Sports-Dry Ball Drying Compound? The 128 Correct Answer

Mud for treating baseballs

Delaware River, the general vicinity of the baseball friction mud source

Baseball mud is mud used to treat balls in baseball to give pitchers better control and a firmer grip on the ball.[1]

history [edit]

Before the use of rubbing mud, baseballs were field rubbed in a mixture of water and earth, but this method usually discolored the ball’s leather surface. Other alternatives back then were tobacco juice, shoe polish and dirt under the stadium stands. They could successfully remove the shine from baseballs, but at the same time they also damaged and scratched the leather of the ball.[2] While Lena Blackburne was a third base coach for the Philadelphia Athletics baseball team, an umpire complained to him about the method used at the time, prompting Blackburne in 1938 to look for better mud to use against baseballs rub. Later that decade, Blackburne discovered the location of the friction mud (reportedly “near” Palmyra, New Jersey) and formed the company he sold earlier. According to the company, the entire American League used the mud shortly after its discovery, and by the 1950s it was being used by every major league team, as well as some minor league and collegiate teams.[1]

When Blackburne was prevented from harvesting the mud due to aging, he left the company to a friend, John Haas (Blackburne died in 1968);[4] according to the company, Haas had accompanied Blackburne in his search for a suitable mud. Haas later left the company to his son-in-law, Burns Bintliff, who in turn chose one of his nine children, current owner Jim, to continue the business.[4] Jim Bintliff told CNN in 2009 that the company only makes about $20,000 a year; At that time he was working full-time as a printing press operator.[4]

usage [edit]

The mud comes from the New Jersey side of the Delaware River. The sludge is cleaned and screened before sale.[1] Each year Jim Bintliff visits the mud well and returns with 1,000 pounds to store over the winter to sell the following baseball season.[3] Bintliff told CNN:

If someone catches me collecting mud, I make up a story to explain why I’m pouring mud in a bucket. I’ve told people I use it in my garden, I use it on my rose bushes, I use it on bee stings and poison ivy and all kinds of stories.[4]

Before all major and minor league baseball games, an umpire or clubhouse attendant rubs the mud on six dozen or more balls to give them a rougher surface to make them easier for pitchers to grip and to comply with MLB Rule 4.01 ( c), stating that all balls “must be properly rubbed to remove the shine”. The unique feature of the sludge is that it is “very fine, like thick chocolate pudding”[1] and is considered the “perfect baseball sludge”.[1]

How many balls have you thrown away because they ended up in the ditch behind the baseball field? How many times have you thrown a $4 softball because it was soaked from a wet outfield by the end of practice? How much of your shrinking inventory budget do you think ends up in the trash in the form of wet baseballs and softballs each year? If you’re like most trainers, you know it’s too much.

Fear not my friends, there is a low budget solution to your problems. I’m sure you’ve all heard of Dri-Ball. Dri-Ball has been around for years, but it still amazes me how many people don’t use it. Dri-Ball is a powder solution that absorbs water very quickly, wicking moisture right out of your wet baseballs and softballs. In fact, it is also used for soccer balls and tennis balls.

In general, baseballs and softballs become unusable once they get wet and the inside coil absorbs moisture. The reason for this is that the weight increases and they no longer have the bang from the racquet. Heavily water-filled baseballs or softballs could damage a racquet, which would really strain your budget at today’s high-end racquet prices. Unfortunately, extremely wet balls are no longer usable, even Dri-Ball will not fix them, so it’s best to use Dri-Ball as soon as you notice the ball’s cover getting wet. Keep the leather sleeves dry before the ball interior is destroyed.

The Dri-Ball kit comes with 2 packs of the Dri-Ball mix, instructions and a shaker bag. Simply place the mixture in the shaker bag, add wet baseballs, softballs, soccer balls, tennis balls or even a mix of all four and shake. In a few moments, the water will be absorbed and the ball covers will not be damaged.

