How To Manage Your Baseball Gloves
Any professional baseball player would tell you that baseball gloves are the most integral part of the play next only to the bats.
Whatever be your catching position, the gloves you have on will dictate a good part of your performance. It is important to get yourself the most comfortable baseball gloves and have it broken in for your hand.
Tips on buying a baseball glove
If you are sure of the make and model you want to buy, then order it online. You will get the benefit of a discount, baseball gloves are cheaper online than at the retailer.
If you are not sure of make and model you want, its best to try it out at the local store. Put on the gloves and see if it feels right.
Good quality gloves would cost you anywhere between $50 to $150. Though its tempting to buy a cheaper glove, in the long run you would tend to lose out. It's best to buy quality gloves when you are buying.
If you would be playing infielder, then you would need to go in for smaller gloves, if you are an outfielder you would need to go in for bigger gloves.
If the gloves you buy requires a specific lotion or oil, you can get that from the same shop instead of buying it outside.
Tips on maintaining your baseball gloves
You gloves are made up of 90% leather and 10% other synthetic material. Leather initially would be hard and dry. You would need to break in the glove before they become useable.
a.) Apply a small layer of lotion or oil on your gloves and wipe it dry with a cloth. Handle the gloves with care, don't use a harsh cloth for wiping.
b.) Don't wet your gloves under any circumstance. The leather tends to get heavy because of the moisture.
c.) After a couple of day of oiling, you can play catch with your gloves. While you play catch, make sure you hold the ball at the center of the gloves. The more you play the better the glove will shape.
d.) If you want your glove to shape quickly, you should place a ball in the center of the glove and wrap it up with a belt or shoe string. This helps the glove gain the hollow required for better catching.
e.) Don't leave the glove in the open sun. Heat is very detrimental to your leather glove. Make sure the gloves are always kept in the shade.