There’s nothing like the feel and grip of an old softball mitt to help you win a game. The problem is, when the time comes that your mitt has to be retired and replaced with a new one, the fresh new mitt just don’t feel the same. That’s because, just like a new car, your new softball mitt has to go through the process of breaking in before it’s going to ‘fit like a glove’ on your hand.

How do you do this? Follow the steps below and your new softball mitt will be as good as old in no time!

Step No. 1: Work the mitt with your hands. Pull on the mitt with your hands to loosen up the leather. Soften up the fingers by bending them forwards and backwards. Do this for as long as twenty minutes.

Step No. 2: Get a bottle of shaving cream and apply this onto the palm area and the fingers of your mitt. For best results, use a brand that’s formulated with lanolin as this works its way through the leather. Do the rubbing for about five minutes, then do the same for the inside of the mitt.

Step No. 3: Get a softball and put this inside the mitt pocket. Position the mitt fingers so that they are holding the ball, with the thumb wrapped over the rest of the fingers. Using a belt or a piece of rope, secure the mitt around the ball and leave it for about 12 hours.

Step No. 4: Put it to good use. Play catch with your friends or siblings in the field or the yard. Make sure to put a great distance between you and the thrower for best results.

Step No. 5: Use your catching hand to hold the glove, and the other hand to hold a bat. Use the bat’s fatter end (also called the “barrel) and hit the mitt pocket with this. Do this repeatedly for about ten minutes.

By following these suggestions and understanding that it will take a little bit of time before your new mitt feels just like a second skin on your hand. That hand that you’re sure to raise above your head often in victory!

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