How do you make a softball glove or mitt more comfortable, thus more reliable? How do you make one last so you can save yourself lots of time and money? You and I both know that catching or fielding a softball is hard enough. However, it is almost impossible with a stiff glove. We could ask Samantha Smith. Might the ball have popped out of her glove because she had not cared for it properly? Below are a few tips on how to take care of your glove or mitt. Please note that with proper care, your glove or mitt can last for a very long time. With proper care, your glove or mitt could become your best friend, because the longer it stays with you, the more reliable it becomes for those clutch situations. Just like you, your glove or mitt needs training and must stay in excellent physical condition to meet the physical demands of competitive softball. So please, be responsible and read the following. You just never know, playing softball could be your life calling.
1. Start with a can of mink oil. Other oils, lanolin, petroleum jelly, even WD 40 work. However, the tried and true oil for your softball glove is mink oil. Put a few drops of mink oil on a sponge or clean rag. Do not soak the rag or sponge. Too much oil is not good when trying to break-in or condition your softball glove or mitt. PLEASE REMEMBER leather is a “skin.” Too much oil, too much sun, or too much moisture is not good for it. Moderation is the key.
2. Work your oiled sponge or rag inside and outside the glove or mitt entirely. Do not forget to work the laces. If you see any excessive amount of oil on the leather, remove it with a dry cloth or towel.
3. Now, take the glove or mitt and twist it, bend it, pound it with your fist in a real effort to make it flexible. Spend at least 10 minutes with this. C’mon, break a sweat!
4. Now, put a softball in the pocket of your glove. Close the glove or mitt around the ball and tie it up with old belts or shoelaces. Keep the mitt wrapped overnight at room temperature. You can even sleep with it if you like. It is okay to show it some respect. Just remember that you CAN NOT leave your glove in extremely hot temperatures, because, just like a skin, it will dry out, even split in extreme cases.
5. Take a wooden mallet or use a small souvenir softball bat for this next step. Unwrap the glove or mitt and remove the softball. Place it on the hand that you do not throw with or your catching hand. Pound the inside of your mitt for about 10 minutes with the mallet or small bat. Use enough force or pressure to replicate a ball hitting your glove.
6. Place the softball back in your glove and tie it up again. Make sure you wrap the glove tight enough so your softball does not fall out. Let the glove or mitt sit alone or sleep with you overnight at room temperature. This is a good time to show some respect. After all, you just gave it a beating and it still wants to work for you.
7. The next morning, untie your glove and remove the softball. Put the glove on your hand and throw the softball into the glove for at least 10 minutes. Try to throw the ball and catch it in the pocket of the mitt.
8. Find a friend and play catch. Try to catch the softball at least 100 times while you are tossing it back and forth. I have gone to batting cages to practice catching because I do not like chasing errant throws from some of my friends. The pitching machine can throw balls to you and you can adjust the speed while in the cage. However you do it, break a sweat!
9. Keep a softball in your mitt anytime it is not in use. Prevent the palm of the glove or mitt from developing a wrinkle by wrapping it. Play catch frequently to increase your glove's ease of movement and flexibility. Keep your mink oil handy, just do not over do it.
As your glove or mitt ages, with proper care, just like you, it becomes better looking and more reliable. IT WILL NOT EVER LET YOU DOWN!
Thank you very much. I really hope you enjoyed reading Little League Softball Champs.
Joe Jackson
DAMIME PUBLISHING COMPANY
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