This is the lead glove designer and maker at Wilson. He had made and designed most of Wilson's best gloves. He had been there basically forever. You may not like the water method, but for those of you who says he doen't know what he is doing are crazy. He has broken in more gloves for Allstars in MLB than you will ever break in a lifetime.
I can’t believe any player little league to the big leagues would allow someone to break there glove in for them. A glove is a personal thing & should be crafted with absolute love. I do understand that some players do have the luxury of time to do that.
People act like water ruins gloves. Does water ruin your skin? Ok yeah if you are an idiot about it. But just use your brain. Dry it off and you're good.
Aso-sama is the ultimate, perfected manifestation of the “baseball dad,” working on a child’s glove to get it ready for the first practice. Thank you for this video.
What i usually do is soften it up with some hot water, then hit it for a bit, to tenderize it. Then you just keep it simple, with some salt and pepper. You then take a normal oven tray, lay down a bed of vegetables, put the glove on top, then fill it up with stock until it just touches the glove. Pop it in a preheated oven at 350 degrees, leave it until golden brown and crispy. Serves 4. Sorry... i could resist making the joke.
Aso didn't break in my glove, but I have a new Rawlings first basemen glove and I used his techniques to break it in and within like 15 min or so I noticed a huge difference.
I did a new Rawlings HOH first baseman's mitt today using Aso's techniques, and it vastly improved the hinge and general ability to close on the ball. It was made game ready. BUT to get that last 10% like you want, I relaced the wrist strap looser and went easy on the square knot tugging there, and man what a difference in ease of closure---like a lobster's claw lol! YMMV
I love how ignoramuses in the comments think they know better than the Japanese baseball glove master craftsman who's been making, designing, and breaking in baseball gloves longer than a lot of us have been alive. But really, keep telling us how you think you know better. Its entertaining.
This technique works really well I appreciate ASO for sharing this great technique I do it to all of my new gloves or even old gloves that need new life!
As a kid we used to put a ball in the glove, then put it under your bed mattress for a week to get the shape. I remember instead of water we would use oil so it didn’t dry out the leather. I guess this way works too. Lol!
It's a great method. But anyone who owns a firearm, should know about ballistol. It's a German natural mix of mineral oil and other natural ingredients, but it works for leathers and especially breaking in gloves. I slather up my glove with ballistol and let it soak in a few days and then start working it. Best method I have ever used.
I have never heard of that before! Nothing I love more than hearing about a new method or tool for breaking in a glove. Hoping to put in some time to research Ballistol!
Do people realize this isn't just a random guy? He's a renowned glove craftsman. I'd be way more apt to listen to him than any of you on this particular topic. No offense. If this method doesn't work, you're probably doing it wrong.
+Jordon Green Yep. It's just funny how people comment like they know more. I shouldn't care. I know these comment sections are always full of morons, but sometimes I have to say something. Not that it does anything either. When you witness enough stupidity though you have to vent a little sometimes, for your own sake. Haha.
Brian Tippets couldn’t agree more!! Don’t you just hate when people make fun of something they know nothing about? Their method is probably something that would destroy a glove
I've noticed there aren't too many comments from a year ago, but I'm sure a ton of people will be looking at this again this year. Thank God baseball is back and covid is (hopefully) on the way out.
@@diegofoster9536 Thank you for the question! Yes, you can certainly use the methods he suggests, but skip the water part. The best way to break in a glove without running the risk of compromising the leather is to just use the glove as much as possible (playing catch, playing in games, etc...). As well, you can supplement that use by using Aso's mallet methods that he demonstrates in this video.
I've used this basically method on my A2000 and HOH's way back in the 1970's. I did add a little mink oil to the still damp glove so when the water drys the oil take care of any "drying" issues. Remember, you only do this process once then it's play catch with it until it finally gets to be exactly how you like it. Wonder if anyone knows if Wilson for their A2000's and Rawlings HOH's use the same kind of leather and "stuffing" as they did in the 70's ?
I just broke in a $150 15" Miken Softball Glove this way... worked amazing and definitely got the glove started the right way towards a property break in. Love this guy, wish he had a TH-cam channel of him just breaking in gloves :-)
People are complaining about this method but this guy is the founder of Wilson!! He knows what he’s doing. You guys that it didn’t work for obviously did it wrong
He is showing the best way to break in a glove more quickly than traditional methods. Keep in mind that he is breaking gloves for professionals that are getting gloves for free and don't need to worry about longevity. These are great gloves, that if they get broken in with oil and taken care of, they will last decades. It all depends on your priority. Regardless of method, play lots of catch, preferable hard throwing or pitching, and the glove with work itself out over time. The best results come with patience.
I have an older glove that i use when i occasionally play outfield. I way over oiled it a long time ago and its heavy. Any way to reverse this and get some of that oil out?????
I used this method for 3 gloves now (Wilson, Rawlings, And Louisville Slugger) And they all broke in perfectly. Only one that looked weird though was the Rawlings Heart of the Hide glove. There were some small ripples on the finger side on the top of the glove. But nothing to freak out about. The pockets and flexibility was awesome
@Nathaniel Jordan I got my son a Rawlings that is red white and navy. After wetting and hitting it with a mallet though the blue dyes stained the white leather strings. That kinda sucks but I guess it's all part of the experience.
