Shaping Your Baseball or Softball Glove for Outfielders
Let’s talk about shaping your baseball or softball glove. There is a distinct difference between shaping your glove and simply breaking it in. While breaking in your glove makes it more flexible and game-ready, shaping your glove optimizes it for peak performance. Today, we’ll focus on shaping your glove specifically for outfielders, as they make up one-third of the positions on the field.
Why Should You Shape Your Glove?
The number one thing you should do to enhance your glove’s performance is to “flare” it. Flaring your glove means shaping the pinky finger and thumb outward, increasing the opening of the glove. This wider entry point allows for better ball control and reduces the chances of the ball tipping off the fingers and causing an error. Some players mistakenly roll the pinky and thumb inward, which significantly reduces the catching surface and increases the likelihood of errors.
How to Create a Flare Shape with the NO ERRORS Webgem
While you can work the leather with your hands, one of the best ways to create and maintain a flare shape is by using the NO ERRORS Webgem Flare. This specialized tool is designed to help break in a glove to your desired shape, maintain that shape over time, and even restore gloves that have lost their form. The Webgem Flare is an essential tool for any outfielder looking to maximize their glove’s performance.
Additional Tip: The Two-Finger in the Pinky Stall Strategy
Another technique that outfielders can use is placing two fingers in the pinky stall while sliding the index finger to the middle stall. This adjustment creates a larger and deeper pocket, allowing for more secure catches. As an outfielder, your job is to make plays and secure outs, and a well-shaped flare pocket combined with the two-in-the-pinky strategy can give you the edge you need on the field.
By flaring your glove and utilizing the NO ERRORS Webgem Flare, you can ensure that your glove is shaped for maximum performance, helping you make more confident and consistent catches.
To learn more about flaring your glove or using two in the pinky, check out a great video from the Ball Glove King by clicking on this link: Watch the Video.
