Help! Long-haired pitcher son can't keep hat on

Get a smaller hat or roll a paper towel and stick it inside the band. I can’t imagine that coaches aren’t annoyed by that.  Once or twice, but every pitch? Got to fix that.

One day my son got in the car with three sweat bands on both arms. I asked him why and he said "swag dad." I told him that if I was a college coach, I would get the impression that he thought he was the sh!t. I said that there was no way I would recruit him and that he was putting a target on his back that said, "I'm something special." I told him that if he did perform well that day than maybe some coaches would look past it. Then I asked him if 1 coach that day thought the way I did, why would you want to put yourself in a negative situation. By the time we got to the field all sweat bands were off.

I know if it's annoying to me, it's got to annoy them.  I should also mention that he often gets a new hat at the event he's playing in, such as when he's guest-pitching or showcasing.  We don't get a lot of chances to test it out.  The same size that always fit him before apparently doesn't work with longer hair.  So I can always have him get a smaller size, if they have it, even if he complains that it's tight.

Paper towel may work.  Maybe I'll experiment with that.  I'd probably also need something to secure it in place (stapler, adhesive tape), so he doesn't end up with the equivalent of toilet paper on the shoe.

I don't think swag is the issue.  He doesn't look like Jacob DeGrom or anything.  It's just that he's shaggy enough that the cap doesn't stay like it did when he had a cleaner look.  He's a cool kid and a dugout leader, which is probably why coaches haven't complained so far about the hat.

He's not the only kid with the problem either.  Shaggy seems to be in.  I don't care if the other kids' hats are flying off, though.  I just don't want my kid to be the one who distracts.

My son had the same problem a few years ago.  Didn’t fall off every time, but he had to adjust it after every pitch.  Once I saw him on a recruiting video, I asked “what’s more important, baseball or your fkn hair?”  

He went to the barber shortly there after.

Tell him not to wash his hair on game days.  (Only half kidding. Clean hair is more slippery than dirty.)

My son had cool nailed with a perfect 10. As a goalie leading his soccer team on to the field he wore sunglasses. In baseball he looked impeccable when he arrived at the field. He did one thing through age fifteen in travel ball and in high school I didn’t care for but tolerated. I told him it wouldn’t fly in 17u recruiting when he turned sixteen. He wore gloves in his back pockets to wave “bye” as he rounded the bases a la Mel Hall.

In LL all stars he hit a walk off homer. As he approached the plate and his teammates he gave his best Harry Callas “That ball is outta here!” The coach in the opposing dugout went nuts yelling at my son. It was completely spontaneous. It was his first over the fence homer. Through all stars “That ball is outta here!” became a team battle cry. 

Personally, I love that "outta here" behavior.  It's not hot dogging, it's just having fun with the game.  That kind of fun competitiveness is what makes everybody better.  Best to do it at the end of the game like that, though, because otherwise it can inspire in-game greatness in your opponent.

Rubber cement on inside rim...

Aqua net hair spray...turns to "glue" in high humidity...

a Wahl...

Seriously?????   Is he a ballplayer or "cool dude"? 

My son went through this......one" too close for comfort" come backer cured it.

I think he's shooting for "cool dude ballplayer," along the lines of Clayton Kershaw or Bryce Harper.  Come to think of it, the person I really need to answer this question is Clayton Kershaw.  Dude's got a straight-up coiffure, and I don't think I've ever seen his hat come off.

Yeah, my wife brought up the possibility of the "back-at-ya."  Hopefully he won't need that to fix it. I told him he needs to figure out something that works before this weekend.  Anyway, I knew there had to be other parents out there who experienced this, just because I see too many kids doing the same thing.

Clayton's performance the last 13 yrs had/has nothing to do with "hair" or trying toact "cool". 

He's more than special!  Signed for $2.3M in 2006... https://bleacherreport.com/art...-dodger-10-years-ago

If your son wants to emulate, study Clayton's mechanics, learn to think like a pitcher, a leader...study Clayton's character & work ethic. 

Long hair is a part of modern baseball culture. If a coach had a problem with hair I think it's a problem with the coach not the kid....

