Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Aztec Charter Company
Our new charter companies website is doing well. It can be found at Aztec Charters
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Breaking in a new glove
I'v been playing ball for over 20 years, and I am no pro at breaking in gloves, but I have learned a few things along the way. Heres what I know:
1. Ovens are for the impatient. the only reason people bake their gloves, is because they wanna touch it, see it, smell it, and play with it.
2. Over-oiling is never good. the worst thing I have ever done, is over-oil a glove. As a matter of fact, a 230.00$ Nakona. Pay special attention to the middle/ring/and pinkie spots. too much oil here can make the outside of yer pocket too pliable, causing the backside of the pocket to fold-over.It sucks!
3. The whole point of a good breakin, is to stretch the pocket, making it like a damn trap! or as our shortstop calls it. The sinkhole.
FIRST...I love the water method. There are hazards, number one is excellerated dryout. If you water your glove, watch for dryness and cracking later on. Its really not rocket Science. I still have gloves I broke in with water from 15 years ago. OK, they are Dinosaurs, but, they are still in Great condition. When I get a new glove, the first thing I do, is soak it 6-8 hours. saturating the glove fairly well, and giving it some pliability.
Second... Once the glove is pretty "movable", I do everything I can, to beat out the pocket. While it's still wet, I repeatedly throw a ball into the pocket. working out that Sinkhole. A good 10 minute game of catch works even better, just make sure you don't take many "off the tips", as this time is crucial in forming a new glove. if you miss now, yer giving yer glove the OK to let them dink off the tips later. Some people Like to BEAT their glove into Submission. I have never found a glove that enjoyed this, or fared well from it. It might work well with cowboy hats, but please dont run over it with your truck!
Third...Once we have the pocket Semi-worked, its time to get a ball in there. Softballs work best. At this point, the glove should still be wet, and ya wanna apply some oil to help the leather IN THE POCKET flex,and shape. Stuff the ball in,and work the glove around the ball,like yer tryin to push the ball thru the pocket. Folding the Pinkie side in towards the thumb,and giving the ball in the pocket force.I pull,pry,and form untill the glove is nearly dry. Throw an old towel on yer lap, and turn a good show on tv, You could be here awhile.
Fourth...yer glove is drying out. It has Soaked up the tiny bit of oil you applied, and is yelling at you for more! generously rub some into all the laces. Soak the front and Back of the web. Apply a fairly thin layer throughout the entire glove. Stuff that ball back into the pocket, pushing it into the web as hard as you can, and TIE the glove up securely! I mean wrap it with your belt, Saran wrap, rubber bands, whatever!
Last....Let it Sit. Its a new season. and plenty of practices before the season opener, So let it sit. Dont rush yer glove, and it wont let you down! Your glove should NOT be Super soft and squishy. It should be Super flexible, especially at the hinge/web, but not "foldable" in any way. or balls will go right thru it. Especially if you have Short fingers like I do. Nothing worse than Having a ball just fold your glove over and go right by you. Dont Over-oil! Remember, you can always make a glove Softer, but can NEVER make a glove Stiffer!
When i refer to oil,..I mean a quality oil. I have had great results with Nokona's, However, I have never found an oil that's better for gloves, than stuff called Hubbards Boot grease. It is dreamy. You must use it sparingly, like I have stated, but it conditions, and weatherproofs like NO OTHER. Mink oil can produce decent results, as well as some of the leather conditioners I have found in Shoe stores and Saddle shops.
Also, remember to routinely tighten your laces. They stretch, and need maintenance, or your glove will begin to feel sloppy. Always store your glove "open", and with a ball or 2 in it. Leaving it closed will "thin it out", making the pocket feel paper thin.
Barry Wilson
Center fielder
Harlem Knights
Usfa/ AFA
1. Ovens are for the impatient. the only reason people bake their gloves, is because they wanna touch it, see it, smell it, and play with it.
2. Over-oiling is never good. the worst thing I have ever done, is over-oil a glove. As a matter of fact, a 230.00$ Nakona. Pay special attention to the middle/ring/and pinkie spots. too much oil here can make the outside of yer pocket too pliable, causing the backside of the pocket to fold-over.It sucks!
3. The whole point of a good breakin, is to stretch the pocket, making it like a damn trap! or as our shortstop calls it. The sinkhole.
FIRST...I love the water method. There are hazards, number one is excellerated dryout. If you water your glove, watch for dryness and cracking later on. Its really not rocket Science. I still have gloves I broke in with water from 15 years ago. OK, they are Dinosaurs, but, they are still in Great condition. When I get a new glove, the first thing I do, is soak it 6-8 hours. saturating the glove fairly well, and giving it some pliability.
Second... Once the glove is pretty "movable", I do everything I can, to beat out the pocket. While it's still wet, I repeatedly throw a ball into the pocket. working out that Sinkhole. A good 10 minute game of catch works even better, just make sure you don't take many "off the tips", as this time is crucial in forming a new glove. if you miss now, yer giving yer glove the OK to let them dink off the tips later. Some people Like to BEAT their glove into Submission. I have never found a glove that enjoyed this, or fared well from it. It might work well with cowboy hats, but please dont run over it with your truck!
Third...Once we have the pocket Semi-worked, its time to get a ball in there. Softballs work best. At this point, the glove should still be wet, and ya wanna apply some oil to help the leather IN THE POCKET flex,and shape. Stuff the ball in,and work the glove around the ball,like yer tryin to push the ball thru the pocket. Folding the Pinkie side in towards the thumb,and giving the ball in the pocket force.I pull,pry,and form untill the glove is nearly dry. Throw an old towel on yer lap, and turn a good show on tv, You could be here awhile.
Fourth...yer glove is drying out. It has Soaked up the tiny bit of oil you applied, and is yelling at you for more! generously rub some into all the laces. Soak the front and Back of the web. Apply a fairly thin layer throughout the entire glove. Stuff that ball back into the pocket, pushing it into the web as hard as you can, and TIE the glove up securely! I mean wrap it with your belt, Saran wrap, rubber bands, whatever!
Last....Let it Sit. Its a new season. and plenty of practices before the season opener, So let it sit. Dont rush yer glove, and it wont let you down! Your glove should NOT be Super soft and squishy. It should be Super flexible, especially at the hinge/web, but not "foldable" in any way. or balls will go right thru it. Especially if you have Short fingers like I do. Nothing worse than Having a ball just fold your glove over and go right by you. Dont Over-oil! Remember, you can always make a glove Softer, but can NEVER make a glove Stiffer!
When i refer to oil,..I mean a quality oil. I have had great results with Nokona's, However, I have never found an oil that's better for gloves, than stuff called Hubbards Boot grease. It is dreamy. You must use it sparingly, like I have stated, but it conditions, and weatherproofs like NO OTHER. Mink oil can produce decent results, as well as some of the leather conditioners I have found in Shoe stores and Saddle shops.
Also, remember to routinely tighten your laces. They stretch, and need maintenance, or your glove will begin to feel sloppy. Always store your glove "open", and with a ball or 2 in it. Leaving it closed will "thin it out", making the pocket feel paper thin.
Barry Wilson
Center fielder
Harlem Knights
Usfa/ AFA
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