Editing Baseball cap

{{Short description|Type of soft, billed hat}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2017}}
[[File:Basecap New York Yankees.jpg|thumb|A [[New York Yankees]] baseball cap]]
A '''baseball cap''' is a type of soft [[cap|hat]] with a rounded crown and a stiff bill<ref name="bill">{{Cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bill|title=Definition of Bill by Merriam Webster|access-date=2019-12-02|website=Merriam Webster|series=bill noun (1) definition 4}}</ref> projecting in front.<ref name="clair">{{cite web |last1=Clair |first1=Michael |title=The history of the baseball cap: The long, strange history of the baseball cap |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/featured/baseball-cap-history-and-timeline |website=MLB.com |publisher=Major League Baseball |access-date=24 June 2023 |date=9 May 2023}}</ref>

The front of the hat typically displays a design or a [[logo]] (historically, usually only a sports team, namely a [[baseball]] team, or names of relevant companies, when used as a commercial marketing technique). The hat may be "fitted" to the wearer's head or the back may have [[Stretch fabric|elastic]], a [[plastic]] prong-in-a-hole (multiple holes with one prong that can be inserted), [[Hook and loop fastener|Velcro]], a [[zipper]], or a [[tri-glide slide]] so that it can be quickly adjusted to fit different wearers' heads. The baseball hat is a part of the traditional [[baseball uniform]] worn by players, with the brim pointing forward to shield the eyes from the sun. Since the 1980s, varieties of the hat have become prevalent in the [[United States]] and many other nations, both for utilitarian (protecting the eyes from the sun) and fashion accessory purposes.<ref name="clair"/>

== History ==
[[File:1863 Harry Wright.png|thumb|upright|Baseball player [[Harry Wright]] wearing a cap, circa 1863]]
In 1860, the [[Brooklyn Excelsiors]] wore the ancestor of the modern rounded-top baseball cap, which featured a long peak and a button on top, and by 1900, the "Brooklyn-style" cap became popular.<ref name="USAToday">{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2006-07-25-cap_x.htm|title=Baseball cap has endured generations as the all-American hat|access-date=2014-04-26}}</ref> The merino cap topped with a star-like pattern was made by the New York sporting goods company [[Andrew Peck (businessman)|Peck & Snyder]].<ref name="clair"/>

In the late 1880s, a [[Pillbox hat|pillbox]] version of the cap became popular, which would morph into the modern six-paneled round cap; five teams revived the pillbox form in 1976 in celebration of the US Bicentennial. Team monograms first appeared in 1894 when the Boston Baseball Club (the [[Boston Braves]]) — now the [[Atlanta Braves]] — became the first team to wear letterforms when they added a monogram-style device to their caps, followed by three more teams in the next season. The [[Detroit Tigers]] of 1901 were the first major league team to have a mascot — a red tiger on a dark background — on their ballcap. It was replaced by the letter "D" in 1903, and their iconic [[blackletter]] letterform appeared a year later.<ref name="clair"/>

During the 1940s, latex rubber became the stiffening material inside the hat and the modern baseball cap was born. The peak, also known in certain areas as the "bill" or "brim", was designed to protect a player's eyes from the sun. Typically, the peak was much shorter in the earlier days of the baseball hat. Also, the hat has become more structured, versus the overall "floppy" cap of the 19th and early 20th centuries.<ref name="clair"/> The baseball cap was and still is an important means by which to identify a team. Often the logo, [[mascot]], team's, city or country initial was placed on the cap. Usually, the cap was also fashioned in the official colors of a particular team.

