Famous baseball pants

About a century back players would sport loose baggy baseball pants, in most cases quilted or woollen. Over the years baseball uniforms have evolved and grown with the game. Among the factors that contributed to the constant evolution in baseball pant designs, player comfort and ease of movement were major concerns. Affordability was yet another issue.

Pantaloons worn by Knickerbocker Baseball Club members

Adult baseball pants as we understand were worn for the first time back in the year 1840. The team that introduced the concept, Knickerbocker Baseball Club wore a type of woollen pantaloons. These were considered as the best baseball pants in those days. These pants came with special layer of quilted layer. The idea then was to protect players while they run around the field. Over time players realized that though they were protected against falls and possible injuries; they were encased in ‘hot suits'.Can you imagine the condition of the players, especially on hot summer days!

The pantaloons worn by Knickerbocker Baseball Club members were fashionable in the sense that baggy style loose pants were considered as the ‘in thing' in those days. In practicality there were several instances of players tripping over and hurting themselves. The loose trousers tended to get entangled with the legs causing players to fall over. 

Over a period of time there were quite a few experimentations that led players to wear different styles and cuts of adult baseball pants. Initially players actually tried to gather the baggy folds and pin them while playing. But then this could never have been a long term solution!

Knickers - Cincinnati Red Stockings

The next real revolution in the history of baseball pants came when players and organisers realized that long pants weren't really suitable for playing the rough game. The first team to wear ‘knickers' with colored stockings beneath were Cincinnati Red Stockings; quite a few teams recognized the advantages of this new type of uniform. The best thing about the new way of sporting uniforms was that fans could distinguish between players of two different teams on the field. Over a period of time other teams came up with innovative designs to distinguish their uniform from that of other teams. Sports clothes took on a whole new meaning. Uniforms tended to become a particular team's identity on and off the field. It also encouraged a sense of togetherness and camaraderie among respective team members. This sense of uniqueness and ownership led to competition for betterment.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, teams and players have experimented with styles and designs. Some players wore long pants that though were fitting were tucked inside boots. Most teams have over the years developed their own signature uniforms. There are those who love the baggy style even today. Some prefer snug fitting knee length pants while others prefer the loos knee length shorts. All said and done baseball pants have grown and evolved with the game.