Okay, so, picture this: I’m out on the field, having a great game, and suddenly, the sky opens up. Rain’s pouring down, and my trusty baseball glove is soaked. I mean, really soaked. This wasn’t my first rodeo with a wet glove, so I knew I had to act fast to save it from becoming a stiff, unusable mess.
First things first, I gave that glove a good shake. I wanted to get as much water off as possible right off the bat. Then, I grabbed a clean towel and started gently blotting the leather. I avoid to rub it too hard because that could damage the leather.
Once I got most of the surface water off, I remembered a trick that works like a charm. I took some warm water, just a little, maybe half a cup, and poured it into the pocket. Then, I started pounding the pocket with my fist. Yep, you heard that right, pounding it! This helps the pocket keep its shape as it dries. I kept at it until I felt like the pocket was how I liked it.
With the pocket sorted, I placed a baseball in it, I found a dry spot in my car, right up on the dashboard where the sun hits, and wedged the glove in there to dry. If it was hot, I used to put glove between the window and the dashboard. If it hadn’t been sunny, I would have just let it air dry in a warm room. Whatever you do, don’t use a blow dryer or any direct heat, it’ll ruin the leather for sure.
Keeping the Shape
- While it was drying, I made sure to check on it regularly. I didn’t want it to dry out completely and get all stiff. To help it keep its shape, I kept a ball in the pocket. I also have a glove mallet that I use sometimes, but a ball works just as well.
- I wrapped a wide rubber band around the glove to hold the ball in place. An old glove wrap would work too. This just helps keep that nice pocket shape while it dries.
A Little TLC
Once it was mostly dry, but still a little damp, I grabbed my glove conditioner. It can be oil, it can be paste, whatever you like. I added just a tiny bit to the leather, especially in the pocket and the areas that bend a lot. This helped keep the leather soft and prevent it from cracking. I always keep some conditioner on hand because it’s really a lifesaver for keeping your glove in good shape.
And that’s it! My glove dried out nicely, kept its shape, and was ready for the next game. It might seem like a lot, but once you do it a few times, it becomes second nature. Trust me, your glove will thank you for it!