Since 1993, the [[New Era Cap Company]] of Buffalo, N.Y. has been the exclusive baseball cap supplier for Major League Baseball.<ref name="clair"/>

The basic shape, including curved peak, is similar to some styles of 19th-century sunbonnets.<ref name=bonnet>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3660333.stm BBC – Happy 59th, baseball caps] 18 December 2008</ref>

== Design ==
[[File:baseball cap.jpg|thumb|A simple baseball cap]]
Fitted baseball hats — those without an adjuster — are normally sewn in six sections, and may be topped with a matching fabric-covered [[button (clothing)|button]] (also called a squatchee) on the crown. Metal grommets or fabric eyelets are often sewn or attached near the top of each of the six sections of fabric to provide ventilation. In some cases, the rear sections of the crown are made of net-like mesh material for extra ventilation. The peak is typically stiffened by a sewn-in piece of [[paperboard]] or stiff plastic.

=== Variations ===
Baseball hats are made of many types of material and shaped in various styles for different purposes. Major and minor league baseball players wear classic-style hats made of [[wool]] (or more recently, [[polyester]]) with their team's simple logo and colors; the logo is usually [[Embroidery|embroidered]] into the fabric. More recently there are brands that are using uncommon materials for snapback hats as for example wood brims.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.capcollectors.com/feature/want-wooden-brim-strapback-weve-got-covered/|title=Want a wooden brim strap back? We've got you covered|last=Dabrowiecki|first=Jamie|date=2016-11-07|access-date=2018-02-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205001046/https://www.capcollectors.com/feature/want-wooden-brim-strapback-weve-got-covered/|archive-date=2018-02-05|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Formerly, baseball hats only came in standard hat sizes. Since the early 1970s, they have also been available in a one-size-fits-all form, with an adjustment strap in the back. The style, commonly called snapback, has become increasingly popular as a fashion accessory,<ref name="men's fashion">{{cite web|url=http://www.mensfashionmagazine.com/mens-fashion-trend-snapback-caps|title=Mens Fashion Trend: Snapback Caps|access-date=2014-04-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427233748/http://www.mensfashionmagazine.com/mens-fashion-trend-snapback-caps|archive-date=2014-04-27|url-status=dead}}</ref> as have team caps, popularized especially by rap and hip-hop musicians.<ref name="clair"/> Advances in textiles have led to the "stretch-fit" hat, which uses Lycra or rubber to allow a hat to have a fitted style while still being "adjustable" within sizes.

The front may be soft, or may be stiffened by [[buckram]] to display a logo more clearly.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://threadlogic.wordpress.com/2012/12/20/whats-the-difference-between-a-constructed-and-an-unconstructed-cap/|title=What's the difference between a constructed and an unconstructed cap?|last=Taxdahl|first=Jeff|date=2012-12-20|access-date=2017-01-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107101605/https://threadlogic.wordpress.com/2012/12/20/whats-the-difference-between-a-constructed-and-an-unconstructed-cap/|archive-date=2017-01-07|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Another version of the baseball hat is a plastic mesh hat with a foam front imprinted with a company logo. This style is sometimes called a [[trucker hat]] or a "gimme hat" because it is given away for free as a promotional item.

There are 4 major types of baseball hats:
{{anchor|Snapback (hat)}}
# Snapback hat – (hat with a snap closure in the rear) with flat brim, high profile, adjustable.
# Adjustable hat – (hat with a velcro closure or buckled strap in the rear) unstructured, low profile, curved brim, adjustable.
#"Flexfit" hat – curved or flat brim, structured cap, high profile, adjustable by the use of elastic materials.
# Fitted hat – curved or flat brim, structured cap, high profile, unadjustable.

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| image1            = Pohled zezadu (snapback čepice).jpg
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| caption1          = Snapback baseball cap
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| caption2          = [[Trucker cap]]
| image3 = SF Giants Baseball Hat 4 2019-05-06 (cropped).jpg
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| caption3 = Flexfit-style baseball cap with the [[San Francisco Giants]] logo
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| caption4 = Fitted baseball cap with the [[Montreal Expos]] logo
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== Athletic use ==
{{Expand section|date=October 2020}}
[[File:Pasquantino2.jpg|thumb|Baseball players wearing caps; the player in red wears a [[batting helmet]]]]
In the sport of [[baseball]], the cap is an important part of the uniform which, in addition to its protective function, identifies a team. Often the logo, [[mascot]], team's, city or country initial is placed on the cap.