I’ll have to try this out, usually i put a ball in the pocket, wrap it up tight like a burrito and leave it in the car for a few days in the summer time, gets hot as an oven in there and when i pull it out it perfect for me, add a little leather conditioner and there we go
There are many methods but to get a glove as close to game ready as possible, hot steam or hot water really helps on premium leather gloves. Mizuno use to break them in for us on the spot like that in Spring Training if requested. I've seen some crazy methods but this is pretty good.
Steaming is temporary. Especially on the spot steaming. By the time you get down the road, the glove is itching back to the stiff status from when you bought it 30 min prior.
First let's clear some stuff up... This guy breaks in gloves for professional players.. These professional players go through 2-3 gloves a season... So they need gloves that break in fast. For us common people we do not get gloves for free so we prefer them to last as long as possible. This method breaks in gloves as fast as possible but will in fact shorten the life of the glove. For the longevity of the glove play some catch and use a little oil when necessary. (Don't over oil as this will damage the glove as well.) If you need a quick break in then this is the best way to do it.
+Tyler Gross True. You can use his method on spots where you need your glove to break in quickly (like the heel) and skip it everywhere else for more longevity.
In short, yes. A glove is really only as good as its break-in. Steaming or watering a glove simply rehydrates the leather which allows us to break up it's "fastened" form. The one caveat and thing to be cognizant of is the integrity of the laces...
I forgot to mention, wrap the glove with one ball in the web and one in the palm. If it's softball that you'r playing, put a softball in the web and a baseball in the palm. Once it's dry, ask for some help in tying down the wrist laces. Put the glove on, pull them tight and have the other person tie it down. This part is crucial. We've all had a ball beamed at us and felt the glove twist. No fun but at least you can look down and blame the glove 🤬 P.S. that's a good lookin pup you got there.
I know he is the master, but I am so anxious that he is going to crush a thumb or finger during the video. Haha. Love the video and will try this on a new glove this weekend.
Thanks for the message! No, it shouldn't damage the glove if you added a small amount of conditioner to the glove already. I think you'll still be good to do the hot water method if you wish!
Just found this video today to help with softball girls who got new gloves for their season which started Monday so definitely going to be using this method so I can get my glove back lol
Perfect. I have been breaking in gloves my entire life, and he is dead on with this method. I would only follow it up with a very heavy oiling with neatsfoot oil. Rub the oil on and into the glove, don't soak glove in the oil.
I definitely think I used too much water, it was still so wet the next day. So I filled the pocket with balled up paper, forced my hand into it and put the band around it. It feels like it's molding itself to the shape of my hand. Leather websites say dry leather in open air, but not direct sunlight or near a heat source. Most importantly don't make my mistake. Note that Mr. Aso uses a cup to pour water on his glove. He only actually dips it in the bucket once. I only dipped my glove 3 times, I didn't use a cup, but also, I didn't soak it. But leather is VERY pourus, and by the time I was done, it was like a sponge. But I'm happy with how it seems to be coming out, glad I don't have to wait a week. I'll probably follow up with some traditional traditional baseball glove conditioner, and more beatings (!) once it's dry.
We appreciate the detailed chronicling of your experience. Sounds like you kinda went more with the dip method. That method is actually becoming popular with players. Check out a video explaining the proper way to dip a glove: th-cam.com/video/FUOeqaLxF8I/w-d-xo.html
I wonder what the pad is like he has underneath. Like, how soft is it? Anyone know? Like wrestling mat soft or more firm like a rubber mat like you’d use at a hitting station?
Kinda crazy to think that this is my childhood friends dad. Never really knew how famous he is. Kinda just got me some Wilson products anytime I would go over to my friends house.
I've used a few different methods over the years and I can say that if you have a glove that's being a little stubborn this method works, that being said it's all about glove quality and quality of material, if you buy a cheap glove your glove will be made from very low quality hide or synthetic material. generally the more expensive the glove the better the material.
Aso does not seem to worry about glove color when doing the water-method for breaking in gloves. That being said, I would not recommend doing this method unless you feel extremely confident in your ability to not damage the glove.
It may have been asked and I apologize, but do you condition the glove first and then water and then pound the heck out of it? We got the girls 2 A2000 for Xmas and in need to break them in ASAP
Thanks for the message. Aso doesn't use oil or conditioner when doing his hot water method for break-in. Aso is the expert so we think that if you skipped adding conditioner after a hot water treatment, that would be fine. However, we don't think it would be detrimental to add as small amount of conditioner as possible to the glove after doing the hot water treatment. There is a belief out there that as the water evaporates from the glove the conditioner will fill in within the leather where the water was and this ensures that the fibers of the leather will remain conditioned and won't dry out easily.
I know people are really skeptical about the water treatment, but I promise if you do it exactly like he says it WILL NOT damage the leather. It is important to note that you shouldn't do this more than once as it could weigh down the glove when done too often.
Do you need to use both mallets? Or can I just buy the ball mallet? Did he mention anything about putting oil on the mitt after? I have a new a2000 that definitely needs to be broken in.
