Alright, so I wanted to share my experience with conditioning my baseball glove. I got this new glove a while back, and it was stiff as a board. Seriously, I could barely close it. So, I decided to give it some TLC and make it game-ready.
Gathering My Stuff
First things first, I had to gather some stuff. I grabbed some:
- glove oil, just a basic one I found at the sports store.
- a couple of clean rags
- and a big zip-top bag
The First Step
I started by giving the glove a good wipe down with a damp rag to get rid of any dust or whatever. Then, I took my glove oil and put a little bit on a clean rag. I didn’t want to drown the glove, just enough to get it coated.
Rubbing It In
Then came the fun part. I started rubbing the oil into the leather, making sure I hit every inch of the glove. I used small, circular motions, just like they tell you to. I paid extra attention to the pocket and the areas that bend a lot.
Freezer Time
Once the glove was all oiled up, here’s a trick I tried. I put it in that big zip-top bag and tossed it in the freezer. Yeah, you heard me right, the freezer! I left it in there for a good two days. Sounds crazy, I know, but someone told me it works.
Thawing and Working It
After a couple of days, I took the glove out and let it thaw. Then, I added some more oil, a small amount, then started working the leather. I opened and closed the glove, flexed it, squeezed it, you name it. I just kept at it until the leather started to feel softer and more flexible.
Petroleum Jelly Magic
The last step was to apply some petroleum jelly, the stuff I had lying around. I used a rag, and gently rubbed it into the leather. A little bit is enough, I made sure that I applied it to every part of the glove, just like how I did with the oil. They say it helps protect the leather.
End Result
It took some time and effort, but my glove is finally starting to feel broken in. It’s still not perfect, but it’s a whole lot better than when I started. I can actually close it now without feeling like I’m wrestling an alligator. I’ll keep working it, playing catch, and using it in practice, and I bet it’ll be perfect in no time. It’s all part of the process, right?
