how do i break in a first basemen's glove properly? is it different than breaking in any other kind of glove?
447432
Put some shaving cream in it and rub it in real good.  Put a baseball or softball in it and tie it up tight so it is folded almost even.  Put it under your mattress or something kind of heavy.\n\nThen just play lots of catch with it.  Good luck.
412114
Play with it. Its like a baseball glove. New ones arent that great, but one that you've had for awhile works perfect.
153363
you get a right-handed glove for a right-handed person. it goes on your left hand, but is called right-handed because it is for right-handed players.
666782
The slider is thrown with pressure applied to the index and middle finger along with pressure added to the thumb. The index and middle fingers "split" the top seams. The thumb however, is placed on top of the bottom seam. An important step in throwing a proper slider is to snap your wrist in a side to side motion as you release the baseball. When thrown properly, it will dart from right to left in a sweeping motion (left to right if you are left handed). The science behind this pitch is that the force applied to the index and middle fingers causes the ball to slide when it is thrown. With this and the combination of snapping your wrist, the baseball actually fights inertia and sharply slides during its flight to home plate. \n\nThe change up is one of the hardest pitches to throw. It really doesn't matter where your fingers are placed (unlike the fastball and slider). After you form an O.K. symbol with your hand it is important to squeeze the ball tightly. Finally, you must snap your wrist in the opposite side to side motion of a slider as you release the ball. In otherwards if you are right handed you will snap your wrist counterclockwise (clockwise if you are left handed). It is also important not to throw this pitch as hard as the fastball and slider. The science behind this pitch is that the friction applied from the O.K. hand signal causes the ball to be released at a slower rate. With the torque of your wrist, the ball once again fights inertia and travels from left to right while on its path to home plate (right to left if you are left handed). However, this time the baseball will lose velocity due to the firm grip and act in a tumbling manner as it approaches home plate.  \n\n**WARNING: it is advised that kids under the age of 18 do not try and throw the slider frequently as it may severely damage your hand**
672950
The basic idea is to avoid splinters and bits breaking off the edges by gently tapping the bat with a mallet.Otherwise skip the following excellent advise. \n\nWhen you buy a bat, it is only lightly pressed at the \nfactory and the fibres are still really soft - if you \npress your fingernail into the surface you'll see what \nI mean. 'Knocking in' is the process of compressing and \nbinding these lose fibres together to allow the bat to \nwithstand the constant impact from the ball. You're \npreparing the bat to be HIT.Your aim is to 'bash' the \nsurface of the blade - not the back or the bottom of \nthe bat (that can be disastrous!) You can use an OLD, \nGOOD QUALITY ball in your hand or put it in a sock or \ntry different types of 'knocking in' mallets - my \npreference is for the solid wood version. Any good shop \nor mail order company does them for around a fiver - \nbuy one, you'll need to make use of it many times. \n\nStart 'knocking in' by gently working on the edges and \ngradually knocking them into a rounded, compressed shape \nonce you get started you'll soon see the change in \ntexture. Then keep working on the edges and the area \naround the toe of the bat - not the bottom of the bat - and think of trying to use glancing strokes that resemble \nyou edging a ball to gully, then 3rd slip, 2nd slip, etc. \nwhile all the time gradually increasing the strength of \nthe impact.Don't forget to give the middle a good going \nover but the priority should be the outside inch or so \nof the bat round both edges and the toe. \n\nHow long do you have to go through this mind numbingly \nboring routine? Slazenger recommend 6 hours - now that \nis a long, long time. If you try to do it in good 5 \nminute blocks it becomes more manageable. Essentially \nyou don't want to think about using the bat until it's \nhad at least 2 hours(24 x 5 minute sessions) but ideally \nif you can manage double that then all the better. If you \nhave the time and space and tolerant neighbours then the \nprocess can be done in a week or so - most of us need a bit \nlonger! But there's no point going to the other extreme - \nbuying a bat one season and not using it until the next. \nAnyway, such self-denial would be way beyond the likes \nof me or most cricketers I know! So use the bat but be \nsensible. \n\nAfter the initial 2-4 hours 'knocking in,' try using it \nfor hitting short catches and then in the nets against \nOLD, GOOD QUALITY balls and only against the spinners/ \nslow mediums first. A new or cheap ball can do a lot of \ndamage to an under-prepared bat and digging out a fast \nyorker in the nets can spell doom and destruction for \neven the best prepared bat! So try and middle the ball \nand play the bat in - resist the wild slogging for once! \n  \nThen do some more 'knocking in' and then some more and \nthen some more and then some more... \n\nRemember, SOME bats need a LITTLE linseed oil - but no \nmore than a couple of teaspoonfuls per season! However, \nALL BATS NEED KNOCKING IN. Gunn & Moore now provide this \nservice for around 10 pounds in their GM NOW range. For \nmost people that's 10 lbs well spent. But don't forget you'll still need to keep 'knocking in' throughout the life of your bat, knocking out indentations, evening out dead \nspots in the bat, strengthening area around glued repairs \netc. A cricket dealer I know recommends that the day you \nstop 'knocking in' is the day you throw the bat in the bin.