Thanks for the questions. If you plan on using a mallet to break in a glove, there is no 100% accurate and undisputed method to use. You can use 1 or 2 mallets. Whichever you prefer! From watching a few videos of Aso breaking in gloves and then also speaking with a member of the glove team at Wilson, I don't believe that Wilson recommends adding oil on a glove until the leather truly begins to show signs of drying out.
Thanks for the question. You don't have to have one of the shaping pads that Aso uses in this video. The pad is helpful because it allows the glove to rub up against a soft surface during the break-in and it protects the surface under the pad. I would recommend just getting a few older towels if you don't have a shaping pad. The towels should protect both the glove and the surface under the towels!
I believe that is a glove pounding pad. Mizuno makes a pretty solid one. You can check it out here: www.mizunousa.com/us/product/baseball-ball-glove-pounding-pad/370128
Do you also use any type of leather conditioner? The water seems to bead when you pour it onto the mitt. I’ve used this method for 2 of my sons gloves successfully. I just purchased an A800 for him,I’ll be using this method as soon as it comes in. What about Nokona glove conditioner? Yes/No? I appreciate any opinions You wanna leave
We don't recommend using any condition while breaking in the glove. However, we do recommend using conditioner every now and then once the glove has been used. Please let us know if you have any questions!
Hi, Matt, at this point I would just keep working the glove on your own. You're almost to the point of full break-in so I would hate for your glove to get damaged.
Thanks for the comment! As far as the use of the hot water, everything is shown in this video. However, for pounding the glove after using the hot water, I would recommend setting aside 15-20 minutes to work glove using the methods he shows for a couple to a few mins each. To answer directly, you are seeing a shortened version of the entire process.
Some people say just use a microwave Or try that run it through hot water technique Well, they can gloat about the time they saved 'Til they gotta buy another glove next week
Is it bad if I try and get my a2000 to be loose? I have the CC1 model and the ball pops out of the glove sometimes and I think it's because it's not broken in all the way but I'm not sure never owned an a2000 before
That's not bad at all. Breaking in a glove ultimately comes down to what feels most comfortable for you. You can check out our tips and tricks for how to properly break in a glove here: www.justballgloves.com/glove-resource-guide/breaking-in-a-glove/
Thanks for the question. So with Aso's method, you don't really dry off the glove yourself. The water that is absorbed into the glove will eventually evaporate out of the glove. If you had concern about the method, we would probably recommend avoiding this method and performing more of a traditional break in process (catch, hitting glove with a mallet, adding a small amount of glove oil to soften up the leather, etc...) Let us know if you have more questions!
I’m glad I found this for my son when he starts playing lol. My grandpa and me used some type of warm oil and stretched it out and smash it then had something heavy on it over night. It turned out awesome. But this way seems better
Thank you for the comment! Glad to hear that you enjoyed the video. Breaking in a glove is a great experience to share with your son or daughter! Let us know if you need any assistance!
First thing i thought was.... damn he's putting water on the glove.... then i remembered all the hundreds of baseball games i played in the rain with my glove on... haha
Option A (genius) 1. Go to a sink 2. Twist handle that has a "H" 3. Fill bucket Option B (little bit stupid) 1. Get water 2. Turn on stove 3. Heat water Option C 1. Think about your stupidity 1a. Think about the fact that you are so dumb, you don't know how to get hot water 2. Do options A or B
Thanks for the message. If you have apprehension about doing the hot water treatment, we would always advice against it. No matter the color of the glove. The way it looks after the hot water treatment, will always be slightly different than before you started the treatment.
If u want to use the water treatment go to Dick's sporting goods its about $25 they put it in a steam box for 10-15 min and beat it with a mallet. I've done this every time with my gloves and works great.
Unfortunately, the all black glove that Aso has in this video is discontinued. But, you can shop all the Wilson A2000 SuperSkin gloves with free shipping every day at: www.justballgloves.com/products/series~a2000%20superskin/
Heat up more water and just put the glove in the bucket for a few seconds. I also turn the glove inside out which makes it easier to pound the gloves inside as well as stretching the glove at the same time. Glove master?
In Japan, they use this method. But they fill the bucket in hot water and completely submerge the glove. With a similar process afterwards. But the real way to do it, is submerge the glove in hot water for 10 secs.
Thanks for the comment! We have heard about submerging the glove as well. We have found that if a method gets a glove broken in, you make plays with it and your satisfied with the amount of time that spanned before it wears down...then you broke it in correctly!
QUESTION: this one is for all the Wilson glove collectors... what is the best way to store a glove while it is not in use? i have heard that anything from 12" and under is best to keep it standing on its thumb and pinky opened with no baseball's inside so that it may keep a nice open bowl shaped stance and anything from 12.25 and up, it is best to.. some say keep multiple baseball's inside, some say only one baseball inside, some say a softball inside, some say wrap a belt or rubber band around it. Are these things so ? if so.. what about for catchers and first base mitts ? please help...
Thanks for the message. We don't have exact same baseball glove mallet as Aso uses in the video, but here is one that we offer at JustGloves: www.justballgloves.com/product/justballgloves-wooden-mallet-for-breaking-in-glove/30788/
This break-in method could be used for just about any high quality baseball glove out there (To answer directly, yes, you could use it for a 44 brand glove). However, make certain you are 100% following the steps Aso spells out in the video. We would hate to have you ruin a brand new glove!
