Taking care of sports equipment is an integral part of the success you'll have. Every sport has something they have to inspect to ensure their game will perform at the highest level.

Tennis players have to monitor tennis racquets, hockey players, sticks, pads, and skates. Football players have safety equipment like the helmet to inspect for flaws that may cause harm if not inspected.

Baseball players have gloves that need care in many different ways. Leather gloves have been around for over a hundred years. The designs keep getting better because there is always room for improvement.

Being that they are leather also means they aren't bulletproof. The leather can dry out and crack if not looked over and maintained adequately.

Glove oil isn't just for maintaining the shape of the pocket; it should be used throughout the entire glove, especially the laces.

The drying can cause the leather to break more quickly. Every year, we see another broken glove on the field. The finger breaks away from the webbing due to the lacing not being monitored.

The laces and the tensile strength are what give the glove its function. The laces make it a functional glove, so they must be inspected and maintained. Without them, you just have a piece of leather on your hand.

Storage of the glove is equally essential to maintain the glove's shape. The glove will sit differently than an infield glove, and it should never be laid down on its backing.

Storing an infield glove in a bag can be tricky. Laying an infield glove down incorrectly will put unwanted creases in the pocket, which lessens its feel for transfers and most in-game uses. I've seen specific glove cases or a pocket protection filler that helps maintain its natural shape while transporting the glove.

Taking care of the glove in baseball is often overlooked by many players, which can be a safety hazard. Parents of youth players should always inspect the glove and get their young player to create a habit of doing so to make sure it's well conditioned and ready for play.