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A baseball hat is as synonymous with the game as a bat, glove, or ball. In the past decade, though, the caps have changed a bit, and the real question that is often asked is, do MLB players wear low crown hats?
The answer is – yes. Some of them do wear low crown hats. New Era, the manufacturer who provides all of the hats for all thirty teams that comprise the National and American Leagues, offers both options for the players who can choose their preference.
So how do players decide which kind of profile hat they want to wear? Well, overall that seems to be the personal preference of the individual.
Low Crown Vs. High Crown Hats
The crown of the hat is the top portion of the cap that sits on your head. It is connected to both the brim and the crease of the hats. Hat crowns are generally made by sewing together four to six triangular portions of fabric, from bill to peak.
What exactly is the difference between a low crown and a high crown hat? You may have heard of them being called low or high profile, but it means the same thing. A high crown (profile) that is taller and the hat’s peak is more square.
A low crown (profile) hat is shorter, fits directly to the head. This style often gives the wearer a cleaner, sharper look. A high or traditional crown (profile) hat sits above the top of the head, making the hat look larger and allowing more headroom.
The 59Fifty Fitted Hat – The Hat The Pros Wear
Since 1920, New Era makes the MLB hats, and all players wear either the high crown or low crown 59Fifty fitted cap.
The fitted hat sizing is as accurate as shoe size, so knowing the size of the head the hat is going on is vital. If even one size too small, it will be an uncomfortable fit, and if even one size too big, it will slide.
This is a closed-back hat, which is why it has to be fitted. Unlike other styles, there is no mechanism to adjust the size. It has a classic, structured shape, built for stability. The crown and the visor both change a bit according to if the pro player chooses the low crown or high crown hat.
- High Crown 59Fifty Unique Features
- Tall profile
- Has a square look
- Fits flatter heads
- Broader look
- A flat visor that is curvable
- Low Crown 59Fifty Unique Features
- Contoured Crown
- Round profile
- Streamlined style
- Pre-curved visor
- Fits directly on the head
Why A Player May Opt For Low Crown
So, players have presented both options, and they can choose if they get a high or low crown hat. How do they determine whether they want a low crown or high crown hat?
That seems to be mainly a personal preference. There is nothing on record anywhere stating that any teams require a specific crown height. If you look at the players throughout the MLB, you will see a mixture between the two crown heights.
It appears that the biggest driver of a player’s choice for a low crown hat is their style. New Era spokespeople have stated that the trend they can see is that the new, younger players seem to opt for the low crown hat, while many older veterans go for the more traditional high crown hat.
Many of the younger players who go for the lower profile hat seem to like the slick and stylish look better, giving the nod to their generation and the love of New Era design that has long been growing in popularity.
Related Questions
What does 59Fifty mean?
59Fifty is simply the name of the kind of hat that New Era designs for the MLB and the NFL. Though they make the official hats for them, New Era also makes multiple other 59Fifty fitted hats with logos for the NHL, NBA, NRL, ABL, and AFL.
They also have a hat with different logos and designs that have nothing to do with sports.
What are the differences between 59Fifty and 39thirty?
The 59Fifty are a fitted hat design, while the 39thirty use elastic material to be a stretchy fit. The 59Fifty comes in high and low crown heights, and the high crown comes with a flat visor. The 39Thirty comes in more traditional options.
Do MLB players get a new hat every game?
No, they do not. Many players are incredibly superstitious and would refuse a new hat if offered.
By the time their season draws to an end, many of the field hats are dirty and beat up. They may even have parts of them that have dried white crust of sweat on them.
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