This method could certainly be used on a Mizuno glove with effectiveness. However, always be sure to use the utmost care when using this hot water method. We would be sad to hear if it went south for you and ended up ruining a glove. Let us know if you have questions!
Thank you for the question. I believe it is the Wilson A2000 SuperSkin Series (A2000BBSS1786). This glove was made in the 1786 style by Wilson. The 1786 style gloves are 11.5" length. They have an I-Web and a two double-laced Xs at the web base. Usually, this design promotes a shallower pocket that allows for quick transfers! Great infielder glove!
This is the lead glove designer and maker at Wilson. He had made and designed most of Wilson's best gloves. He had been there basically forever. You may not like the water method, but for those of you who says he doen't know what he is doing are crazy. He has broken in more gloves for Allstars in MLB than you will ever break in a lifetime.
Ghjklpoiuy bet
Probably has broken in more gloves than all the people on this comment thread combined have broken in over there lives.
If one doubts that this man is proficient at what he is explaining, simply watch the muscles in his left forearm while he talks.
Excellent tutorial! Recommend
This guy breaks in pretty much all major league players gloves, I think he knows what he is doing!
Raymond Hamby absolutely!!!
Raymond Hamby But if he's in the market for some professional advice, he needs to listen to Dear Evan Hansen
I can’t believe any player little league to the big leagues would allow someone to break there glove in for them. A glove is a personal thing & should be crafted with absolute love. I do understand that some players do have the luxury of time to do that.
You don’t put water on gloves tho
Mark Kleffner Because in the big leagues they get gloves every month or two so sometimes they don’t have time to break in there own glove
He does it the hard way because it's the right way 😉. Keep the grit and follow through
But no rubber bands, mattress, or shaving cream?
TheApoke lol this is amazing
@@TheApoke those are all the worst ways to break in gloves
@@user-tl2ep9nd2o not really
@@chickennugget0589 yes really it will loose its form so fucking fast it wont be funny
Did this break in method step by step yesterday on my A2000, worked great! No damage to leather
People act like water ruins gloves. Does water ruin your skin? Ok yeah if you are an idiot about it. But just use your brain. Dry it off and you're good.
Did the water damage anything?
@@leilaniahmu7208 Water will only damage the glove if you don't dry it.
I have enjoyed watching this man savagely beat a piece of leather with a mallet.
Lmao
Satisfying
Well said : O)
Aso-sama is the ultimate, perfected manifestation of the “baseball dad,” working on a child’s glove to get it ready for the first practice. Thank you for this video.
Connor was really lucky to have a dad who cared so much about taking care of stuff
Shaving cream, rubber bands, repeat.
@@wepeea7181 don't forget the mattress!
What i usually do is soften it up with some hot water, then hit it for a bit, to tenderize it. Then you just keep it simple, with some salt and pepper. You then take a normal oven tray, lay down a bed of vegetables, put the glove on top, then fill it up with stock until it just touches the glove. Pop it in a preheated oven at 350 degrees, leave it until golden brown and crispy. Serves 4.
Sorry... i could resist making the joke.
Salt and Pepper is key!
Yummm!
This is awesome, made my day
AAAAAHHAHAHAHAHA! You have me laughing out loud.... awesome!
I wonder how many people didn't see the joke part and thought... yeah, that sounds legit... lol
Aso didn't break in my glove, but I have a new Rawlings first basemen glove and I used his techniques to break it in and within like 15 min or so I noticed a huge difference.
I did a new Rawlings HOH first baseman's mitt today using Aso's techniques, and it vastly improved the hinge and general ability to close on the ball. It was made game ready. BUT to get that last 10% like you want, I relaced the wrist strap looser and went easy on the square knot tugging there, and man what a difference in ease of closure---like a lobster's claw lol! YMMV
Best glove break in video ever. I have broken in 4 gloves with this method and they all are great for baseball. Thank you for this video!!!
Love to hear that! Let us know if you have any questions in the future!
This is literally 4 mins of great info that really helps.
I love how ignoramuses in the comments think they know better than the Japanese baseball glove master craftsman who's been making, designing, and breaking in baseball gloves longer than a lot of us have been alive. But really, keep telling us how you think you know better. Its entertaining.
I agree!
Right on Brother! More than one way to skin a cat.
Aso San is Riley amazing, I respect what he does.
Truly
Ignoramuses. I just learned I new word. Thanks
Jeez,where was TH-cam 20years ago when I was tying my glove with a ball in side and throwing it under my mattress for a week???
Haha same
Did it work?
@@mandarian87 yes but a slower process
Was there shaving cream involved?
That never did ...nothing for me. Never felt like I ever broke a glove in all the way.
This technique works really well I appreciate ASO for sharing this great technique I do it to all of my new gloves or even old gloves that need new life!
When are you gonna post again
As a kid we used to put a ball in the glove, then put it under your bed mattress for a week to get the shape. I remember instead of water we would use oil so it didn’t dry out the leather. I guess this way works too. Lol!
This is expert advice that transcends old school myths. Thank you Shigeaki Aso!
