Busting the Biggest Glove Break-In Myths (And Saving Your Mitt From a Tragic End)

Listen up, ballplayers. You spend good money on a glove, and yet, somehow, every season, I hear someone suggest one of these disaster-class break-in methods. Let’s just clear the air—if you’re still getting glove advice from a guy who “swears by” peeing on his mitt, it’s time for a new friend group. Now go wash your hands and get ready to get schooled. 

Let’s break down these myths one by one and show why Webgems from No Errors is the actual way to shape and break in your glove—without destroying it or having to find a new team in the process.

1. Bake Your Glove in an Oven

Why this will ruin your glove...

Unless you’re making a leather casserole, keep your mitt out of the oven. Baking your glove might make it soft temporarily, but in reality, it’s just cooking out all the natural oils, leaving you with a stiff, cracked, and brittle hunk of sadness. Leather needs moisture—not a 350-degree roast. Stick to Webgems, which actually maintains your glove’s shape without turning it into beef jerky.

2. Put Your Mitt in the Microwave

Why this will ruin your glove...

Ah yes, the ol’ 30-second break-in. Sounds quick and easy, right? Well, if you enjoy your glove coming out half-melted, stiff in all the wrong places, and with a side of toxic fumes, go for it. Microwaves are for Hot Pockets, not high-quality leather. A Webgem will get your glove game-ready without turning it into a melted science experiment.

3. Run Over it With Your Car

Why this will ruin your glove...

I get it—you want a soft, broken-in glove. But is vehicular manslaughter really the answer? Running over your mitt might flatten it, but so would a steamroller, and I don’t see you rolling one of those onto the field. Plus, tires don’t shape your pocket, they just wreck the padding. If you want a perfect pocket without tire tracks, Webgems is your answer.

4. Pee on Your Glove

Why this will ruin your glove...

I wish I were making this one up. Some very special individuals claim urine makes the leather softer. You know what else it makes your glove? Absolutely disgusting. Also, the ammonia and acids in urine? Not exactly top-tier glove care. Instead of playing infield with a biohazard, use Webgems. It actually breaks in your glove without making your teammates question their life choices.

5. Soak it in Water

Why this will ruin your glove...

Water and leather go together about as well as a fastball and your face. Soaking your glove might make it feel soft at first, but once it dries, you’re left with a warped, shrunken, rock-hard mess. And if it stays damp too long? Say hello to mold. Webgems, on the other hand, shapes your glove properly—no mildew, no warping, just the perfect pocket every time.

6. Rubberband Method

Why this will ruin your glove...

Old-school dudes swear by this one—pop a baseball in the pocket, wrap about 38 rubber bands around it, and let it sit for a while. Some even stick it under a mattress or between couch cushions. Here’s the problem: rubber bands belong in an office supply store, not a baseball field. They apply uneven pressure and misshape your glove, leading to a V-shaped top that narrows the glove opening. While using a baseball or softball in the pocket is fine, this method does nothing to shape the sides or heel of your glove, making scooping up grounders a nightmare. Just say no to office supplies and shape your mitt the right way—with a Webgem.

Why Using Webgems From No Errors is the Best Way to Break in a Glove. Period.

Look, your glove is an investment. You wouldn’t break in a new car by smashing it with a sledgehammer, so why would you treat your mitt any differently? Webgems from No Errors is the only way to break in and maintain your glove without ruining it. It preserves the shape, softens the leather the right way, and gives you a perfect pocket—without turning your glove into an overpriced doorstop.

Plus, Webgems isn’t just about breaking in your glove; it’s about keeping it in game-ready shape season after season. No drying out, warping, or weird chemical smells—just a properly shaped, high-performance glove that’s ready when you are.

So let’s put these glove-breaking horror stories behind us, yeah? Get yourself a Webgem and break in your glove like a pro. No microwaves, no pee, no-nonsense. Just results.

Find the Right Webgem for You

Choosing the right Webgem depends on your position—because let’s face it, a catcher’s mitt isn’t built the same as an outfielder’s glove.  Great news for Left-Handed Players! These Webgem glove forms are not just for righties. The Flare, Flare XL, Roll, Deuce, and Square work for Southpaws too. Here is a breakdown by position 

• Catchers: The Square or The Deuce. A well-formed pocket to receive pitches with precision and keep that transfer smooth. Check'em out HERE.

• First Basemen: 3Grande for righties and The Lefty for, you guessed it, lefties. Designed to scoop balls out of the dirt and handle high-velocity throws like a champ. Check'em out HERE.

• Pitchers: The Flare. Keeps your grip hidden to prevent pitch tipping while making those PFPs easier. Check'em out HERE.

• Third Basemen: The Roll. Forms a tight pocket so you can secure those hard-hit rockets down the line.Check'em out HERE.

• Shortstops & Second Basemen: Choose The Flare with a rolled-out pinky to increase glove surface area or The Twist with a rolled-in pinky to funnel the ball into the pocket. Check'em out HERE.

• Outfielders: Use The Flare for gloves 12.5” and smaller, and The Flare XL for 12.75” and larger. Designed to help you scoop up balls off the grass and secure the catch before making a cannon throw. Check'em out HERE.

• Softball Players: The Flare and Flare XL are your best bet all over the diamond. Outfielders thrive with the Flare XL, while infielders and pitchers get the best performance from The Flare. First basemen? 3Grande or The Lefty. Catchers? The Square—The Deuce is just too small. Check'em out HERE.

No matter where you play, Webgems has the perfect tool to keep your glove in peak performance shape. Get our proven method for breaking in gloves HERE. Now, go get the right fit and #FieldItClean.

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