Dri-Ball retails for less than $60 per kit and can save you hundreds of dollars. Every program should have a few kits on hand. Ahead of soccer season, we recommend that you purchase a few kits as drying soccer balls is one of the most popular uses for Dri-Ball and during soccer season Dri-Ball kits are often sold out and temporarily out of stock. Especially in the years when the rain just won’t stop. Get some Dri-Ball kits today, you can find them for sale at www.MorleyAthletic.com where you can even save by taking advantage of a great kit bulk price.

The kids all left the soccer balls out in the rain, they weigh a ton now, which is fine with me or you, but not good for a five year old. We’re talking about cheap O’Neills balls and other leather footballs. Can they dry out, what can I do?

If there is indeed water in the rubber tube of the soccer balls, proceed as follows. Buy a valve, put it in the soccer ball and let all the air out. When the air comes out, hold the soccer ball with the valve pointing towards the ground. The water should come out in case something got caught in it. Sometimes water can get in. I don’t know how, but it happens. When you pump the balls back up. Leave them on the bottom of the heat press or somewhere warm and they should dry. Don’t expose them to too much heat. When you give footballs new, completely new air, you rejuvenate them and they become lighter. But try to put them in a warm place to dry.

01/31/2021

There is nothing worse than a wet or rain-soaked glove. Players and parents can agree on that. We’ve all been through that. Accidentally left your glove outside in the rain? Did the sprinklers come on while your glove was on the field? Maybe your water bottle broke in your glove bag. Or maybe you attended a game that was delayed or canceled entirely due to rain.

Whatever happened, water and leather don’t mix well. Water combined with leather removes protective oils that contribute to the overall durability of your glove. It also causes your shoelaces to weaken and can eventually tear. But fear not, the JustGlove team is here to answer the following questions:

“What do I do if my glove gets wet?”

“How should I dry my wet baseball or softball glove?” ”

These tips will help you know what to do when leather gets wet in general, and how to dry your soaked glove. Let’s start.

Step #1: Use a towel to soak up moisture

First things first: If the leather gets wet, use a clean towel (or towels) to pat your glove dry and massage while applying pressure to try to absorb excess moisture. If you have multiple towels, we recommend using them in three main places:

Bag: Take the first towel and stuff it in the bag with a ball so you don’t ruin your bag. Finger Cots: Take a second towel and stuff it into the wrist opening and finger cots, if possible. Entire glove: Take the third towel and wrap it around the entire glove.

Keep an eye on the towels and make sure you don’t use damp or completely wet towels. It’s best to swap them out frequently. Better safe than sorry. Note that you can also use paper towels or even newspaper for this step. However, we recommend using a real towel if you have access to it.

Step #2: Use a fan for deeper drying

If you have a fan, great. If not, you can skip this step. But it is highly recommended. Most box fans are relatively inexpensive and can be found and purchased at your local supermarket for ~$20.

Once you have a fan set up, turn it on and point it directly at the wet leather of your glove. Or better yet, lean your wet baseball glove against your fan’s face. Do this on and off for several hours while making sure your glove doesn’t get too hot or too cold. Make sure that if your fan has an air conditioning or heating function, that function can be turned off.

Step #3: Apply glove oil to rehydrate

You patted your glove dry and let it air out in front of a fan. You’re done now, aren’t you? Not correct. Applying leather glove oil is the next step in ensuring your wet baseball glove is ready to play again. And remember, less is more when it comes to glove oil. This step is to make sure your glove doesn’t dry out after step 1 and step 2 and also bring the original color back to your glove. It will also help return oil that may have been washed away by the water.

If you don’t have glove oil, you’ve come to the right place! The JustGloves Glove Care Kit includes not only a professional grade soft glove conditioner, but also applicator sponges, a wooden glove hammer and more! It’s really designed to help you take care of your glove season after season.