In 2014, the [[MLB]] began allowing [[pitcher]]s to wear a special reinforced hat to protect their heads from line drives.<ref name="dailynews">{{cite web|url=http://m.nydailynews.com/1.1594040|title=MLB approves protective cap for pitchers in time for 2014 season|website=[[New York Daily News]]|access-date=2014-04-26}}</ref>

In some sports baseball caps are also used on the field. In [[softball]] baseball caps are mandatory for men but optional for women.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2022-2025, OFFICIAL RULES OF SOFTBALL, FAST PITCH |url=https://static.wbsc.org/assets/cms/documents/b5480455-60e2-bfc3-1e2e-3566c2765cc5.pdf}}</ref> In [[limited overs cricket]] teams have opted to wear baseball caps, rather than more traditional [[Cricket cap|cricket caps]]

Athletes in other sports wear hats with their team's logo and colors as "sideline" hats; both types are also sold as authentic team merchandise in retail stores. Other hats may simply have a maker's logo, such as [[Reebok]], [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] or [[Carhartt]]; these hats are often made of brushed [[cotton]].

[[File:Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix (12)(cropped).JPG|thumb|upright|[[Pirelli]] Podium Caps worn by drivers at the [[2011 Hungarian Grand Prix]]]]
In many forms of [[motorsport]], a baseball cap with the logo of the series’ [[tire|tyre]] supplier will be given for the top 3 finishing drivers to wear during the [[podium]] ceremony.

== Professional use ==
=== Military ===
{{See also|Patrol cap}}

[[File:US Navy 040527-N-4104L-001 Guided missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59), Commanding Officer, Cmdr. William Kearns III, communicates with his combat information center.jpg|thumb|Baseball caps worn by naval officers from the US, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines]]
Although the patrol cap is common in the [[United States Armed Forces]], some sections use baseball caps as part of their uniforms instead, usually with [[combat uniform]]s. They sometimes have a command logo on the front to denote command affiliation. Alternatively, the cap may have the wearer's rank on the front, if an officer. Baseball caps of a particular color are worn to denote a specific function of a person or particular job. For example, in the [[United States]] [[submarine]] force, red baseball caps are worn by drill monitors who facilitate and critique members of the boat's crew during drills. In the [[United States Army]], [[parachute rigger]]s wear red baseball caps and parachute instructors wear black baseball caps as part of their uniform. In various squadrons of the [[United States Air Force]]'s [[Civil Air Patrol|civilian auxiliary]], squadron-distinctive baseball caps have been issued as headgear (or "cover") for the [[Battle Dress Uniform]], typically displaying squadron colors, squadron number, and/or squadron patch. Although the BDUs have their own cover, a [[patrol cap]] in [[M81 Woodland]] pattern, some squadrons have opted for more distinctive covers.

=== Police ===
{{See also|Uniform#Police}}
There has been a marked trend in recent years among police forces throughout the world to substitute inexpensive and comfortable baseball caps, replacing [[Peaked cap|peaked caps]] and other traditional headdresses. The baseball cap is already commonly used by [[private security companies]] as a low cost, practical piece of uniform headgear. Particularly heavily armed police units around the world, including [[SWAT]] in the United States and the [[Metropolitan Police]] [[Specialist Firearms Command]] in the UK, often wear baseball caps to shield their eyes from the sun where a full helmet would be excessive.

==== Finland ====
The [[Police of Finland|Finnish Police]] uses a baseball cap, which has mostly replaced the traditional [[side cap]]. It is marked with the police emblem and "Police" in Finnish and Swedish.{{Cn|date=March 2023}}

==== Slovenia ====
In [[Slovenia]], policemen on motorcycles wear baseball caps as a part of their uniform, when they remove the helmet.

==== Spain ====
*The [[Civil Guard (Spain)|Civil Guard]] switched from Teresiana caps (a Spanish military cap similar to a [[Kepi]]) to baseball caps in 2011 to 2012 (Only survive the [[Tricorne]] for Galas and Representation).

