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Baseball gloves and mitts can last a long time, but only if you take care of the leather. As leather gets old, one of two things can happen. If the weather is dry, it tends to dry up and crack. If the weather is humid, it can grow mold that can ruin the leather. Being thin, baseball glove lace is usually the first to go.
When this happens, you can buy a new glove, but this would involve having to break in your new glove. People often want to keep their old gloves because they "snap" well and already feel comfortable in their hands. In the case that you don't want to replace your glove, relacing your glove is a good idea. This can be done by a professional or you can do it yourself by buying a lacing kit.
You can buy a lacing kit which comes with everything you need or you can buy some rawhide glove lace and use some tools you are likely to have already!
To relace your glove, follow these steps:
1. Take a picture of your gloves current lacing. This will help you follow the correct lacing style.
2. Apply glove oil on your laces so that it softens. This will help you weave them through the holes.
3. Remove the old laces from your glove. You may need to cut these.
4. You can apply a bit of glove oil on the holes for the lacing. (Optional)
5. Tie an overhand knot on one end of the laces.
6. Push the opposite end of the pace through the first hole and pull the lace all the way through till the knot you tied stops at the opening.
7. Begin lacing the glove, following the picture you took. Remember to pull the rawhide tight because laces will stretch over time so you have to make up for this stretch by pulling it tighter when you lace them.
8. Once finished, make another overhand knot. This knot should be at the opening of the last lace hole.
9. Cut off any excess lacing from the ends of the knots.
Knowing how to replace your baseball glove laces will help you keep the same glove for a long time. It's one of the best ways to maintain your glove because whenever you relace, you get to care for the glove as well. Be sure to keep your glove in a place that is cool and dry, but not too dry, and that you use keep your glove clean and moisturized.
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