It's a great method. But anyone who owns a firearm, should know about ballistol. It's a German natural mix of mineral oil and other natural ingredients, but it works for leathers and especially breaking in gloves. I slather up my glove with ballistol and let it soak in a few days and then start working it. Best method I have ever used.
I have never heard of that before! Nothing I love more than hearing about a new method or tool for breaking in a glove. Hoping to put in some time to research Ballistol!
Do people realize this isn't just a random guy? He's a renowned glove craftsman. I'd be way more apt to listen to him than any of you on this particular topic. No offense. If this method doesn't work, you're probably doing it wrong.
Yeah he breaks in gloves for the pros, he knows what he's doing
+Jordon Green Yep. It's just funny how people comment like they know more. I shouldn't care. I know these comment sections are always full of morons, but sometimes I have to say something. Not that it does anything either. When you witness enough stupidity though you have to vent a little sometimes, for your own sake. Haha.
Exactly
Brian Tippets couldn’t agree more!! Don’t you just hate when people make fun of something they know nothing about? Their method is probably something that would destroy a glove
He makes gloves for WILSON BASEBALL
I've always liked using glove oil it does take way longer to brake in but with light brown leather on gloves it makes it a nice dark tone
This beat off method was helpful in other parts of my life....
I've noticed there aren't too many comments from a year ago, but I'm sure a ton of people will be looking at this again this year. Thank God baseball is back and covid is (hopefully) on the way out.
Thank you for the comment! Yes, we hope that COVID is on the way out as well!
@@JustGloves hey so I idk if I want to do this with water but can I do it without the water
@@diegofoster9536 Thank you for the question! Yes, you can certainly use the methods he suggests, but skip the water part.
The best way to break in a glove without running the risk of compromising the leather is to just use the glove as much as possible (playing catch, playing in games, etc...). As well, you can supplement that use by using Aso's mallet methods that he demonstrates in this video.
I've used this basically method on my A2000 and HOH's way back in the 1970's. I did add a little mink oil to the still damp glove so when the water drys the oil take care of any "drying" issues. Remember, you only do this process once then it's play catch with it until it finally gets to be exactly how you like it.
Wonder if anyone knows if Wilson for their A2000's and Rawlings HOH's use the same kind of leather and "stuffing" as they did in the 70's ?
I just broke in a $150 15" Miken Softball Glove this way... worked amazing and definitely got the glove started the right way towards a property break in. Love this guy, wish he had a TH-cam channel of him just breaking in gloves :-)
I like how people r saying how water is not good or don't want to do it when the guy who makes the glove does it
guy who make car don’t fix car
2 years later, you still an idiot?@anarchyseeds4406
People are complaining about this method but this guy is the founder of Wilson!! He knows what he’s doing. You guys that it didn’t work for obviously did it wrong
pretty sure wilson founded wilson
He is showing the best way to break in a glove more quickly than traditional methods. Keep in mind that he is breaking gloves for professionals that are getting gloves for free and don't need to worry about longevity. These are great gloves, that if they get broken in with oil and taken care of, they will last decades. It all depends on your priority. Regardless of method, play lots of catch, preferable hard throwing or pitching, and the glove with work itself out over time. The best results come with patience.
This is the recommended method by Wilson. They recommend this for anyone who is amateur or pro. No steam or heat treatments allowed.
as if this method will make them fall apart. they're not made of tissue paper
Anyone know what that club thing with the round end is called and where I can find one?
It takes a little patience
It takes a little time
A little perseverance
And a little uphill climb
Yassssss
ITS THE HARD WAY BUT ITS THE RIGHT WAYYY
YOU MIGHT NOT THINK IT'S WORTH IT
YOU MIGHT BEGIN TO DOUBT
BUT YOU CAN'T TAKE ANY SHORTCUTS
@@kaotics9391 YOU GOTTA STICK IT OUT!
@@DannieRaye1386 AND IT'S THE HARD WAY
BUT IT'S THE RIIIGHT WAAYY
THE RIIIGHT WAAAYY
I have an older glove that i use when i occasionally play outfield. I way over oiled it a long time ago and its heavy. Any way to reverse this and get some of that oil out?????
no, use saddle soap next time
I used this method for 3 gloves now (Wilson, Rawlings, And Louisville Slugger) And they all broke in perfectly.
Only one that looked weird though was the Rawlings Heart of the Hide glove. There were some small ripples on the finger side on the top of the glove. But nothing to freak out about. The pockets and flexibility was awesome
@Nathaniel Jordan I got my son a Rawlings that is red white and navy. After wetting and hitting it with a mallet though the blue dyes stained the white leather strings. That kinda sucks but I guess it's all part of the experience.
I am about to do my sons for the season, same brand. How long did you work the mitt? Did you need to repeat using the hot water during the process?
I’ll have to try this out, usually i put a ball in the pocket, wrap it up tight like a burrito and leave it in the car for a few days in the summer time, gets hot as an oven in there and when i pull it out it perfect for me, add a little leather conditioner and there we go
Genius!!!
There are many methods but to get a glove as close to game ready as possible, hot steam or hot water really helps on premium leather gloves. Mizuno use to break them in for us on the spot like that in Spring Training if requested. I've seen some crazy methods but this is pretty good.
