Once you've successfully broken into your new softball mitt, outfield glove, or  custom softball glove, the next crucial step is prioritizing its proper care. This practice extends the lifespan of your glove, enabling it to endure multiple seasons. Still, it also safeguards the meticulously crafted shape of the mitt or glove that you dedicated significant time and effort into establishing. By diligently caring for your glove, you enhance its durability and maintain the integrity of the customized fit you worked hard to achieve.

Regular maintenance routines will play a great role in maintaining the peak performance of your softball gloves. One fundamental aspect of softball glove care is keeping the glove clean and debris-free. After each use, take a few moments to carefully remove any dirt or excess moisture. This simple step contributes to the glove's overall cleanliness and prevents the accumulation of substances that could compromise the leather.

Storage is another critical aspect of glove care. Utilizing a glove bag or wrapping it in a soft cloth can provide extra protection against dust and potential scratches.

Inspect your glove regularly for any signs of wear and tear, such as loose or weakened laces. Addressing these issues promptly will help prevent them from escalating into more significant problems, ultimately prolonging the life of your glove.

Shaping Fastpitch Softball Gloves

Players should shape their new gloves personally. If the glove is made of genuine leather, it will initially be stiff and difficult to manipulate for the first few weeks. Players should begin by wearing the new glove multiple times a day and focus on shaping and flexing the new leather with their hand inside the glove. The athlete must take the time to customize its shape according to their preferences, as they will use the glove once it loosens up and becomes game ready.

Play Catch and Practice with Your New Softball Glove

Once the glove has acquired some shape and the player's hand feels comfortable inside, the next step is to use it. This can involve throwing the ball into the glove from a seated or standing position or tossing stationary pop flies. A new leather glove will naturally be stiff, and younger players, in particular, can gain confidence and familiarity with their glove by working with it throughout the break in process. Once the player feels at ease and the glove has become more pliable, they can play catch with a teammate, parent, or coach. Even if the glove is not fully prepared for practice, it is advised to use the new glove during the throwing warm-up.

Properly Wrap Your Softball Gloves When Not in Use

This step is of utmost importance for new gloves, as it helps maintain their shape. After you have finished using your glove for the day, place a 12" softball inside it, bend the glove around the ball, and then tightly wrap something around the glove to secure everything in place. Sturdy materials such as elastic wraps, headbands, or specialized glove wraps can be used for this purpose.

Watch our “Break in Your Glove” video about our recommendation on how to break in your glove. You can view our other videos on our YouTube channel.

Protect Your Softball Outfield Gloves from Harsh Conditions

While you can't prevent exposing your glove to the elements, you should try to keep it out of harsh circumstances as much as possible. This includes keeping it away from hot or cold cars and moist basements or leaving it outside overnight to collect moisture. Each situation can drastically degrade your glove's leather, limit its lifespan, and make it appear worn out before its time.

Check and Maintain the Laces

Some players like looser laces; however, excessively loose laces in the web or fingers can cause various complications. Most importantly, slack laces are more likely to break. Replacing snapped laces can be costly and labor-intensive. Instead, check and tighten the laces throughout the season. This helps to evenly disperse the stress between the laces and the leather, making it less likely that you will have to deal with any significant issues soon.

Keep Your Softball Glove Active and In Use, Even During Off-Season

While it may seem obvious, you may not have many opportunities to use your glove during the offseason lull. However, it is crucial to keep it in good condition. You can do things like toss a ball into it. The goal is to prevent your glove from becoming stiff or sitting idle for months and losing the shape you painstakingly formed while breaking it in.

Indoor Winter Storage

Regarding your softball equipment, particularly gloves and bats, one crucial tip is to store them indoors at room temperature during the winter. It can be tempting to toss gloves into buckets or bags and leave them in cars during the colder months, but avoiding them is crucial. New gloves, especially those in the process of being broken in, should be kept at room temperature. This helps with the leather-breaking process and prevents premature wear and aging.

Always Keep a Ball Inside Your Softball Gloves

Players have been advised to keep a ball inside their glove from a young age when it's not used. This practice is essential because it helps the glove maintain its shape. If players neglect proper storage, their gloves will gradually flatten out, making it difficult to field and catch routine balls. Remember, taking care of your glove ensures it takes care of you!

Choose Proper Storage Instead of Tossing It in Your Bag

Many players tend to throw their gloves into their bags after games. Unfortunately, this often results in the glove getting jammed against other items in the bag, which can deform its shape. In this case, our top recommendation is either carrying the glove outside of your bag or, at the very least, placing a ball in the pocket before putting it in your bag.

Frequent Cleaning While Minimize Cleaning Oils

Dirt will inevitably find its way onto your softball gloves unless you're playing on turf exclusively. While some dirt buildup may look appealing on specific leather colors, it is detrimental to the glove leather.

To prevent damage from dirt, it's simple: wipe off the glove using a dry brush, a terry cloth, or cotton fabric. Avoid overusing water, as this can drive dirt deeper and prematurely dry out your leather. It is always best to follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Feel free to email us any questions that you have about your Tigress Glove.

Utilize Glove Conditioner

While oils can add unnecessary weight and break down leather fibers, using a glove conditioner is highly beneficial for maintaining the leather's shape without adverse effects. The key is to use the conditioner sparingly, applying it only once every few months, depending on the glove use.

What is the Importance of Cleaning Your Softball Gloves?

Proper care is crucial to extending the lifespan of your softball glove beyond one season. While most gloves are made of robust and durable organic leather, they can deteriorate without proper maintenance. Neglecting to care for your glove throughout a season will turn your investment into a short-lived one. After investing the time to break in your glove, the last thing you want is to start the entire process again.

How to Clean Softball Gloves?

Cleaning a baseball or softball glove involves more than wiping off excess dirt. You can use specific tools and techniques to learn how to clean your glove effectively.

You will need:

• A brush
• Terry cloth, cotton rag, or equivalent fabric
• Leather-safe cleaner. Research what others may be using online and check reviews.
• Glove conditioner. Check the label to see if it is approved for softball gloves.

Steps:

1. Gently remove excess dirt and debris from your fielding glove using a brush or cloth.
2. Use a softball glove-safe cleaner and a soft cloth to remove any remaining dirt. Remember, a little cleaner goes a long way.
3. Work a light amount of glove conditioner into the glove. Follow the directions and do not over apply, as it can build up over time, weigh down the glove, and attract dirt and debris. Ensure you apply conditioner between the fingers and on the inside of the glove to prevent leather deterioration.

We recommend using Tigress Glove Balm to help your glove last for years.

Properly cleaning your softball glove will help maintain its performance and durability, ensuring it remains a reliable asset for future seasons.

Properly Cleaning the Interior of a Softball Glove

Cleaning the inside of your softball glove is like cleaning the exterior, with one important distinction: preventing and addressing mold growth. It's crucial to be vigilant and take steps to remove any mold. Follow these steps to clean the inside of your softball glove effectively:

Check for Mold Growth: Inspect the inside of your glove thoroughly, paying close attention to areas prone to moisture buildup. If you spot any mold growth, take immediate action.

Remove Mold: Use a soft cloth or brush to gently buff away any visible mold. Be careful not to scrub too vigorously, as it may damage the glove's material.

Apply Glove Oil: Select a suitable glove oil once the mold is removed. Apply a small amount of the oil to a clean cloth and rub it over the interior surface of the glove. Make sure to cover all areas evenly.

By following these steps, you can effectively clean the inside of your softball glove, remove mold growth, and maintain its quality and performance. Remember to regularly inspect and clean your glove to prevent mold from developing and ensure it remains in optimal condition for the game.