1011191
first answer was correct, the bat handles are so thin today, it's hard to believe that the bats don't break every time a hitter makes contact with the ball...\n\nThe batters want as light a bat as possible, but rather than sacrifice wood in the sweet spot area, they take it out of the handle area.
35667
hold the bat stem a little tighter and be more authorative wen you swing. batting gloves help absorb shock and prevent blistering. but you are being apprehensive at the plate. be more aggressive wen you decide to swing.
1030031
In general, a lefty would use a glove that goes on his right hand.  The reason is that you want your stronger arm (the left) available for throwing, which requires more strength than catching.
1103568
To be more specific than "don't snap your wrist". \n\nGrip the ball with the index and middle fingers together so that the middle finger is just inside the seam and put your thumb at 180 from the fingers so 1/2 the ball is "sticking out" (sort of like it's floating in water except in your hand).\nWhen you deliver the ball, twist your wrist ahead of time to avoid the "snapping" motion which causes tendon/ligament damage. when you release the ball, your delivery should be almost like you're reaching out in front of you and grabbing a rope and pulling it down.\nThe most important thing about a curveball is the mechanics. Push off the mound using your legs, deliver the ball in the correct postion, and most importantly follow through with your whole body, not just your arm.\n\nAfter you try this a bit it will start to work EVERY time. It feels very funny at first though.
760768
be sure to always place yourself infron of the ball and glove to the ground when fielding.  also it depends on the player at bat as to where you would stand in the outfield etc.  If the person is lefty then you would be more towards 3rd base and visa versa etc.  I would also have a friend toss or hit pop flys towards you in the outfield for more practice.  Since practice and practice and more practice makes one a better player!
824287
Are you on the same team?  If you are at bat, then hit a single and run for it.  If you are the first baseman, then hope that she hits a single.  If the batter hits a double or makes it further, then first base will simply be passed by.  You are talking about baseball...right?
868510
Baseball players to get those powerful wrists and forearms do a special exercise...I watched an interview with Roberto Clemente 40 years ago, when the reporter ask him about his incredible powerful arms, Clemente showed him how baseball players do it...You can buy an expensive set or you can make your own...\n\nOf course this was back in the old days..LOL...But, Clemente had a 12 inch section of a broom handle with a hole drilled in it, a rope about the thickness of a laundry line was run through the hole and attached to a weight...What you do is hold the broom handle in both hands, out in front of you, then just using just your hands/wrists you roll the weight up and down...Start out light even 5lbs will get you started, then as time goes by move up in weight...\n\nYou do that for a year and you're going to have forearms like a blacksmith!! I started when I was 12,  by the time I played HS ball my forearms looked like popeye. This was back in the days when ballplayers didn't lift weights...I would suggest you don't "over-do" this type of exercise...A well rounded weight lifting regimen would be more beneficial to your game...\n\nI'm not saying don't do the exercise, I'm saying don't over-do it, mix in other weight lifting...Another great exercise for ballplayers>to strengthen your throwing arm is to attach a bungy type cord to a wall at shoulder height, then while standing, take the cord in you throwing hand, face away from the wall and stretch the cord out in front of you, the cord should stretch to the length of your reach with light not great resistance, vary the motion from a punching type(slow) motion to one of a more natural throwing motion...If you want to be a really good player don't forget the legs and work-work-work on the fundamentals, and just as important do them correctly...Practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect..Good Luck
925679
The catcher must wear a catcher's mitt. There is no size restriction.\n\n"Each fielder, other than the first baseman and the catcher may wear a glove not more than 12 inches long nor more than 7-3/4 inches wide, measured from the base of the thumb crotch to the outer edge of the glove." (1.14)\n\nThe first baseman's glove may be up to 8 inches wide.
583592
If you have a helper one of the best things to do is have them throw you one-hoppers.  While on first base, have someone throw the ball at or right in front of your feet.  You have to scoop the ball keeping one foot on the base.  If not, nothin beets a garage door and a tennis ball.
958068
I'm a junior in high school and we've won the 6A Kansas State Softball Championship the past 3 years in a row and I'm also on a traveling team.  It depends on how old you are.  If you're below the ago of 11 a regular bat and glove should do fine.  You should practice taking grounders and go to the batting cages to get in some hitting practice.  If you're older you should get a good glove and bat.  The glove should fit you but it doesn't matter on the quality of it so long as its nto going to fall apart.  I myself had used the same glove since third grade until last summer.  For the bat, I would recommend a Louisville Catalyst or Easton Synergy.  Make sure that you get a bat that is light/heavy and long/short enough for you.  Brush up on the rules as well.  All players should have cleats, regardless of age.
988816
I think you are thinking about a mush ball! I have played "soft"ball for 26 years, and have broken many fingers and many bruises from being hit, I am a catcher. I can guarantee you it is hard and hurts when we get hit. I do not know why they are bigger, I guess if they were the same size we would be playing baseball.
329800
being a first baseman myself, my advice would be that the most important skill is to be able to catch balls in the dirt - mostly bad throws from 2B, SS, 3B. another is the stretch to catch the ball. tall isnt as important as long - being able to reach out and catch the ball the earliest possible. quickness isnt really an issue, you only need to move 15 feet MAX to either side.