2019OF posted:

Long hair is a part of modern baseball culture. If a coach had a problem with hair I think it's a problem with the coach not the kid....

But the coach pursues the player not the other way around. 

No offense meant at all.... And, I'm not responsible for your interpretation of tone...My 1st comment suggested rubber cement or Aqua net!

Just saying there are more important things than looks, especially for athletes...So...Since the hair is a distraction,  it's might be time to talk turkey with him...What does he want folks/college recruiters to notice about him?...His K's & ERA??? Working his way out of a jam??...knowing how to read a batter??...becoming the team "ace"???... or having to put a hat back on?  

I agree with 2019OF about long hair being a part of modern baseball culture.  (If he really is a 2019 OF, then he should know.)   And my experience is that how you play matters a 1000x more than your hairstyle.  My word, how else did all these Bohemians break into the MLB??

Again, my preference is for tidy, old-school hair.  I wish every team looked like the Yankees, and every locker room smelled like Burma-Shave before game time.  That's not today's reality, though.

I don't like my kid having a mop-head.  And I tell him.  But it's his thing.  I don't let my kid curse, or treat women with disrespect, or vape, or do drugs, or accept mediocre grades, or not help when it's time to clean the kitchen.  But his hair?  Who cares?  Let him be his own guy.  

I just don't want his hat falling off when he pitches.  I draw the line on that.

Did your sons cap stay on when he had short hair? 

Yes, it did!  That's what's so screwy.  The cap size that normally fit him comfortably comes off since the hair grew this summer.  He says a smaller size is "definitely" uncomfortable.

I wish I could help but I  do not have a solution. I would like to know if you find one!!!!!!!!

Fair enough, Baseballmom.  I deleted my reply.  If I misinterpreted, it wouldn't be my first time.  Benefit of the doubt . . . 

I may be on to something.  He said just a few minutes ago when I was asking about it, "I don't push my hat down all the way."

Eh??????

Have you guys noticed kids doing this like I have?  I see them wearing their hats way up high on the head, making me imagine them as brontosauruses.  I thought his hair was pushing it up.  

Now I'm going to have to experiment.  It's raining now, but sometime this week, I'm going to have him go in the backyard and throw a few with his hat mashed down.  I never thought that a kid whose hat flew off all the time wouldn't have the sense to try mashing it down.

Do any of you have lefties, or are you a lefty?  I never had a lefty in my family until my son.  I find they are in a strange, magical world apart from the rest of us.

bjer posted:

I may be on to something.  He said just a few minutes ago when I was asking about it, "I don't push my hat down all the way."

Eh??????

Have you guys noticed kids doing this like I have?  I see them wearing their hats way up high on the head, making me imagine them as brontosauruses.  I thought his hair was pushing it up.  

Now I'm going to have to experiment.  It's raining now, but sometime this week, I'm going to have him go in the backyard and throw a few with his hat mashed down.  I never thought that a kid whose hat flew off all the time wouldn't have the sense to try mashing it down.

Do any of you have lefties, or are you a lefty?  I never had a lefty in my family until my son.  I find they are in a strange, magical world apart from the rest of us.

Wearing the hat high on their head is supposed to represent “D1 talent” from what I’m told.  It started a few years ago.

That's news to me.  How funny!  I guess it's something that only makes sense in the minds of underclassmen.

I've read a lot of the comments here to him, and we have an agreement.  When he's on the mound, the hat's mashed down.

Thanks for the input, all.  Didn't realize it was something so simple.

Go buy the insulation with paper on the back and glue for putting around windows.  The thin kind.  It will fit inside the band and will make it smaller.  Can put it only in one section or all the way around.

Mine has grown his hair out each school year and then had to cut it for Royals Scout Team each summer who has no hair touching collar or ears rule.  Not playing this summer with them so he has let it grow.  I was hoping UT would make him cut it but no go.  They like the "flow".  My only rule has been no man bun or braids.  He jokingly said I'm out of the house dad.  My choice now.   I smiled and said good.  I can take my car back and turn off the phone and stop paying payments on the apple watch and take my money out of your checking account.  He said just joking dad.  Got it.

