it’s the Jose altuve model, and I do have a glove mallet by the way

[@brandonbattaglia08]

@@ballgloveking I think it is the fingers not being Broken in how do I break in the fingers

[@navalsealsnipersports1199]

@@brandonbattaglia08 does it close with the thumb going to the index finger or the ring finger/pinkie?

[@danielhoward571]

Very good content educate educate. Thx.

[@jwaight83]

You do realize that steaming a glove (at Dicks or at home) is significantly safer for the quality of the glove leather not to mention its the same thing essentially as using hot water right....right?

[@stop-wn5uu]

can u do the hot water treatment with superskin?

[@jspr.k480]

I just had a question about the hot water treatment. I just wanted to make sure if a glove had red laces with a black glove, the red wouldn’t go into the leather?

[@navalsealsnipersports1199]

Red will bleed into the black, but you won’t notice it because the black is so dark. Red and blue dyes don’t hold well in leather so they will always bleed, but you could literally put red dye on black leather and you still won’t see it

[@HH-vf1ps]

How do you keep the heel stiff??

[@ballgloveking]

By taking care of the glove and not laying it on it’s side!

[@cadeanglin4238]

Any ideas on how to break in a HOH for a 9u player? I really don’t want to form it for my hand. He can’t squeeze it much yet.

[@xxRock81xx]

Beat the snot out of it, especially the desired hinge points.

[@vickiehughes68]

Can the hot water treatment be done more than once?

[@joshsampson02]

Does hot water treatment effect black and tan

[@bobotremba9527]

44’s are definitely the worst for the laces bleeding

[@ballgloveking]

true

[@BrandonRideout135]

Can you do a review on rico gloves im looking at purchasing one because of the customization options

[@navalsealsnipersports1199]

Good gloves for younger kids, but they won’t hold up in high school ball or anything like that

[@BrandonRideout135]

@@navalsealsnipersports1199 it would be a weekly mens league idk if softball or hardball yet but not a lot of playing

[@navalsealsnipersports1199]

@@BrandonRideout135 if you like cheap gloves with tons of custom options I’d just go with 44. It’s like $40 more and miles better

[@BrandonRideout135]

@@navalsealsnipersports1199 OK cause Rico does have more customization than 44

[@navalsealsnipersports1199]

@@BrandonRideout135 Rico leather doesn’t make up for it imo tho. If you’re willing to sacrifice quality for color and $40, then Rico is the way to go

[@sirdockery5972]

How long does it take to break in the heel of the glove I have been doing the thing he taught us for a bout an hour and still can’t close it. What should I do