Softball, which is considered baseball’s feminine counterpart, is actually a very similar game to the great American pastime.  It is a team sport played on a diamond shaped field and is the same basic game play as baseball, too.  There are only a few minor differences between the two sports.  Mainly, the bases and the fence are closer in softball than in baseball.  Also, the pitches are coming in underhand and from a closer distance, and the ball is larger.  That does not in any way mean that softball is an easier game, because it is in fact just as hard as baseball, despite its name.  This pastime of American culture is a great sport that is played by people of all ages, usually in warmer weather.

Softball is easy to start playing and practicing because all you need is a softball mitt and a ball.  Also, you will need a bat in order to practice swinging and hitting balls.  You only need two people to practice softball, but more will be needed if you want to set up a game because in a game, there are nine players on each team.  Softball mitts and softballs are not that expensive, but a bat can get costly depending on which one you choose.  Generally however, since the game doesn’t require much equipment, it is not that expensive to get started.  You can get a cheap softball mitt and a ball and you’re ready to start playing the game.  As you get better, of course, the cost of your equipment will probably increase as well.

Softball mitts are made of leather and need to be broken in once you get them.  Breaking in a mitt means that you mold the shape of the leather so that the glove feels more comfortable for you on your hand and so that it is easier to close the mitt once you catch the ball.  There are many myths surrounding the breaking in of softball mitts.  Here we will explain the do’s and don’ts of how to correctly break in one of these mitts.  These tips will work for any type of softball mitt, whether it is a softball fielders mitt, a softball catchers mitt, or a softball first base mitt.  The mitts may be a bit different in style, but they all get broken in the same way.

First, here are the proper ways to break in your mitt.  You need to make a pocket to catch the ball in and you need to make the leather soft so it can close easily.  A good way to do that is to place a softball in the mitt with some glove oil and wrap it up for a couple of days.  You can keep it closed with some bungey cord or anything that is strong enough to wrap around the mitt and ball to keep them closed.  This will create a nice deep pocket.

Another way to loosen up the leather is by placing the softball mitt under your mattress when you sleep, because the extra weight on it allows for the leather to become softer.  However, the best way to break in a mitt is by just the constant catching of softballs.  It will feel stiff at first, but the more you use the mitt, the more you will break it in.  You can either do this by having a toss with a friend or by going to a batting cage and catching faster balls out of the machine.  If you decide to go to the cage, remember to wear a helmet!

There are many other myths about how to break in a softball mitt, but these next few are false because they are actually bad for the mitt.  Some people think that if you place softball mitts in water it will loosen up the leather.  This is true, but the water will also ruin the leather, which is not good.  Another famous rumor is to bake the softball mitt in the microwave or oven.  This is definitely not a good idea because it will ruin not only the leather, but also the lacing, aside from being a potential fire hazard.  This can not be reversed, so do not do it.  Finally, the classic story is to run over the new softball mitt with your car.  Running it over does not help break it in no matter how many people tell you that it does.

You are best off just having a catch with your new mitt because you will get the correct pocket you need and it will loosen the leather in the proper way it needs to be loosened up.  The tips that are provided here will work on any position softball mitt, and will also be the same for both softpitch and fastpitch softball mitts.  Remember not to follow some of the myths presented here, because they can ruin your new softball mitt.