I told mine if his hair got in his eyes or he kept having to adjust it I would cut it for him.  He always does a good job of keeping it under cap.  I don't think it affects recruiting because it is a norm thing now.  Never heard the D1 thing.  I will agree with others that some of the stuff the kids wear like over the top chains and wrist bands make them a target.  Not a fan of it but I'm old.

+1 to everything you said, Pitchingfan.  

That's interesting that the travel team enforces it.  I like your manager already.

I wonder what they would look like if we cut it for them.  Probably something like this . . .

Some kids definitely accessorize too much.  Once you add on the baseball sliding mitt (even though it's a smart thing), arm band, sunglasses, elbow pads, etc. etc., the chains and wrist bands are just over the top.  

One thing my son did that I liked, when I got him a custom glove, he didn't want his name or number on it.  No fancy colors or contrast stitching either.  Just a nice, subdued glove that looked like it was off the rack, other than a navy logo at the wrist and a higher quality leather.  Right on, kid.

things that make me throw up a little... 

No offense to OP, I have plenty of pics I could post of my kid playing early teens with a major mop.  Just personal preference.  Tatis - oversize color pop mirror glasses, big chain, dyed dreads, doo rag, oven mitt, open jersey, multi tone sleeves, and on and on...  can you imagine what the guys from 20 yrs ago, 40 yrs ago are thinking?  

Sorry, got off topic a bit.

All true.  Although I'm not sure the guys 20-40 years ago have room to talk on the hair.

Three suggestions: 

1.  Make sure he has the right sized hat.  Too large and it falls off.  Too small and it is never really on in the first place.  (So, getting a tighter hat won't work.)

2.  Show him how to put his hat on properly.  Too many kids just throw it on top of their head, leaving their bangs coming out in front.  That makes the hat slip off easily.  The proper way to put on a hat is to put the front of the inner band against your forehead, then pull it down over your head from front to rear.  The top mop then weighs against the front headband and actually holds the hat down.

3.  Ever video him with a slo-mo feature?  If frame-by-frame shows his head jerking downward or off to the side, part of his problem may be in his mechanics.  Head should remain upright, nose to the plate.  No head jerking.

It never dawned on me kids would have to be taught how to put on a baseball hat. But John Wooden started basketball practice with how to put on socks and tie shoes. Some coach in the southeast (Va Tech?) taught his players how to stand for the national anthem. 

MIDLO:  Good point on the head jerking.  Actually, that was his initial explanation for why it was coming off.  I think it's still a factor, but not the only one.  And thanks for the instruction on the hat.  I didn't grow up a baseball guy myself, so I wouldn't know, even though it's a simple thing.

RJM:  Interesting about John Wooden.  Any idea what his point was with that?  Was he making sure they pulled their socks all the way up for neatness?  Or is it more of a "make your bed first" sort of thing?

bjer posted:

MIDLO:  Good point on the head jerking.  Actually, that was his initial explanation for why it was coming off.  I think it's still a factor, but not the only one.  And thanks for the instruction on the hat.  I didn't grow up a baseball guy myself, so I wouldn't know, even though it's a simple thing.

RJM:  Interesting about John Wooden.  Any idea what his point was with that?  Was he making sure they pulled their socks all the way up for neatness?  Or is it more of a "make your bed first" sort of thing?

Both. But also to take care of their feet. 

Nothing of substance to add, except I HATE the flat bill look

bjer posted:

What does bother me, though, is that nearly every single pitch, no exaggeration, his hat flies off his head.  Then he picks it up off the ground, whips his Absalom locks back into place, and replaces his hat.  On to the next pitch.  Repeat.

 

Was he at the 15u NTIS Southeast Regional tryout on July 23/24? While I was waiting for the 16u's to begin, I saw one 15 y/o (with long hair) whose hat kept flying off with every pitch. I'm sure it's just an age thing, but I thought of your post when I saw it happening...

Tug Tide:  Ha ha!  Yeah, I can't go for that either!  First thing I do when I put my own hat on is bend down the bill.  Somehow that flat bill doesn't jibe with the shape of any human face.

