MLB next season will debut a new batting practice and Spring Training cap developed in collaboration with longtime partner New Era. The new polyester ProLight 59Fifty caps are said to be 26% lighter than the prior Diamond Era batting practice and Spring Training caps used from '13-17 while still maintaining structure, and feature beveled rubber badge logos heat-sealed on the caps as opposed to traditional embroidered ones. MLB and New Era called the ProLight 59Fifty the lightest-ever hat to be used on field. With the hat switch, eight teams -- including the Cardinals, Phillies, Rockies and Royals -- will debut new alternate logo designs. Eight other clubs, including the Yankees and Nationals, will have new color combinations. “We worked tirelessly with our internal product management team and consulted with a handful of MLB players and club equipment managers to create a cap that performs better on the field of play,” said New Era Baseball Business Unit Dir Tony DeSimone. MLB will continue to use New Era’s regular 59Fifty model for its official on-field caps for in-game play during the regular season and postseason.