*The [[National Police Corps (Spain)|National Police]] uses a baseball cap, which has mostly replaced the Peaked caps in 2009 (except for Galas and Representation).

*The [[Municipal police (Spain)|Local Police]] uses a baseball cap, which has mostly replaced the Peaked caps in 2008 (except for Galas).

*In [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country]], The [[Ertzaintza]] uses a baseball cap, which has mostly replaced the [[Beret|Berets]] in 2010 (except for Galas and Representation).

*In [[Navarre]], The [[Policía Foral|Chartered Police of Navarre]] uses a baseball cap, which has mostly replaced the Berets in 2012 (except for Galas and Representation).

*In [[Catalonia]], The [[Mossos d'Esquadra]] uses a baseball cap, which has replaced the Peaked caps in 2023, after 40 years in use.

==== Turkey ====
[[Turkish police]] switched from peaked caps to baseball caps in the 1990s.

==== United Kingdom ====

In the United Kingdom, the baseball cap has the additional advantage of being unisex and suitable for wear by both male and female officers. Throughout 2017, the Northamptonshire, Cheshire and Lancashire police forces adopted specially strengthened baseball caps known as "[[Bump Cap]]s", to replace the helmets and bowler hats previously worn.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harley |first=Nicola |title=Police swap helmets for caps to attract more transgender officers |publisher=The Telegraph |location=United Kingdom |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/10/police-swap-helmets-caps-attract-transgender-officers/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/10/police-swap-helmets-caps-attract-transgender-officers/ |archive-date=2022-01-12 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |date=10 May 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> However, the Northamptonshire force announced in November 2018 that their "Bump Caps" had proven scruffy and unpopular, and would be withdrawn from use.<ref>''Northamptonshire Chronicle & Echo'', 15 November 2018</ref>{{page needed|date=April 2025}}

<gallery mode="packed">
File:WMP museum - Police baseball cap 01.jpg|A typical British police baseball cap on display at the [[West Midlands Police Museum]] in [[Sparkhill]] Police Station, [[Birmingham]], [[England]]
File:Cyfrif_Etholiad_2017_Election_count,_Llandudno_01_(cropped1).jpg|Baseball caps of [[North Wales Police]] displaying the word POLICE in English and Welsh
File:PSNI_Cap_front.jpg|A dark green cap of the [[Police Service of Northern Ireland]]
</gallery>

==== United States ====
In many United States police forces, the baseball cap is worn as a more practical alternative to the traditional [[peaked cap]] or [[campaign hat]], the latter of which is generally used by [[Sheriffs in the United States|Sheriff's]] departments and [[State police (United States)|state police]] forces. Baseball caps are more common on the [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]], whereas in eastern states, the traditional peaked cap is more prominent. A notable exception is the [[San Francisco Police Department]], where peaked caps are still worn regularly.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-11 |title=Never 51 Classic Baseball Cap |url=https://freenorthclothing.ca/blogs/news/never-51-why-canada-stands-strong-independent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322052133/https://freenorthclothing.ca/blogs/news/never-51-why-canada-stands-strong-independent |archive-date=2025-03-22 |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=Free North - Never 51 |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Baseball|Fashion}}
* [[Baseball clothing and equipment]]
* [[Baseball uniform]]
* [[Beanie (seamed cap)]]
* [[Cricket cap]], a similar cap in a similar sport
* [[Flat cap]]
* [[Kepi]]
* [[List of hat styles]]
* [[List of headgear]]
* [[Trucker hat]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Baseball caps}}
*[https://www.mlb.com/news/featured/baseball-cap-history-and-timeline Baseball cap history and timeline] from [[Major League Baseball]]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3660333.stm "Happy 50th Baseball caps" – BBC News]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071106095435/http://shop.mlb.com/sm-sports-cap-buyers-guide--bg-222844.html Types of caps and related terminology]

{{Baseball}}
{{Hats}}
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