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Breaking In A Baseball Glove

Breaking down the best ways to break in a mitt for baseball or softball

There are so many different ways to break in a glove. Just a single Internet search on how to break in a baseball glove brings up more ways to potentially break in a glove than you could possibly try.
The common thread is applying something that softens the leather, then applying some form of heat or pressure.
So let's try to make it more simple. Here are some of the best ways to get that mitt to be game-ready:

SOFTENING AGENTS
Glove oil: This is what the glove manufacturers will tout, and usually with the oil that they sell. It will soften the leather, but be careful not to put too much on it or it could damage the glove. You'll also make it heavier the more oil you put on it, so just a thin coat works best.
Shaving cream: Not the gel, of course. Good old shaving cream, like Barbasol or Noxema, which has lanolin. Some people swear by it. Shaving cream softens your skin for shaving, and the same premise is at work here.
Saddle soap: What exactly is saddle soap? Ask a cowboy. It's an agent used for saddles and boots, and it cleans and lubricates the leather. Glycerin and lanolin are typically an ingredient.
Vaseline: This might make the glove a little heavy and might break the leather down as well. Some people swear by it, however, including big-leaguers.
Baby oil: Tread lightly here. There are better options. The baby oil might make it too slick and the glove might absorb too much of it as well.
HEATING/BEATING AGENTS
Sunlight: If you live in a cold, cloudy state like Michigan or Ohio, this is hit or miss. If you live in Florida or Arizona, this is a nice, safe option. Put your softening agent on, wrap up the glove with a ball or two in the pocket and let it back the way nature intended. Tie the glove up tightly with a rubber band or shoelaces, and it is also important to put a ball or two in the pocket to give the glove a place where a ball will settle very easily when those line drives and fly balls come at you.
A hot car: Also works better in the South or West. The greenhouse effect gets your car upwards of 150 degrees. Tie up or tape up the glove and leave it there for a while.
Microwave: Some major leaguers swear by this method. Thirty seconds should be plenty. But beware -- this can cause damage.
"My glove made an error, not me. It made an error, so to punish it, I put it in the microwave and left it in there 30 seconds," said outfielder Torii Hunter in an ESPN.com story. "And it actually felt a lot better. I'm like, 'Wow,' let me go ahead keep doing this so every year in spring training I would do it to break my glove in."
But remember -- if a big-leaguer ruins his glove, all he has to do is call the manufacturer and they'll send another one out. Extreme heat can damage the fibers of the glove. A glove is an investment for the rest of us, so proceed with caution. (And I seriously doubt the sporting goods store will allow a return on a cooked baseball glove.) And if your glove has any metal grommets, forget it. Metal and the microwave never mix.
Conventional oven: Bake it like a pizza, Stephen Drew says. Baste it in shaving cream and cook it -- but just a few minutes -- at 350 degrees.
Beat it up: There are a variety of methods here. Some will beat it with a bat. Some will put it between the mattress and box springs of a bed. Some will even run it over with a car, or leave it under a tire.
ALTERNATIVES
Let a pro do it: If you can hire somebody to do your taxes, your housework or your shopping, why not have somebody break in your glove? Dave Katz, owner of Katz Sports Shop in Meriden, Conn., calls himself a master glovesmith, and he's a pro. No word on the cost or how long it takes, but if you're serious about it, you can contact Dave through his website.
Dunking in water: Ever leave your glove out in the rain? That might be why you need a new one. But to break in a glove, some people will dunk a glove quickly in water, after it's been tied up or taped up, and that sets the preferred form of the glove. Towel it off immediately.
Want to see a demonstration? Former big-leaguer Harold Reynolds did a segment on MLB Network on breaking in a glove -- using water -- that's very informative.
And the best way of all? Go out and play catch with it every day. You'll drop a few, but the glove will come around and will form perfectly to your hand if you have enough time to put in. And it is almost a guarantee you won't damage your investment at all.

