Glove Break-In Service | Game-Ready by 8th Day

Description

Ship it stiff. Get it back ready to work. Shipping is on us, both ways.

A new glove is a promise, not a tool. Right out of the box it fights you. The leather is board-stiff, the pocket has no shape, and the first few weeks are spent wrestling it into something you can actually play with. We take that work off your hands.

Coach Trev has broken in gloves for his own players for years, the same way he coaches: with patience, a plan, and an eye for how the game is actually played. Send us your glove and it comes back shaped, softened, and close to game-ready, with the final feel left for your hand to finish. A glove should end up molded to you, so we take it most of the way and leave the last bit to you on purpose.

The break-in: We use a water dunk and hand shaping to soften the leather, open the pocket, and set the hinges, then condition it to protect it for the long haul. That is the standard process for every glove that comes through the shop.

A note on steam: We only steam a glove in one case. If your glove is a high-bleed or dark color that could bleed onto the leather, we steam it instead of dunking to protect the color. That is a judgment call we make when your glove arrives. There is no separate charge and no separate service for it.

Pricing by glove type:

• Infield or Outfield glove: $85
• First base mitt: $105
• Catcher’s mitt: $120

Every price includes prepaid shipping both ways. There are no shipping fees on top.

Tell us how you want it broken in. When you order, choose your glove type and tap the shaping buttons at checkout so we know exactly what to do with your glove. If you are not sure, leave the defaults and add a note, and we will set it up the standard way for your position.

• Index finger placement: Inside the glove, or outside (out the back through the finger hole)
• Finger shape: Rolled fingers or straight fingers
• Thumb: Standard or straight
• Flare: None, flared thumb, flared pinky, or both

Catcher’s mitts: We box break them by default, which sets the deep, square pocket most catchers want. If you would rather have a regular break-in on your catcher’s mitt, just say so in the order notes.

What condition it comes back in: Shaped, softened, conditioned, and closing cleanly, with a formed pocket and worked hinges. The leather may look slightly darker or marked from conditioning and shaping. That is normal and it blends in with use. We stop short of a full break-in on purpose so the glove finishes molding to your hand and keeps its natural shape.

Turnaround: 5 to 7 business days from the day your glove reaches us, not counting shipping time each way. If you are on a deadline for a season or a tryout, tell us in the order notes and we will do our best to work with you.

What you provide: Your baseball or softball glove, clean and free of anything you do not want returned. In the order notes, add anything specific about how you want it to close or feel. The more you tell us, the closer we get it to how you like it.

How it works:

1. Order the service here and pick your glove type and shaping options at checkout.
2. We email you a prepaid inbound shipping label along with the mailing address and simple packing instructions.
3. Print the label, pack your glove snugly in a small box or padded mailer, and drop it off.
4. We inspect, break in, and condition your glove, then ship it back to you with return shipping already covered. Both directions are on us.

Questions before you order? Reach out through the contact page. If you are local to Sacramento or Loomis, ask about dropping off and picking up in person.

Walk by faith, not by sight. 8th Day Baseball.