Lanza:  No, he was not, but that's funny to hear about that.  I've seen a few kids out there with the same problem, though typically not as bad as it is with my kid.  The one you saw sounds just like him, though.  That poofy hair, along with the hat portion of what I now henceforth dub the "D1 Wannabe Habiliment," seems to be responsible for the problem.

I have a LHP in college and we were at a specific well known showcase and a certain Ivy coach said "If you play for me, you will have to cut your hair."  There are some old school coaches out there that do not like the flow, the swag, etc. -- they want a baseball player first and foremost and no other distractions.

Just saying.

And no my LHP does not play for that guy who said that, but for a different old school guy who would never say anything like that out loud I think, but wants his players to look like players, not models.

I would think something like that would slow down his rhythm. Son is a LHP. Already graduated in college but still playing in Men's leagues.  He has always like to work fast. Used to bother opposing hitters and coaches to no end in Travel ball. In college when he was on a roll, opposing coaches learned to have their batters step out of the box. Ask for time, anything to break his rhythm. 

He grew his hair out at one point, For one summer. Never had the problem you describe though. Never did it again though. One of the younger fans of the team asked why a girl was playing first base. 

I have no problem with old school coaches.  I don't mind if they make him trim his hair, and I would actually prefer that.

On the other hand, it's not hard to look around and see that scruffy players are everywhere, MLB and Ivy League included.   Perhaps if you're a borderline player and you're hoping for admission to Ultraconservative U., it's a good idea to stay trim just in case.  When it comes down to it for the vast majority of pro and college coaches, though, a hairstyle isn't a big enough distraction to reject a top recruit.  Otherwise, let's start telling guys like Tom Brady, David Beckham, and Henrik Lundqvist they should've learned to stop posing for the ladies and start playing ball.  Actually, I guess Henrik Lundqvist doesn't need to play ball.

As I've suggested previously, my kid's hair doesn't make him look like he's bohemian or transgender.  He's just scruffy.  He doesn't look that much different from most kids out there.  He likes it that way.  Whatever. 

Bishop:  Definitely a good point about the rhythm, and that's another point I'll pass on to him, too.

bjer posted:

... it's not hard to look around and see that scruffy players are everywhere, MLB and Ivy League included.   Perhaps if you're a borderline player and you're hoping for admission to Ultraconservative U., it's a good idea to stay trim just in case.  When it comes down to it for the vast majority of pro and college coaches, though, a hairstyle isn't a big enough distraction to reject a top recruit.  ...

I get what you are saying but I think you are underestimating the presence of old school HC's still running programs across the college ranks today who either look for, or require once they get there, kids who are reasonably clean cut and/or short cut.  Could make for an interesting topic.  There are obviously plenty of programs who have a lot of leeway in that regard but I definitely would question "vast majority".   

BishopLeftiesDad posted:

I would think something like that would slow down his rhythm. Son is a LHP. Already graduated in college but still playing in Men's leagues.  He has always like to work fast. Used to bother opposing hitters and coaches to no end in Travel ball. In college when he was on a roll, opposing coaches learned to have their batters step out of the box. Ask for time, anything to break his rhythm. 

He grew his hair out at one point, For one summer. Never had the problem you describe though. Never did it again though. One of the younger fans of the team asked why a girl was playing first base. 

I got reprimanded one time by AD and principal because the other Varsity HS team, rival, had a guy who had hair down below his shoulders.  My best player yelled out to another batter "Don't hit it to the girl at second."  I just turned around and gave him the cut it out sign and he said my bad.  Didn't think anything about it.  Until the next day when I got the call to come meet with AD and principal.  Found out the 2B's mom was on school board for the other school.  When they heard the whole story and saw a picture of the guy on social media, they laughed and said just don't do it again to the player.  He apologized to them and we moved on.  I was thinking he needs to play college ball if that offended him or his mommy.  I laughingly told the AD and principal who were both football coaches I better not hear of one of their players making fun of a kid on the other teams they play or I would call them into my office.  They laughed. 

cabbagedad posted:

bjer posted:

... it's not hard to look around and see that scruffy players are everywhere, MLB and Ivy League included.   Perhaps if you're a borderline player and you're hoping for admission to Ultraconservative U., it's a good idea to stay trim just in case.  When it comes down to it for the vast majority of pro and college coaches, though, a hairstyle isn't a big enough distraction to reject a top recruit.  ...

