Leather Baseball Gloves

The warm weather months means it's time to play ball; baseball that is. Anyone who has ever played baseball knows that while someone has to hit the ball with a bat, someone else has to catch those balls! The only safe method of catching flying baseballs, or even softballs, is with leather baseball gloves. These are designed to fit on the hand snug and firm. They protect the hands from the impact of a ball that can fly at speeds up to 90 miles an hour; the same speed as a car or truck that would be speeding down a highway on a long road trip. So, if someone could imagine the impact of being hit by a moving vehicle at speeds up to 90 miles an hour, then it should be a no-brainer as to why someone would need to purchase baseball mitts for the players of the game.

Leather baseball gloves can come set for the use of both hands, although right-handed gloves are the most common. They are made from very thick portions of cowhide. Because these gloves need to be so thick and durable, they won't fit the hand well at first. Like a new pair of leather shoes, they will need to be broken in for comfort, and for a proper fit on the hands. It's important that the glove fits the hands of the catcher almost perfectly. This is why many people choose to buy their own baseball mitts, instead of sharing. Beyond this, buying one's own baseball mitts is more sanitary than sharing an old and sweaty version of the mitt.

So, how does a person break in leather baseball gloves, so that they have proper fit, and so that the hands and arms are protected from the impact of a speeding ball? The most common methods of breaking in the baseball glove, is with the use of lotion, Vaseline, or with a specialty baseball glove oil. One could also use certain types of soap that are designed for thick leather hides. A person would use a nice sized dollop of their lubricant, and apply the lubricant on the glove in a thin layer. It's important for them not to saturate the glove with the lubricant, or else it will simply stain the glove. Then, as the hide of the glove begins to condition, it will bend and mold to the fit of the catcher's hand.

One important thing to note when it comes to leather baseball gloves, is that there are lots of rumors regarding breaking in the glove, by getting it wet, and then microwaving it. In short, don't do this. This will only begin a cycle of making the hide brittle and dry after the steam has evaporated. Then, the glove will break down faster, or it won't fit the catcher's hand properly.  Lastly, one should make sure that they break in a pocket in the center of the glove that will allow for a cushion. This cushion will also do its part to absorb the shock and the impact of catching a speeding and flying baseball.