 

BASEBALL GLOVE REVIEW: MIZUNO GLOBAL ELITE INFIELDERS GLOVES

Today, we are highlighting one of our most popular glove brands, Mizuno, and their Global Elite series. Mizuno, a Japanese sports equipment company, was founded in 1906 and continues to manufacture a variety of great baseball products including fielding gloves, bats, cleats, batting gloves, apparel, and much more. As a sporting goods retailer, we are proud to offer the Mizuno line, as their commitment to quality and product development is unwavering. The Global Elite Series includes the 11.25", 11.5", and 11.75" Infielders gloves, so you as an Infielder can select which size works best for you. For the price point, ranging of 219.95, these gloves are an outstanding choice for a quality glove that will not break the bank for you as the customer. 
They feature E-lite Leather, which is soft and light, yet very durable, and allows for the glove to be broken in with ease. They are also Counter Balanced , which removes weight from the fingers of the glove for more control and a lightweight feel. Finally, the Mizuno Global Elite Series features Roll Welting, which increases the structure and support throughout the fingers, and this year, features a rugged new patch. If you want an Infielder's glove that breaks in with ease and keeps its structure for durability through the years, the Mizuno Global Elite is the glove for you!

We offer all of these gloves at our site, proplayersupply.com, and for a limited time, you can use a coupon that can be found which takes 10% off of your order. (**restrictions apply for Holiday Specials and Team Packages) So stop by the site, and check out the Mizuno Global Elite Series, and get ready to Play Like a Pro. 

Coaches Clipboard

Key Exercises to improve Bat Speed!

To help you strengthen and improve your baseball swing, there are three great exercises you can start using today. Of course, the key to your ultimate success will rely on the frequency at which you practice these exercises. By setting aside a couple of hours each week to work on your baseball swing, you should be noticing significant improvements in no time.It is important to keep a detailed log of the exercises you complete and how these exercises are helping your baseball swing. For instance, you may want keep track of your batting average as you work on these exercises to see what kind of improvements, if any, are shown in the long run. By staying dedicated and passionate, your swing will improve by leaps and bounds.

Weighted Bat Swings

Perhaps one of the most important components of a successful baseball swing is your bat speed. To improve your bat speed, you'll need to be comfortable with swinging heavier, weighted bats. All you need to get started with this exercise is a set of weighted donuts that can be placed around your bat. Before or during each one of your baseball practices, you should take these weighted donuts and place them around the baseball bat. Then, you can have a coach or teammate do a couple sets by soft tossing baseballs while you stand at the plate. As you become more familiar with swinging the heavier bat, you'll notice that your swing with a regular bat will tend to speed up. This will allow you to improve your overall bat speed and take advantage of fastball pitches. You should practice this exercise roughly two to three times per week.

Hip Rotations

Next, it is imperative that you develop a high-quality stretching routine before each practice and baseball game. Regular stretching allows you to improve your flexibility and the stability of your core muscles. Your core muscles include your stomach area, hips, hamstrings and glutes. To stretch your hamstrings, simply bend over at the waist and touch your toes. You should also practice hip rotations on a regular basis by turning your upper body from side to side without moving your feet. By becoming more comfortable with your hip rotations, you will be able to have a greater range of motion when swinging a baseball bat.

Pectoral Exercises

Finally, you should learn how to properly do the pec mob exercise. In this exercise, you use a set of weighted cables to strengthen your spine and chest muscles. These muscles are essential to powerful baseball swings. To properly do this exercise, you will grab a cable with one hand and stand so that your back is facing the machine. Then, you should place your foot on the side that is holding the cable forward. Then, you simply pull the cable behind you up and forward as far as you can, using your hips and chest muscles to complete the exercise. At the top of each set, you should hold the pose for one to two seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times for each hand.

Pro Player Workouts

At Pro Player Supply, we are all about equipping each athlete with the best tools to perform at the highest level. One of the features of this blog is to highlight professional athlete workouts, so you can get a behind-the-scenes look at what the top players are doing to reach ultimate levels of success in sports. Today, we are highlighting Albert Pujols' workout routine, which has helped him become one of the most dominant 1st Baseman of all time. http://www.mlbplayerworkouts.com/albert-pujols

We sell the equipment and apparel, while also providing these exclusive pro workouts to you at no cost! ~Pro Player Supply Staff

Promotion for Sporting Goods Apparel and Equipment

INTRODUCTION: SAVE 10% ON YOUR NEXT ORDER!

We wanted to include a special promotion within our first blog post. Based out of Everett, WA, Pro Player Supply is your one-stop-shop for sporting goods equipment and apparel. With brands such as EvoShield, Rawlings, Worth, Mizuno, Louisville Slugger, Wilson, and many others, we provide you with a wide variety of products to perform at the highest level. 

If you want to save some money while getting the top gear, all you have to do is go to proplayersupply.com and use the code TAKEOFF and you will save 10%. Check out our new and improved site, and follow our blog to get the scoop on the latest deals we are offering and also expert reviews on baseball and softball bats, gloves, cleats, etc.

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