Break in Your New Glove--Rawlings-Style

Put it under your mattress and sleep on it, massage shaving cream into it--You've heard all the tricks for breaking in your new Rawlings glove.

Your father may swear by them, but when it comes to getting your new glove ready to go, Rawlings can walk you through everything you need to do.

Follow these steps to have your glove in mid-season form on the first day of practice:

Step 1: Work the Padding
Using both hands, grab the heel of your glove by each side and twist it back and forth. Do the same with the fingers and thumb of your glove. This will ease the tension of the fibers inside the glove padding, creating a more comfortable fit.

Step 2: Soften the Leather
Condition your glove with a light coating of Rawlings Glovolium leather treatment oil. This will soften your glove and make it more comfortable. Be aware that some glove oils will darken the leather. For Primo gloves, we recommend using the Primo Butter that is formulated for these high-end gloves. The Pro Preferred Care Kit has a non-staining formula that is ideal for light-tan, kip leather, and color-dyed leather-such as Pro Preferred gloves.

Step 3: Wrap Your Glove
Place a Rawlings baseball or softball in the pocket of your glove and close it. Fold it the way you want your glove to close in your game. Secure your glove with rubber bands and let it rest in a cool, dry place. This will allow your glove to conform to the shape of a baseball or softball more readily and easily.

Step 4: Play Catch
The more you use your new Rawlings glove, the better it will fit and feel to your hand.

Step 5: Maintain Your Glove
Inspect the laces of your glove every 6 months and replace them as needed. Always store your glove in a cool, dry place with a ball in the pocket when not in use and during the offseason. We recommend using a softball to increase the size of the pocket. Treat your glove with Rawlings Glovolium to ensure it will last for years.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) to purchase your glove or order Rawlings Glovolium.