Pick up your glove care kit today

Step #4: Let it sit overnight

Leave your glove in a dry place indoors overnight. Avoid direct sunlight and all other weather influences. This step is important to allow the leather to return to its normal shape and color after it has been wet.

Step #5: Repeat if necessary

Once you have completed steps 1 through 4, you may need to repeat them until you are comfortable with the look and feel of the leather on your glove.

Now that we’ve gone through the five step process of drying a baseball glove, here are a few additional tips that may help.

Tip #1: Weigh your glove

Weigh your glove on a scale before beginning step number one and after you finish step number 4. This will give you a better idea of ​​how much water you were able to get out of your leather glove after the drying steps.

Tip #2: Don’t use heat

Whatever you choose, make sure you are NOT using a heat source. We’ve heard it all at JustGloves. The most common are hair dryers and clothes dryers, ovens and even microwaves. We strongly advise against this, as such heat destroys all leather and, above all, dries out your gloves and makes them unusable.

Tip #3: Don’t wring out your glove

It will be tempting to try wringing out your glove much like you would a wet towel. Avoid this as it will cause further damage and can completely ruin your gauntlet.

Tip #4: Redesign your glove

When all is said and done, it’s best to remold your glove. There’s a good chance your bag has changed.

Watch as glove expert Logan explains how to break in your glove

There you have it. Our five-step process with top tips on how to fix your wet baseball or softball glove. We are aware that this is a lengthy process and that it is not the quickest solution, but it really is the best solution. If for any reason you go through these steps and your glove is still unusable, don’t hesitate to contact our glove experts. They will be happy to help you buy a new glove. They are available 24/7 via email at [email protected], by phone at 866-321-4568 or via live chat on our website. Don’t forget, we’re here at Click to Catch!

PS It’s never a bad idea to have multiple gloves. One for practice and one as your “gamer”. The JustGloves Bundle & Save program is designed to do just that! We now offer every player the ability to create their own deals by purchasing multiple baseball or softball gloves at once.

Looking for a practice glove or a new glove in general? Check out our gloves below or browse our baseball gloves for more options.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR BREAKING IN YOUR LEATHER FOOTBALL

Step I: To prepare your Wilson Real Leather Game Ball you will need a Wilson Football Brush, Tack Bar, Football Tack Spray and Football Prep Conditioner.

Step II: Using the Wilson approved football brush, brush each court of your leather football for 30-45 seconds. Remember to keep a firm grip on your football and brush each plate thoroughly. Don’t worry about being too rough with the brush – it’s built to withstand heavy use.

Step III: Apply a small amount (about the size of a dime) of Football Prep Conditioner to each plate. Then rub it around well and let it dry for about 20 minutes. Football Prep Conditioner moisturizes and strengthens the outer layer of your football.

Step IV: Spread the tack bar 2 to 3 times over each panel. Spread more for extra stickiness. By placing the tack bar around the soccer ball, you can maximize the grip of your soccer ball.

Step V: Simply repeat Step 1 brushing each lane with the Wilson Football Brush. Again, remember to brush each slab thoroughly!

Step VI: Spray a light coat of Football Tack Spray onto each panel.

Step VII: Brush each panel again with the Wilson Football Brush. Brush thoroughly and evenly.

Now you can get your A-game AND an optimized ball onto the field thanks to the Wilson Football Prep Kit. By following our step-by-step guide to preparing a soccer ball, your ball can last longer and its grip stronger than ever. Now go out and play.

To see the process in action, watch the video below.

It’s 9:30 am at Wilson’s global headquarters in Chicago, IL. The hallway you walk through is lined with shelves full of soccer balls. As you approach the team sports area on the 5th floor, you notice several soccer balls on a table that appear to be covered in…mud? Alongside the balls are brushes, tack spray, rags, and a variety of other tools. This everyday sight can only mean one thing: our product managers are busy preparing footballs for some notable teams across the country.

