Breaking in a catchers mitt

Question
My daughter is a U-10 fastpitch catcher.  Got her a catcher's mitt, but was unaware I should have ordered one "broken in".  The mitt, being smaller than usual, is very stiff and she isn't quite strong enough to close it.  I've been given some advice (warm oven for 20 minutes after conditioning, put in a pillow case and dry in the dryer for 20 minutes,etc.) but hesitate to follow it as I'm afraid to damage the mitt.  Any suggestions?

Answer
Hi Amy, thanks for your question.  Ahhh, the eternal softball question, "how do I properly soften my glove?"  The safest answer I can give you is to head to the sports department, there are softening sprays/rubs with directions on how to properly do it, but be sure to ask the salesman there as well.  

The dryer one is new on me, but it sounds like a decent idea.  I know people on my team have done everything from using shaving cream and then putting the glove in the microwave for a few seconds, to using leather softener and then the oven, to driving onto their glove with their car and then leaving it there over night.  There are tons of ways to soften your glove and everyone will guarantee that theirs is the best.  Just keep in mind that gloves are made of leather, a natural material.  Leather is very durable and yet quite forgiving so I'm sure that all of these different techniques will provide good results.  But gloves are usually fairly pricy, which is why I recommend you head to your local sports department and get the softening agents their.

Good luck!