Steaming is temporary. Especially on the spot steaming. By the time you get down the road, the glove is itching back to the stiff status from when you bought it 30 min prior.
Steaming or ovens will void the warranty - it's explicitly stated on Wilson's gloves. Further, Wilson explicitly recommends exactly this method.
First let's clear some stuff up... This guy breaks in gloves for professional players.. These professional players go through 2-3 gloves a season... So they need gloves that break in fast. For us common people we do not get gloves for free so we prefer them to last as long as possible. This method breaks in gloves as fast as possible but will in fact shorten the life of the glove. For the longevity of the glove play some catch and use a little oil when necessary. (Don't over oil as this will damage the glove as well.)
If you need a quick break in then this is the best way to do it.
+Tyler Gross True. You can use his method on spots where you need your glove to break in quickly (like the heel) and skip it everywhere else for more longevity.
They don’t go thru 2-3 gloves a season. Most have a fully broken in gamer and a practice glove they’re in the process of breaking in.
@@migs6455 This is correct. Usually last years gamer is this years backup.
Dan Mendro i think kershaw uses a gamer that about 10 years old
Does anybody know if you can do the water treatment twice?
In short, yes. A glove is really only as good as its break-in. Steaming or watering a glove simply rehydrates the leather which allows us to break up it's "fastened" form. The one caveat and thing to be cognizant of is the integrity of the laces...
I forgot to mention, wrap the glove with one ball in the web and one in the palm. If it's softball that you'r playing, put a softball in the web and a baseball in the palm. Once it's dry, ask for some help in tying down the wrist laces. Put the glove on, pull them tight and have the other person tie it down. This part is crucial. We've all had a ball beamed at us and felt the glove twist. No fun but at least you can look down and blame the glove 🤬
P.S. that's a good lookin pup you got there.
I know he is the master, but I am so anxious that he is going to crush a thumb or finger during the video. Haha. Love the video and will try this on a new glove this weekend.
Thanks for the comment. Let us know if you have any questions in the future.
New to this. I’ve already added conditioner (very small amount to the palm). If I do the water method would that cause any damage?
Thanks for the message! No, it shouldn't damage the glove if you added a small amount of conditioner to the glove already. I think you'll still be good to do the hot water method if you wish!
It’s the hard way but it’s the right way
I was looking for this
Just found this video today to help with softball girls who got new gloves for their season which started Monday so definitely going to be using this method so I can get my glove back lol
Hah! Sounds good. Just make sure you are very careful when using the hot water method!
I love this guy and even though I just spent on a custom glove, I want one signed by him!
A Wilson glove with an Aso signature would be an awesome thing to own! Aso is the man!
Perfect. I have been breaking in gloves my entire life, and he is dead on with this method. I would only follow it up with a very heavy oiling with neatsfoot oil. Rub the oil on and into the glove, don't soak glove in the oil.
***** he says in the video 150-160 degrees
***** 150 fahrenheit
JediFight why the oil
Don't use oil, it'll make the glove heavy. Use saddle soap.
Lexoil
I definitely think I used too much water, it was still so wet the next day. So I filled the pocket with balled up paper, forced my hand into it and put the band around it. It feels like it's molding itself to the shape of my hand. Leather websites say dry leather in open air, but not direct sunlight or near a heat source. Most importantly don't make my mistake. Note that Mr. Aso uses a cup to pour water on his glove. He only actually dips it in the bucket once. I only dipped my glove 3 times, I didn't use a cup, but also, I didn't soak it. But leather is VERY pourus, and by the time I was done, it was like a sponge. But I'm happy with how it seems to be coming out, glad I don't have to wait a week. I'll probably follow up with some traditional traditional baseball glove conditioner, and more beatings (!) once it's dry.
We appreciate the detailed chronicling of your experience. Sounds like you kinda went more with the dip method. That method is actually becoming popular with players. Check out a video explaining the proper way to dip a glove:
th-cam.com/video/FUOeqaLxF8I/w-d-xo.html
I wonder what the pad is like he has underneath. Like, how soft is it? Anyone know? Like wrestling mat soft or more firm like a rubber mat like you’d use at a hitting station?
How do I find that mallet he uses late in the video?
Thanks for the message! I'd recommend checking out Walden Glove for a more "club-type" mallet: www.waldenglove.com/products/original-glove-mallet
Kinda crazy to think that this is my childhood friends dad. Never really knew how famous he is. Kinda just got me some Wilson products anytime I would go over to my friends house.
Cap
Is there any things that should be done differently when breaking in a softball glove? 10u softball
THANK U. ASO
I've used a few different methods over the years and I can say that if you have a glove that's being a little stubborn this method works, that being said it's all about glove quality and quality of material, if you buy a cheap glove your glove will be made from very low quality hide or synthetic material. generally the more expensive the glove the better the material.
Does this work for all gloves or just all-leather gloves?
That was nice of Jose Altuve to let Mr Aso borrow his bat.
Is the water okay on all colors of gloves? Like what about blonde leather
Aso does not seem to worry about glove color when doing the water-method for breaking in gloves. That being said, I would not recommend doing this method unless you feel extremely confident in your ability to not damage the glove.