It’s easy to understand how sports equipment must meet quality standards for strength and durability. Every time athletes use it, it’s a beating, and athletes and coaches, in turn, go to great lengths to ensure their gear lasts.

Wilson leather footballs combine superb craftsmanship with the highest quality components available. They need to be pitched on the field to perform as well as the players who use them. Read on for a detailed breakdown of how our product managers prepare footballs for NCAA and NFL teams. If you’re looking for an easier ball prep method, continue to our Quick & Easy Ball Prep Guide.

About the balls

Wilson manufactures these balls from high quality leather sourced from the Horween Leather Company of Chicago, Illinois. When you buy a Wilson Leather Football, you’ve bought a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind piece. It’s akin to buying a leather baseball glove that needs to be broken in and conditioned to maximize performance.

The leather needs to remain primed and protected to maximize the life of the ball and ensure supreme functionality in every game. After all, nobody likes a slippery football. Balls should never soak in water, never dry out, and remain protected from abrasion and harsh chemicals. Remember that leather is skin and will act like skin when handled, conditioned and moisturized.

About the tools and conditioners

The governing bodies of the NFL, NCAA, and NFHS apply strict rules for conditioning footballs that exclude foreign matter. To comply with these regulations, Wilson sources the ingredients in the Tack Spray, Tack Bar and Ball Conditioner from processes used by Horween. Wilson’s ball brush has the optimum stiffness to suppleness ratio that respects the leather. Finally, the mud – Lena Blackburne Friction Mud – is a silt-based mud that will not scratch the leather.

About the brushing

The individual panels of a soccer ball are cut from a large piece of leather. The factory maximizes the cuts to get as many panels out of that panel of leather as possible, resulting in a different grain direction. Therefore, when brushing a soccer ball, it is best to use a multidirectional pattern: clockwise, counterclockwise, up, then down. These movements guarantee an even distribution of tack, conditioner and mud.

How to prepare a soccer ball: step-by-step instructions

Before you begin, note that it is important to keep moisture away from the laces. In cold weather, this moisture freezes under the skin and destroys the blister. So it’s important to be very careful when applying the conditioner, sticking spray and mud around the holes.

STEP 1: BRUSH THE BALL

Brush the ball across each plate in a multidirectional pattern: clockwise, counterclockwise, up, then down. There is stickiness on the surface of the ball that is part of Wilson’s proprietary leather formula. As you brush each panel, brush this stick into the ball and spread it evenly. The ball will feel like it has more grip just because it’s being brushed.

STEP 2: USE CONDITIONER AND TACK SPRAY

The leather absorbs conditioner more easily and with less tension than the skin, so deflate the ball to about 8psi. Then mix a solution of 2 parts conditioner and 1 part hold spray. The adhesive spray promotes the adhesion of the conditioner to the leather.

STEP 3: COVER THE BALL

Using a gloved hand, spread this solution evenly over the deflated ball. Allow the ball to dry for 3-5 minutes and then check that you have an even spread. You can use a brush to even out the conditioner if needed.

STEP 4: BREAK DOWN THE BLOWDRYER

Using a heat gun or blow dryer, go across all panels about 5 inches apart to allow the leather to absorb the conditioner. Be sure to use a continuous motion and only apply the heat for a few seconds. Don’t use the highest heat setting, medium heat is perfect. This heating process makes the ball very sticky, so be prepared.

STEP 5: MORE CONDITIONER

Apply another coat of conditioner with a towel. The leather has changed color, is getting darker and can absorb more moisture.

STEP 6: TAKE YOUR FOOTBALL MUD

Mix some Lena Blackburne Rubbing Mud with water to the consistency of a milkshake and, using a gloved hand, apply a thin layer to the soccer ball. Remember to keep the mud out of the lace holes and keep the layer thin enough so you can read the logos through. Now let the ball dry for at least 1 hour. If the ball is still wet when you brush it, the coatings will grind up the pebbles on the ball, so make sure it’s completely dry. If you can’t find Lena Blackburne Friction Mud, make sure you use another mud-based mud specifically designed for soccer balls.

