Guide to breaking in a Baseball or Softball Glove

Every baseball and softball glove tells the story of the player using it on the field. The more it's used, the better the glove can become as it molds to a player’s hand. Gloves suffer through every practice, catch session, and game so that players have one that’s all their own. In this guide, our experts break down how to break in a softball glove or baseball glove quickly so you can perform your best.

If it’s good enough for glove guru Shigeaki Aso, it’s good enough for us! This method is the fastest way to break in a baseball glove and requires minimal tools. We believe this is the best way because you’re in full control of how much pressure you apply and how much you stretch out the glove laces. Here’s how to do it:

When it comes to breaking in a baseball glove or softball glove, you must start by gathering tools that are safe to use on your glove. You will need:

• Warm water + a container to pour it

• Glove mallet

• Clean surface or towel

Warm water (not hot or boiling) allows you to stretch and shape the material of your glove easily. Place the glove on a clean surface or towel. Make sure you lay it down in a way that will prevent water from entering the finger stalls. Pour water conservatively at first, and add a little more as needed.

With the back of the glove facing your chest, grasp each side of the heel (the base of it where you stick your hand in). Squeeze tightly, and slide the glove back and forth with both hands moving in opposite directions back and forth.

Firmly grab the glove on both sides at the top, with one hand on the thumb stall and the other hand grasping the pinky finger stall. Stretch the webbing. Doing so will extend the webbing as well as expand the finger stalls. Mind how much force you use during this step. Use more if you prefer a looser top lace, and use less if you want to retain its original structure.

Take the glove in both hands. Shape the webbing into a ‘Z’ form and apply firm pressure as you squeeze for at least seven seconds. This step helps your glove not feel stiff when you open and close it.

Turn your glove palm side up and open. Grab your glove mallet and use it to deepen the pocket to the depth you prefer. If you’re unsure how deep your glove pocket should be, read our guide on softball glove sizes

Close the glove and turn the thumb stall toward you. Use your glove mallet to beat the outside of the heel, beginning with the thumb side and following up with the pinky side, until you’re satisfied with the softness of the glove. This step improves how quickly you can open and close the glove.

Playing catch after completing the steps above helps the glove form to your hand and the shape of a ball through repeated use. It flexes the leather, helps form the pocket, and mimics game use, making it the fastest way to break in a glove.

Keep in mind that this method for breaking in a glove yields different results depending on the material of your glove. Synthetic gloves may break in the quickest, whereas premium leather gloves may take a few days to a couple of weeks. It’s also important to note that your glove will adjust back to its original form slightly, no matter what technique you use.

There are an endless number of ways you could conceivably break in a glove. However, many of them either harm the integrity of the glove itself or void the manufacturer’s warranties. Below are a few methods that won’t damage your glove.

Glove wrapping is one of the easiest ways to break in a ball glove. Neither the set-up nor the execution of this requires any extra tools other than what you likely already have around the house: rubber bands, your glove, and a softball or baseball.

• Place a baseball or softball in the pocket of the glove.

• Close the glove with the ball inside. Ensure the thumb and pinky touch.

• Wrap and fasten rubber bands around each section of the ball glove.

• Leave it somewhere cool and dry for at least two days.

If the glove still feels a bit stiff after two days, you can repeat this process as many times as needed.

If you’re not keen on using water to help soften the material of your new glove, there are glove-safe conditioners, gels, and oil sprays you can use instead. Just like with water, start with a small amount of product and slowly add more as needed. All you have to do is put the product on a clean, dry cloth and apply it to the glove in thin, even layers.

Glove webbing is typically thinner than the rest of the glove, so avoid using too much product there.

Try Our Favorites:

• Rawlings Glove Gel

• Hot Glove® Glove Management System

• Tanners Glove Oil Spray

Knowing what not to do when breaking in a glove is just as important as knowing the right methods. Some of the old-school “tricks” you’ve heard about might actually do more harm than good. Here’s what to avoid if you want your glove to last more than one season:

• Don’t soak it in water or put it in the microwave. It might seem like a fast way to soften the leather, but too much moisture or heat can warp the shape and ruin the material.

• Skip the car trick. Leaving your glove under the seat or on the dashboard in the hot sun might heat things up, but it can dry out the leather and make it brittle over time.

• Avoid using oils that aren’t made for gloves. Cooking oil, motor oil, or anything else from your garage or kitchen isn’t designed for glove leather and can break it down.

• Don’t overdo it with glove conditioner. A little goes a long way—too much can make the glove heavy and greasy.

• Don’t try to “flatten” it. Sitting on your glove or smashing it under a mattress can damage the padding and ruin its structure.

Breaking in a glove isn’t something you want to rush. Once it’s properly broken in, it will feel like an extension of your hand, giving you better control, faster reactions, and way more confidence on the field. If you’re still looking for the perfect fit, check out the baseball and softball gloves at Academy Sports + Outdoors!

It depends on how often you work with it. If you're playing catch regularly or using a glove mallet, you might get it game-ready in a few weeks. Some stiffer gloves take a bit longer, especially if they’re made from thicker leather. The key is consistent use and patience.

A little water is okay, but don’t go overboard. Lightly dampening the leather can help soften it, but you should never soak or saturate your glove. Too much water can mess with the shape and wear out the material faster.

It might soften the leather, but it’s not recommended. Hot or boiling water can damage the glove’s structure and weaken the laces. If you’re using water, stick to lukewarm and keep it minimal.

No, you cannot use WD-40 to break in a baseball glove. WD-40 is not meant for leather, so it can make your glove greasy and even break down the material over time. You’re better off using a glove conditioner or oil specifically made for baseball or softball gloves.