Why Do Baseball Players Wear Eye Black

Eye black in baseball is more than just a mark of intimidation; it’s a strategic tool players use to reduce glare and improve vision on the field. Let’s delve into its purpose and effectiveness.

Baseball players wear eye black to improve their vision during games by reducing the glare of the sun or stadium lights. Eye black helps players see the ball better, which is essential in baseball. Whether a player is playing defense or inside the batter’s box, seeing the ball better to determine the ball’s velocity is vital to the player’s success.

In the early days of baseball, all types of substances were used in the grease to make eyes black. Some ingredients included burnt cork ash, shoe polish, and beeswax. Eye black is available today in grease, strips, and stickers. However, while eye black in grease form has been proven in studies to be effective in reducing glare from the sun, eye black strips and stickers have been proven to be ineffective.

What is eye black?

Eye black is a grease, strip, or sticker that baseball players wear under their eyes to reduce the glare of the sun or the stadium lights during a game. Baseball players must be able to see the ball well to judge the velocity of balls as a hitter and a fielder. Eye-glare products give some players the confidence that they have better vision and can see the ball better.

What is eye black made of?

Eye black was made of burnt cork and shoe polish by athletes in the early days but is now available as a grease or sticker. The original eye black was a grease made from beeswax, paraffin, and charcoal powder. 

Today’s eye black includes a variety of ingredients like vitamin E, oil, iron oxide, aloe, caffeine, menthol, skin conditioners, and other agents. The anti-glare stickers and strips, which studies have shown to be less effective, are generally made from a fabric with a matte finish.

Why do baseball players wear eye black

There are several reasons baseball players wear eye black during a game:

1. Eye black reduces glare 

Most baseball games are played outside in warm weather, and the sun is often a factor. The objective of wearing eye black is to reduce the glare from a player’s eyes.

Eye black is particularly helpful when players catch fly balls on a sunny day, and some batters feel more confident using eye black to see pitches better. Shadows can also be problematic for fielders and hitters, and eye black has proven effective in these situations.

2. It is used to look good

Some players wear eye black because it makes them feel cool and stylish. It is not uncommon to see players wearing eye black on cloudy days when the sun is not a factor.

While eye black has been proven effective at nullifying the effects of the glare from the sun, many players wear it because they feel it makes them look better. Wearing eye black has become part of the game-day routine for some big league players who feel more confident about their vision and ability to see the ball better when wearing eye black.

3. Psychological advantage

Wearing eye black gives some players more confidence in their ability to see the baseball better. This provides a psychological advantage during games as a defensive player and at the plate as a hitter.

The purpose of eye black is to mitigate the glare from the sun and stadium lights. But players who prefer to wear eye black also have increased confidence in their athletic abilities because they believe they have better vision. 

Does eye black work for baseball players?

Eye black works for some baseball players, while others prefer not to use the product. Some ball players use eye black because they feel it reduces the glare from the sun or stadium lights and improves their vision. But other players wear eye black because it makes them look cool or for superstitious reasons.

Studies have shown that the eye black from the original grease, which consisted of beeswax, paraffin, and carbon, effectively reduced the glare from sunlight. However, more than a few studies have debunked the belief that eye black stickers also reduce glare from the sun or stadium lights. Eye black has also been proven to be less effective for players whose eye color is blue.

When did baseball players begin using eye black?

Baseball players began using eye black in the 1930s when the Bambino, Babe Ruth, began using grease to reduce the sun’s glare during day games. The original eye black was believed to be made from the ashes of burnt cork.

Different types of eye black

The different types of eye black under the eyes of baseball players are grease, strips, or stickers. The majority of these products are anti-smear and have anti-glare properties. The grease products come in a tube or stick and can be easily applied to the skin, similarly to lipstick.

On the other hand, strips and stickers can be placed right on the skin and contain anti-glare properties. But studies have shown that these types of products are ineffective at reducing the glare from the sun or stadium lights.

How do baseball players wear eye black?

Baseball players wear eye black by applying a thick line on each cheek, about half an inch below their eyes, and centered so that the middle aligns with their pupils.

Are there rules in place that ban eye black?

There are no rules in place that ban eye black, but players are forbidden to write anything on their eye black. The NCAA has banned all writing on a player’s eye black, and players who wear “eye black” must use solid black with no words, logos, numbers, or other symbols. The NFL has had the same restrictions for decades regarding players marking their uniforms, including eye black strips.

FAQ

Improved vision or fashion statement

Baseball players wear eye black for better vision to see the baseball better. Whether it is a sunny day at the ballpark or a night game with bright stadium lights, some ball players use eye black to feel more confident in their ability to see the baseball by reducing the glare on their cheek. But some players like wearing eye black because it makes them look cool.