The baseball hat is a symbol of the sport of baseball, but has in more recent times become a fashion statement, which has not only increased the popularity of the sport of baseball through awareness to the general population but become part of culture in Japan and the United States in particular, which is where the sport is most popular. The baseball hat is a simple design, also known as a sun hat in some countries for the protection that it offers from the sun with its visor or bill. The bill, usually flat but sometimes curved, can be worn at any angle of the wearer's preference but is traditionally worn facing forwards.

Baseball hats are also worn in other sports from time to time. It can be said that baseball hats increase concentration by restricting the peripheral viewing angles of the wearer. Indeed many tennis players wear a form of the baseball hat. Baseball hats can also be used for a sponsor's advertising purposes. For example in Formula One, when the drivers are giving interviews at press conferences or are up on the podium at the end of the grand prix they are required to wear their teams baseball cap as this is the perfect opportunity for their sponsor to increase awareness of their company, brand or product.

Other forms derived from the baseball hat include golfer's hats, which have the similar bill design but often have a hollow cap to allow more freedom of movement for the golfer's hair, and of course welcome additional ventilation.

More baseball equipment: Baseball Shoes