Shaping Your Glove
Too often young players become ineffective and inconsistent with
their defensive skills because their glove is stiff and not “shaped”
properly. Dampen a towel and clean all dirt and grime off the front
and back surface of the glove. Dry the glove with another towel and
then make a ball with the towel and place it in the pocket of the
glove in order to train the glove to stay open. Do not let the glove
fold flat or shut. The glove should look like the extension of an
open palm of the glove hand.
Be sure to tighten all the leather string on the glove and keep it
oiled with a quality glove oil or leather conditioner. Oil both
front and back of the glove, but do not over oil, because the glove
may become too flexible and thus lose its shape. Always keep
something big and round in the glove when not using it so it will be
“trained” to stay open when fielding ground balls and fly balls. |
