When you’re follically challenged as I am, (I’m bald, OK? I’ve accepted it.) there are things that become necessary parts of your daily routine. You can either become closely acquainted with sunscreen to protect your Q-ball-like dome, or you can use it as an excuse to wear your favorite team and/or brand everywhere you go with a baseball hat. I choose the latter to prevent cranial melanoma.
A baseball hat will tell people a lot about your personality. The logo situated directly above your eyes will be one of the first things people see when they meet you. Where are you from? How loyal of a person/fan are you? Of course, people can always make assumptions about you by just looking at the hat on your head. If you’re wearing a New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox hat on the West Coast, you can’t be upset if you get called a frontrunner. There’s a certain connotation that comes with every team and you’re accepting that by putting their hat on your head. Mostly, I get sympathetic looks when I wear a Seattle Mariners hat away from the Pacific Northwest.
Part of what’s so great about the baseball hat is its versatility in wear. You can always go with the classic forward look, my favorite way to go. It blocks the sun out of your eyes, keeps the rain off your face and gives you a few extra inches of clearance if somebody gets in your face. I prefer a fitted hat. The clean band all the way around feels nice. But because of the available styles and adjustability, the return to fashion of the snapback hat is starting to appeal to me more and more.
You can turn it around and go backward for the Ken Griffey Jr. look. Not only do you look cool but you can wear a catcher’s mask. I realize this isn’t an everyday task for most people, but for some reason, it’s become one in my house. The man-cub likes to practice his pitching and thinks I need to look like a catcher. Oh, by the way, he’s in t-ball.
Don’t wear it sideways. Ever.
Your baseball hat can be a symbol to show respect, disgust, or a place to hide your face. Send your acknowledgment as you give a subtle tip if the bill with the nod of your head, or give it a slight tug with your index finger and thumb. You can also wave it high above your head to acknowledge those who are showing you respect. Show your deepest respects by placing your hat over your heart. Of course, you can also show disrespect or display your disgust by throwing your hat on the ground like Lou Piniella. Your hat can be your best friend in a moment of despair as it covers your face and absorbs your tears into its crown.
As someone who wears a baseball hat nearly every day, I’ve gotten quite attached to them. My size 7 1/2 has become as much part of my wardrobe as my shoes. I represent my roots and passion for my favorite sport by wearing my New Era 59/50, all while protecting my chrome dome from the sun.
What’s your favorite hat? How do you wear it? Let us know in the comments how you show everyone you’re a baseball fan.
