Baseball is known for its traditions, from the seventh inning stretch to the singing of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” But one of the most interesting and unique traditions is the colorful belts worn by Major League Baseball (MLB) players. While some fans may not give them a second thought, the different colored belts are actually steeped in tradition and have become a beloved part of the game.
The History of MLB Belts
The history of belt wearing in baseball dates back to the late 1800s. Back then, players wore suspenders to keep their pants up, but when they ran the risk of being snagged on the fence or on the bases they needed a better solution. That’s when the belt was invented. According to baseball historian John Thorn, the first mention of a belt in a major league game was on June 15, 1890.
In the early days, belts were made of leather and players would often dye them different colors. This was so they could easily be spotted on the diamond by their teammates. While the practice of dyeing belts was eventually discontinued, the tradition of wearing different color belts remained.
The Meaning Behind the Colors
Today, MLB players wear a variety of colored belts, with each color having a specific meaning. While some teams have their own set of colors, most adhere to the following:
White Belts: White belts are traditionally worn by pitchers, as it helps umpires easily identify them on the field.
Orange Belts: Orange belts are worn by catchers, as it helps them stand out from the other players.
Green Belts: Green belts are worn by infielders, as it helps them stand out and be easily seen by their teammates.
Blue Belts: Blue belts are worn by outfielders, as it helps them stand out and be easily seen by their teammates.
Red Belts: Red belts are worn by designated hitters, as it helps them stand out and be easily seen by their teammates.
Yellow Belts: Yellow belts are worn by pinch hitters, as it helps them stand out and be easily seen by their teammates.
The Colors Today
Today, the tradition of wearing different color belts is still practiced in MLB. Some teams have adopted a “uniform” color for their players, while others have embraced the tradition and use a variety of colors. Either way, the colorful belts are still a beloved part of the game and a reminder of its rich history.
Conclusion
The colorful belts worn by MLB players are a beloved part of the game and a reminder of its rich history. While the tradition of wearing different color belts dates back to the late 1800s, the meaning behind each color still remains the same. White is worn by pitchers, orange is worn by catchers, green is worn by infielders, blue is worn by outfielders, red is worn by designated hitters, and yellow is worn by pinch hitters. Today, some teams have adopted a “uniform” color for their players, while others have embraced the tradition and use a variety of colors. Either way, the colorful belts are still a beloved part of the game and a reminder of its rich history.