It may have been asked and I apologize, but do you condition the glove first and then water and then pound the heck out of it? We got the girls 2 A2000 for Xmas and in need to break them in ASAP
Thanks for the message. Aso doesn't use oil or conditioner when doing his hot water method for break-in. Aso is the expert so we think that if you skipped adding conditioner after a hot water treatment, that would be fine. However, we don't think it would be detrimental to add as small amount of conditioner as possible to the glove after doing the hot water treatment. There is a belief out there that as the water evaporates from the glove the conditioner will fill in within the leather where the water was and this ensures that the fibers of the leather will remain conditioned and won't dry out easily.
satisfying to watch
1.1 million views 😱 I’ve got to make a new how to break in a glove video!
Thank you for sharing this info! Great video.
I know people are really skeptical about the water treatment, but I promise if you do it exactly like he says it WILL NOT damage the leather. It is important to note that you shouldn't do this more than once as it could weigh down the glove when done too often.
Okay so I did this with my hoh catchers mitt and after two days its still heavy and wet. Will the heaviness go away once it dries? What should I do?
It is probably because of the amount of padding it has
Did it dry yet?
Zach Woods Did it dry yet?
Yes its all good hector cabrera
And its the harrrd way but its the right way
im glad
The right waaaaaaayyyyy
*to break in a glove*
Do you need to use both mallets? Or can I just buy the ball mallet? Did he mention anything about putting oil on the mitt after? I have a new a2000 that definitely needs to be broken in.
Thanks for the questions.
If you plan on using a mallet to break in a glove, there is no 100% accurate and undisputed method to use. You can use 1 or 2 mallets. Whichever you prefer!
From watching a few videos of Aso breaking in gloves and then also speaking with a member of the glove team at Wilson, I don't believe that Wilson recommends adding oil on a glove until the leather truly begins to show signs of drying out.
@@JustGloves thanks
Does anyone know if u can do it like on a table or on a hard surface because I don’t have anything for that
Thanks for the question. You don't have to have one of the shaping pads that Aso uses in this video. The pad is helpful because it allows the glove to rub up against a soft surface during the break-in and it protects the surface under the pad.
I would recommend just getting a few older towels if you don't have a shaping pad. The towels should protect both the glove and the surface under the towels!
@@JustGloves thanks so much
What kinda pad is he doing that on where can I get this
I believe that is a glove pounding pad. Mizuno makes a pretty solid one. You can check it out here: www.mizunousa.com/us/product/baseball-ball-glove-pounding-pad/370128
Thank you glove master, Great video!
Some people say just use a microwave, or try the "run it through hot water technique "
Tbh this is the only reason I clicked on this video
They can brag about all the time they saved until they gotta buy another one next week.
Mike & Danielle Lawson It takes a little patience it takes a little time
It’s the hard way, but it’s the right way,
The right way... to break in a glove
Do you also use any type of leather conditioner? The water seems to bead when you pour it onto the mitt. I’ve used this method for 2 of my sons gloves successfully. I just purchased an A800 for him,I’ll be using this method as soon as it comes in. What about Nokona glove conditioner? Yes/No? I appreciate any opinions You wanna leave
We don't recommend using any condition while breaking in the glove. However, we do recommend using conditioner every now and then once the glove has been used. Please let us know if you have any questions!
after pounding a black glove my mizuno mallet is stained dark so if I pound a blonde or camel glove its gonna turn dark. is there anyway around that?
this guy rocks!
I have an A2K that i used for 1 season but its about 75% broken in. Can I still do the hot water method even with a used glove.
Hi, Matt, at this point I would just keep working the glove on your own. You're almost to the point of full break-in so I would hate for your glove to get damaged.
How long does he do this per glove? Are we seeing the entire process or just a small part of it?
Thanks for the comment! As far as the use of the hot water, everything is shown in this video. However, for pounding the glove after using the hot water, I would recommend setting aside 15-20 minutes to work glove using the methods he shows for a couple to a few mins each.
To answer directly, you are seeing a shortened version of the entire process.
Some people say just use a microwave
Or try that run it through hot water technique
Well, they can gloat about the time they saved
'Til they gotta buy another glove next week
It's the hard way but it's the right way
Any ball player would pay this guy to break in a new glove. He does in 4 minutes, takes me a week of non stop catch
Is it bad if I try and get my a2000 to be loose? I have the CC1 model and the ball pops out of the glove sometimes and I think it's because it's not broken in all the way but I'm not sure never owned an a2000 before
That's not bad at all. Breaking in a glove ultimately comes down to what feels most comfortable for you. You can check out our tips and tricks for how to properly break in a glove here: www.justballgloves.com/glove-resource-guide/breaking-in-a-glove/
JustBallGloves Thank you for the feedback!
How do you dry the glove off after
Thanks for the question. So with Aso's method, you don't really dry off the glove yourself. The water that is absorbed into the glove will eventually evaporate out of the glove.
If you had concern about the method, we would probably recommend avoiding this method and performing more of a traditional break in process (catch, hitting glove with a mallet, adding a small amount of glove oil to soften up the leather, etc...)
Let us know if you have more questions!
THANKS A LOT
You're welcome! Please let us know if there is anything else that we may do to help. Have a great day!