STEP 7: BRUSH THE BALL

Using the same brushing motions as before, brush the mud into the ball, not off it.

STEP 8: CONDITION AND INFLATE

At this point, the ball appears dusty. Apply an additional light coat of conditioner, inflate the ball to 13psi, give a final light brush and BOOM! Your soccer ball is ready.

Prep frequency, drying time, and conditioner to hold spray ratio vary greatly depending on where you are in the US. For example, in the arid southwest, the ball dries in an hour or two. In the Southeast it may take a day or two to dry due to high humidity. High humidity also allows the leather to retain moisture for longer, which generally means less conditioning is required.

Treating the soccer ball like skin is a good idea, but treating it like your skin can result in a less successful conditioning process and ultimately less use of your soccer ball. Here are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind:

DOS:

Brush the ball once a week or before each game.

Use sticky spray on the ball once a week.

Maintain the ball once a month, especially if you have a limited supply of soccer balls.

If you can’t get hold of Lena Blackburne Friction Mud, use fine-grain packed topsoil, but make sure it’s not gritty or it will damage the leather.

Use a brush for brushing soccer balls. Commercial cleaning brushes are too stiff and will scratch the leather, and shoe shine brushes are too soft to successfully brush in the stickiness.

As a general rule, keep water away from the leather, especially in and around the lace holes.

Forbidden:

Do not use a hot or wet rag to remove the initial preservative. A common misconception is that the ball contains preservatives or “waterproofing agents”. There isn’t, and wiping the ball with a damp rag first will speed up the drying of the ball.

Don’t bake the ball in the mud. Use a layer thin enough that you can still see the logos.

Do not use milk, shoe polish or olive oil to maintain the football.

Do not use soap or plain shaving cream on the leather (this will dry out the leather).

Do not use products with a high concentration of lanolin as this will cause the leather to stretch and the ball will lose its shape over time.

Using this method and caring for your soccer ball will result in optimal performance and extend the life and durability of your soccer ball. It’s worth taking the time to prepare it properly.

FAST AND EASY BALL PREP METHOD:

For those of you who don’t have the time to delve deeply into the above procedure, we have a quick ball prep break-in procedure that will also improve the performance and longevity of your leather football. Once you’ve taken your leather football out of the box, watch the video below and follow these 5 steps for a quick set up and familiarization with your new ball.

Brush each panel of the ball for 30-45 seconds. Light to medium hits, don’t push hard or you’ll lose pebbles that are important for grip. For grooming, brush once a week or before play. Apply a small amount of conditioner to each panel and rub in with your hands; Leave to dry for 20 minutes. For maintenance during the season, reapply the conditioner once a month for maximum performance. Apply the adhesive strip 2-3 times to each panel. Only use an adhesive spray every 1-2 weeks for maintenance during the season. Brush each panel with light to medium strokes for 10 seconds. Spray on adhesive spray once per panel and allow to dry for 5 minutes. Only use an adhesive spray every 1-2 weeks for maintenance during the season.

Here are links to everything you need for the quick prep method:

Do you have questions about preparing your football? Call [email protected]

Check back often for more gear care tips and follow us on Instagram for insider news.

8 Step Process To Break In A Leather Soccer Ball By Ballbreakers LLC Admin

Have you just bought a new leather football only to find that it’s slippery, hard and not like what you see on TV or at college games?

Well, in this post, we are going to explain step by step how to prepare and break in a GST leather soccer ball and an official NFL soccer ball.

Follow these steps below and you’ll have a ball ready for game day in no time!

Why should you break in a leather soccer ball?

Breaking in of soccer balls like the Wilson GST leather soccer ball or the official NFL soccer ball is important as brand new leather soccer balls come with an orange coat of paint on each soccer ball that causes the soccer ball to feel very slippery and they are hard as rock there no conditioning of the leather.

