The classic American sport of baseball has gone through plenty of important changes since it first became a craze in New York in the 1850s. While rules and regulations shift with each passing year, some of the most noticeable alterations occur with the uniforms the players wear. Until the 1990s, it was quite common for players to wear baseball stirrups. Though the MLB no longer requires it, intramural players and smaller leagues around the world still use these accessories for various reasons. Learn more about stirrups and baseball socks with these interesting bits of info.
The Origin of Stirrups
To better understand why stirrups were used in the first place, you need to understand what was fashionable for men at the turn of the 20th century. Most men wore knickerbockers, a type of baggy-knee trouser, which did not cover the full length of the leg. Stirrups are socks without a bottom, instead having a loop where the foot sits. Players would wear basic white socks with stirrups depicting the colors of their teams over the sock to create a distinct look. In fact, this is how teams like the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox got their names.
No Longer Common
Though players wore baseball stirrups throughout decades of the sport’s history, shifts in fashion began to cause disruptions. In the 1980s, it was common for players to stretch out the loops on their stirrups so much that very little of the article could be seen over the white sock. Since the guidelines of the MLB dictates all players on the same team must have a uniform appearance, this caused controversy in the baseball world. The former manager of the Chicago Cubs was known to measure the stirrups of each player to ensure they were wearing the item correctly and uniformly.
Despite the pushback against the way players were wearing stirrups, most managers found the issue too minor to worry about. What’s more, the official rules of the MLB do not refer to stirrups specifically. In the 90s, baseball pants became longer and less of the sock was on display. Now, it is commonplace to see a mix of styles on the baseball diamond, with some players prominently wearing socks with stirrups and others are wearing longer pants.
Find Your Look
Though the current athletic fashion trends might be different than the past, a vast majority of people associate stirrups with baseball. If you’re looking for simple ways to add a uniform look to your intramural baseball or softball team, Socks Rock can help. Custom socks and stirrups can add a lovely touch to your current uniform by prominently displaying the unique colors associated with your team. This creates a sense of solidarity among your players and can help them feel more prepared for your next game.
In order for you to get started, take advantage of the customization tools provided by Socks Rock. This will help you discover how you can create unique baseball stirrups and socks that make your team easy to identify. In no time, you will be ready to hit the field with your players and score a home run for fashion.