I’m glad I found this for my son when he starts playing lol. My grandpa and me used some type of warm oil and stretched it out and smash it then had something heavy on it over night. It turned out awesome. But this way seems better
Thank you for the comment! Glad to hear that you enjoyed the video. Breaking in a glove is a great experience to share with your son or daughter! Let us know if you need any assistance!
should glove oil be applied eventually for extra loosness?
Not for looseness but to keep your glove in prime condition and for it to last longer
Do all your gloves have asos signature
First thing i thought was.... damn he's putting water on the glove.... then i remembered all the hundreds of baseball games i played in the rain with my glove on... haha
What if your glove has some soft fur or somethinf soft in it that feels like fur?
How do you get the hot water?
1) Go to sink.
2) Turn on hot water.
3) Place bucket under water.
4) Fill up.
+Ben Wilcox amazing!
Ben Wilcox 😂😂😂
Option A (genius)
1. Go to a sink
2. Twist handle that has a "H"
3. Fill bucket
Option B (little bit stupid)
1. Get water
2. Turn on stove
3. Heat water
Option C
1. Think about your stupidity
1a. Think about the fact that you are so dumb, you don't know how to get hot water
2. Do options A or B
xTrials good question the water in your house doesn't go to 160
I’m scared to do the hot water treatment bc I don’t want it to ruin the colour on my glove (I just got the heart of the hide ice 204 pattern)
Thanks for the message. If you have apprehension about doing the hot water treatment, we would always advice against it. No matter the color of the glove. The way it looks after the hot water treatment, will always be slightly different than before you started the treatment.
Hey I broke in my glove wrong and what do I do to fix it if I can
Thank you very helpful
If u want to use the water treatment go to Dick's sporting goods its about $25 they put it in a steam box for 10-15 min and beat it with a mallet. I've done this every time with my gloves and works great.
Very good video thank you.
How much or where can i get that glove the man is holding? @JustBallGloves
Unfortunately, the all black glove that Aso has in this video is discontinued. But, you can shop all the Wilson A2000 SuperSkin gloves with free shipping every day at: www.justballgloves.com/products/series~a2000%20superskin/
Heat up more water and just put the glove in the bucket for a few seconds. I also turn the glove inside out which makes it easier to pound the gloves inside as well as stretching the glove at the same time. Glove master?
In Japan, they use this method. But they fill the bucket in hot water and completely submerge the glove. With a similar process afterwards. But the real way to do it, is submerge the glove in hot water for 10 secs.
Thanks for the comment! We have heard about submerging the glove as well. We have found that if a method gets a glove broken in, you make plays with it and your satisfied with the amount of time that spanned before it wears down...then you broke it in correctly!
I know I am a late comer . I just read some of the comments thank you for sharing.
Glad that this video could help you out! Let us know if you have questions!
As Bob Ross would say, "beat the devil out of it " I'm used to putting oil in the glove, put a ball in the pocket, and bind it for a period
Where do you get the big mallet from
James Muscat A sporting goods store.
your mom
QUESTION: this one is for all the Wilson glove collectors... what is the best way to store a glove while it is not in use? i have heard that anything from 12" and under is best to keep it standing on its thumb and pinky opened with no baseball's inside so that it may keep a nice open bowl shaped stance and anything from 12.25 and up, it is best to.. some say keep multiple baseball's inside, some say only one baseball inside, some say a softball inside, some say wrap a belt or rubber band around it. Are these things so ? if so.. what about for catchers and first base mitts ?
please help...
Great Video. Aso is a craftsman!
where do you get one of those clubs?
Thanks for the message. We don't have exact same baseball glove mallet as Aso uses in the video, but here is one that we offer at JustGloves: www.justballgloves.com/product/justballgloves-wooden-mallet-for-breaking-in-glove/30788/
What glove did he have. I haven’t seen a all black a2000
Skulz Storm I have 5 all black A2000’s. It’s common.
Does this work for 44 pro gloves too
This break-in method could be used for just about any high quality baseball glove out there (To answer directly, yes, you could use it for a 44 brand glove). However, make certain you are 100% following the steps Aso spells out in the video. We would hate to have you ruin a brand new glove!
Is there a version of this video without the music?
Unfortunately, we don't have a version of the video without the music. Sorry about that!
@@JustGloves no biggie!
is this good for mizuno gloves
This method could certainly be used on a Mizuno glove with effectiveness.
However, always be sure to use the utmost care when using this hot water method. We would be sad to hear if it went south for you and ended up ruining a glove. Let us know if you have questions!
What model is the glove in the video?
Thank you for the question. I believe it is the Wilson A2000 SuperSkin Series (A2000BBSS1786). This glove was made in the 1786 style by Wilson. The 1786 style gloves are 11.5" length. They have an I-Web and a two double-laced Xs at the web base. Usually, this design promotes a shallower pocket that allows for quick transfers! Great infielder glove!
Where are all these comments saying that this guy doesn't know what he's doing? Chill dudes. Why do people love getting mad? Chill
itstime toparty swear im looking for the hate comments but can’t find any
That’s what I’m saying😂😂
Do I have to condition my glove after I do the hot water method?
Ha
Yah