Every time I watch my son work on his baseball practice, I can still hear the notes to “Take Me Out to The Ball Game.” Baseball caps are the number one type of cap worn not only in the US but also in other countries. Caps come in many different styles and colors. You can search almost anywhere and find a cap with your favorite team’s logo on it. Caps can also promote a specific company, program, or brand. Even football teams wear baseball-style caps throughout their victory in a playoff game or the almighty Super Bowl.
But I bet you didn’t know they’re for more than just looks, right? The truth is that these popular caps have relevance for training and exercises. Seriously, walk past any baseball training session and every head on the field has a cap.
Have you ever wondered why baseball players wear caps? Obviously, the cap tells you which team the player is on and shows the loyalty of the fans in the stands. But this is not the main duty of the cap. Caps have the primary duty of keeping the sun out of your eyes when you’re trying to catch that pop fly. They can also prevent sweat from getting on your forehead and running into your eyes.
Technology has caught up with baseball caps these days. Caps are now designed to keep your head cool using evaporative cooling technology. This is important especially on those lazy and foggy summer days during baseball games and baseball drills. Evaporative cooling technology helps keep players cool in the sun for greater concentration and less stress. A player with his head in the game is as good as gold. A moment of distraction is all it takes to miss a ground ball or pop fly.
This cooling effect is also important when wearing batting helmets. Batting helmets are worn when a player is at bat and anytime they are on base. This is for safety reasons and stems from an injury suffered by Tony Conigliaro many years ago before helmets were mandatory in MLB. He was hit in the head by a thrown ball and seriously injured. During baseball practice, the baseball cap is worn under the helmet for a couple of reasons. One is to keep the player fresh and focused. The other reason is to keep the helmet steady on your head.
In addition to their value as part of the uniform, many companies use caps as a marketing tool. Free plugs are given out on sales calls as a way to promote the company name and/or brand. There are stores that will actually design a custom cap for you with just about anything you want. Whether you wear one during baseball drills or just to protect your eyes while watching from the stands, baseball caps are a great way to show your team loyalty or advertise your company.