Geneology of the Baseball Cap

The baseball cap originated from straw hats in the 1850's. The first team to wear baseball's first uniform was the New York Knickerbockers in 1849, which included the straw hat. The modern day baseball cap main characteristics emerged a few years later in a version made of merino wool. It was inspired as well by three different original versions: the boxy cap known as the college cap, the conventional triangular-sectioned cap known as the Boston cap and a soft crown cap (similar to a rain hat) that was called the base ball hat. The official name of the baseball cap that major league teams wear is called the "59Fifty." Base ball hats from Snyder's 1875 catalog.

An image of an advertisement in Spalding's Base Ball Guide from 1888. Prices ranged from 12 cents to 2 dollars per cap. The closet version to the baseball cap we know today is No. 11 the Jockey Shape Cap. This cap was fashioned after the caps worn in the horse-racing circuit.

1896 Spalding Boston Style Short Brim Baseball Cap

manufactured by Spalding Sporting Goods.

Spalding introduced the first stitched visor in 1903. The stitched visor created a longer-lasting cap that held the shape better.

1910-20’s D&M Maroon and Gray Baseball Uniform with short brim cap.

manufactured by Draper and Maynard Sporting Goods Company

In the 1940's the modern baseball caps started to be produced. The hats now have adjustable bands where as the original ones were elastic.

1961 hat worn by the American League Los Angeles Angels, with the halo on the crown. This cap was used through the 1970 season, after this the halo was removed and included in the team's logo.

Baseball cap worn by the Montreal Expos from 1969 to 1991. This cap is considered one of the most colorful worn in modern times.

Replica baseball caps from today manufactured by Majestic Athletic Baseball Products

In our day and age, you can get baseball caps with anything on them. The majority of people in the United States have worn a baseball cap at sometime in their life.

Wedding party baseball caps manufactured by the Rosemary Company

Designer baseball caps can be seen in most luxury stores and are a hot accessory.

Louis Vuitton Baseball Cap

2008

The baseball caps that we see today are still based on the same design as the traditional "59Fifty" cap. Everywhere you look you can purchase a baseball cap in the latest design and logos for your enjoyment. I look forward to see the new possibilities of design for the baseball cap in the future.