Breaking in your soccer ball not only softens the leather, but also gives you extra accuracy, longer throwing distance, better ball protection and extra grip. Also, the soccer ball will last longer because of the conditioners and wax products you use. Finally, it gives the soccer ball that dark brown color that you usually see at soccer games on TV.

Do all footballs have to be broken in?

If your soccer ball is a real leather soccer ball then yes, breaking in the soccer ball is highly recommended. Think of this as a baseball glove for a baseball player. Baseball players go through many processes to break in their baseball gloves so they can perform at their best during the game.

This is exactly the consideration when it comes to a leather soccer ball. Once you have a broken-in football and compare it to a brand new football, you can absolutely understand why players go through this long breaking-in process.

Does this process work for official NFL footballs?

Absolutely! In fact, most professional teams have a rig manager who breaks in NFL footballs using a very similar process.

Often these equipment managers break in many NFL footballs months in advance before they even get onto the practice fields.

The only additional step we recommend for NFL footballs is a mudding process. After wiping down the soccer ball with your hot, wet rag, you usually want to apply a special soccer ball mud to the entire soccer ball and let it sit for about 24 hours.

After letting the ball sit for 24 hours, you should wipe the mud again with a damp rag and use your brush to remove the excess mud on each plate. After that, continue with the normal steps listed below.

Why would you put mud on NFL football?

By applying Special Football Mud to your NFL football, it will help give your football the dark brown color that you typically see on footballs during NFL games.

This also helps weather the football and conditions the leather so that if you’re out on the field on a rainy day and the football gets wet, it actually still has grip.

Can I buy a soccer ball that has already been broken in?

Actually yes you can! Here at Ball Breakers we cut the breaking-in process down for you.

If you’ve broken in a leather soccer ball in the past, you know how long the process can take, not to mention how painful your arm can get. So our mission at Ball Breakers is to completely save you from having to go through this burglary process and let our team do all the work for you.

Each soccer ball purchased is initially a brand new soccer ball, as if you bought it yourself. It then goes through a full break-in process that ensures it’s ready to play right on the pitch the day you receive your football.

Items you need to break in your soccer ball

Bucket/bowl of warm/hot water Towel or rag that you don’t mind getting paint on Wilson brush or shoe shine Wilson Leather Conditioner, Neatsfoot Oil or any other leather conditioner you wish to use. (If you end up using a conditioner other than Wilson Conditioner, try a small amount first to see how it reacts on the football leather before applying to the entire football.) Wilson Tack Bar, which comes with the Wilson brush is supplied. If you’re ordering from Wilson Sporting Goods or Amazon, it should be a kit that includes both the brush and the wax bar. Optional: You can also purchase the Wilson Tack Spray if you want to add a little extra tack anywhere. We personally don’t use this though as we find that the sticky spray leaves an oily feel on your hand when throwing which can really affect your accuracy. Optional: Lena Blackbourne Baseball Mud if you decide to apply mud to your football. Optional: Barbasol shaving cream

8 step process to break in a leather soccer ball

Step 1: Dye Removal

Wet the new soccer ball. How you do this will come down to personal preference, but we recommend using a damp, warm towel and scrubbing each panel of the soccer ball about 2-3 minutes per panel.

We recommend getting a bucket or bowl of warm/hot water and making sure to thoroughly wet the rag several times for each lane of the football as this will help remove all paint completely.

Step 2: drying

Allow the soccer ball to dry or use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process.

Perform this process 1-2 times to ensure all paint is completely removed from the soccer ball.

Optional step: shaving cream

Some people use shaving cream, which helps remove excess paint from the soccer ball. If you go this route, simply apply shaving cream (Barbasol brand) to the entire football, then use a long bristle brush on each panel to remove the shaving cream.

The reason we personally don’t use shaving cream is because we’ve found it leaves a wafer-thin residue on the ball, which we felt the conditioner wasn’t able to absorb as much as we’d like.

