22 Jan, 2024
Once you've successfully broken into your new softball mitt, outfield glove, or custom softball glove , the next crucial step is prioritizing its proper care. This practice extends the lifespan of your glove, enabling it to endure multiple seasons. Still, it also safeguards the meticulously crafted shape of the mitt or glove that you dedicated significant time and effort into establishing. By diligently caring for your glove, you enhance its durability and maintain the integrity of the customized fit you worked hard to achieve. Regular maintenance routines will play a great role in maintaining the peak performance of your softball gloves. One fundamental aspect of softball glove care is keeping the glove clean and debris-free. After each use, take a few moments to carefully remove any dirt or excess moisture. This simple step contributes to the glove's overall cleanliness and prevents the accumulation of substances that could compromise the leather. Storage is another critical aspect of glove care. Utilizing a glove bag or wrapping it in a soft cloth can provide extra protection against dust and potential scratches. Inspect your glove regularly for any signs of wear and tear, such as loose or weakened laces. Addressing these issues promptly will help prevent them from escalating into more significant problems, ultimately prolonging the life of your glove. Shaping Fastpitch Softball Gloves Players should shape their new gloves personally. If the glove is made of genuine leather, it will initially be stiff and difficult to manipulate for the first few weeks. Players should begin by wearing the new glove multiple times a day and focus on shaping and flexing the new leather with their hand inside the glove. The athlete must take the time to customize its shape according to their preferences, as they will use the glove once it loosens up and becomes game ready. Play Catch and Practice with Your New Softball Glove Once the glove has acquired some shape and the player's hand feels comfortable inside, the next step is to use it. This can involve throwing the ball into the glove from a seated or standing position or tossing stationary pop flies. A new leather glove will naturally be stiff, and younger players, in particular, can gain confidence and familiarity with their glove by working with it throughout the break in process. Once the player feels at ease and the glove has become more pliable, they can play catch with a teammate, parent, or coach. Even if the glove is not fully prepared for practice, it is advised to use the new glove during the throwing warm-up. Properly Wrap Your Softball Gloves When Not in Use This step is of utmost importance for new gloves, as it helps maintain their shape. After you have finished using your glove for the day, place a 12" softball inside it, bend the glove around the ball, and then tightly wrap something around the glove to secure everything in place. Sturdy materials such as elastic wraps, headbands, or specialized glove wraps can be used for this purpose.