Step 3: Time to brush

Using a shoe shine brush or Wilson-approved football brush, firmly brush each area of ​​the football until each area has turned a darker color (approximately 2-3 minutes per area). Be careful when using the brush over logos as this can damage the logo designs.

Step 4: Apply conditioner

The GST football comes with composite-style crimped laces that already provide excellent grip. So be careful NOT to put conditioner on the laces or the white composite strips.

Apply a small amount of conditioner (about the size of a dime) to one area of ​​the soccer ball and rub thoroughly with a rag. Continue this process with each panel of the soccer ball.

Step 5: Dry for 24 hours

We recommend letting the play football sit and dry for 24 hours just to ensure the conditioner really absorbs and has time to hydrate and soften the leather.

Step 6: Repeat step three

Simply repeat step three, brushing each area of ​​the ball with your shoe polish brush or Wilson brush. Use good pressure when brushing each panel and again use caution when going over logos as the brush can scrape the logos.

The reason we like to add another brushing step here is so we can prep the leather to add the waxing process in the next step and ensure the wax adheres better to the leather.

Optional step: applying mud

After applying the conditioner to your football, one option that works really well if you want the end result to be a very dark brown football is to apply Lena Blackburne Baseball Mud.

Although the mud gives the soccer ball that beautiful dark brown color and also helps soften the leather a bit, there are a few downsides you need to be aware of.

The mud can definitely take a toll on your shoe brushes, so make sure you have a separate brush just for removing mud. Also removing the mud with the brush can scrape off the logos quite a bit, so be careful when going over foil logos.

Step 7: Wake Up!

Our recommendation is to use Wilson’s Leather Wax Bars. Attach the adhesive strip directly to the soccer ball and slide the strip up and down 2-3 times per face. For extra stickiness, use more bars on each plate.

Once you’ve applied the glue strip to each panel, you should run your brush across each panel to thoroughly brush in the wax. This also helps give the ball an even darker brown color while adding extra stickiness.

Step 8: Play with it

Once you have completed all of the above steps, your football should be in good condition, have good grip and overall be ready to play on the pitch.

Bonus tip: how to keep your soccer ball under control

Over time, as you use your soccer ball on the field, you may find that it loses some of that stickiness. The best way to prevent this is to apply the wax bar to your soccer ball as in step 7 every 2-3 games and use the brush to brush the wax into your ball. This way your football will continue to retain that extra grip.

Are there other methods to break in leather footballs?

While we’ve outlined our step-by-step process, we know this isn’t the final step in breaking in a leather soccer ball.

Many people have different strategies when it comes to breaking in a leather soccer ball. Whether it’s tossing your soccer ball in the dryer with towels (we don’t recommend it) or throwing your soccer ball into a brick wall to try to break up the leather and soften the tips, or other strategies people in the have tried the past.

Final touch!

If you were just looking for the simple step by step process on how to break in a new leather soccer ball, we definitely hope this helped narrow down the process better for you and answered some questions you might have had.

However, if after reading this your arm, shoulder or wrists are already starting to hurt just thinking about going through this process, then head over to our Ball Breakers and get a broken football today!

The kids all left the soccer balls out in the rain, they weigh a ton now, which is fine with me or you, but not good for a five year old. We’re talking about cheap O’Neills balls and other leather footballs. Can they dry out, what can I do?

If there is indeed water in the rubber tube of the soccer balls, proceed as follows. Buy a valve, put it in the soccer ball and let all the air out. When the air comes out, hold the soccer ball with the valve pointing towards the ground. The water should come out in case something got caught in it. Sometimes water can get in. I don’t know how, but it happens. When you pump the balls back up. Leave them on the bottom of the heat press or somewhere warm and they should dry. Don’t expose them to too much heat. When you give footballs new, completely new air, you rejuvenate them and they become lighter. But try to put them in a warm place to dry.