I get what you are saying but I think you are underestimating the presence of old school HC's still running programs across the college ranks today who either look for, or require once they get there, kids who are reasonably clean cut and/or short cut.  Could make for an interesting topic.  There are obviously plenty of programs who have a lot of leeway in that regard but I definitely would question "vast majority".   

Sure, maybe you're right.  And I agree it would make an interesting topic.  

As I continue to say, I like old school hair, old school everything.  It's a good subject for debate, though, as I think this thread has shown there are surprisingly strong opinions on the subject.   I think I've already figured out the solution to the problem for which I started this thread, so everyone's welcome to jump in on general baseball hair opinions, including its effect on recruitment!!

Pitchingfan:  Glad that one ended well! 

I would agree with vast majority.  There are very few programs that I have seen other than military schools that REQUIRE short hair and clean shaven.  I like it but again not worth fighting over. 

I have always been surprised that opposing coaches have not argued that the constant hat falling off is a distraction to his batters.  Has anyone ever seen this?  BTW......the hat coming off while pitching is a major pet peeve of mine!!!  It drives me crazy, and if it were my son I would do whatever it takes to keep that hat on his head when he pitches.   It looks childish and unskilled in my opinion.  

PitchingFan posted:

I would agree with vast majority.  There are very few programs that I have seen other than military schools that REQUIRE short hair and clean shaven.  I like it but again not worth fighting over. 

OK, Pitchingfan and BJER, for the sake of fun debate....

Thought I'd have some fun with this and do a little test... I wanted to pick something middle-of-the-road, something that should be fairly typical and likely representative of the whole.  So, I picked a mid level D1 conference, not too high or low on academic focus, not too far West or East, not ultra-conservative or ultra-liberal, and one I happen to have particular new interest in .  I give to you the Mid-American Conference....

I looked at each of the ten school baseball rosters via "list view" that shows head shots of each player for 2019.  8 of the 10 schools have ZERO players or coaches with hair longer than the neck lines of the jerseys.  The vast majority of those players are either completely clean shaven or have very well trimmed facial hair.  The other two schools have two players and three players respectively with hair longer than the neck line and four of those five, the hair is just barely to the neckline.  Again, the majority are clean shaven or well groomed and short on facial hair.  

You mean to tell me over 300 20ish year olds are all deciding on their own to keep themselves that clean cut with no influence from the program HC???  Look at the team shots.  Come on, really? 

To be honest, I was surprised to see it that far to the extreme of clean cut across the board.  This is the reality of college baseball today... right there in front of you, plain as black & white... or color, rather 

Yes, of course, there are countless exceptions.  But there are certainly plenty of coaches and programs who do have some influence/guidelines with regard to long hair.  To bring that back around, I'm sure that those coaches would prefer seeing HS recruits looking like future college players than not.

Okay, I like your thought process, Cabbage.  You may be on to something, and I have a feeling you're right overall.  

However, I would point out that, while the game day program may show a bunch of clean cut, freshly shaven boys, the reality may sometimes look like the pic below.  Notice the difference in the same Vandy Boy, one pic taken pre-season, the other mid-season, after a few late night study sessions and frat parties.  Kid's head didn't see a razor all season!  Or else, maybe he had a ponytail for his program pic.

Yup, definitely something to that... the picture day factor.  But, still, at least it was more likely that the HC said clean up for pics as opposed to mom 

Quite a lot of chin fuzz on some of those teams.  And, most were wearing hats, so you can't really tell what the hair is like, other than it's not long.  They do a lot with spiky hair on top of the head these days!  Do coaches object to that?

Hahaha... yeah, there are so many levels we can take this.  But you did bring up another good point.  The hats.  In those images, you will see an occasional flat but no crazy tilts, no bills off to the side, no inverted flats, no sitting high on top... a whole lot of traditional old school slight curve, straight forward and pulled down, worn like it's supposed to be.  Again, there's still a prevalence of convention and tradition.  It is still considered, in  college circles, proper respect for the game.  The "wear the uniform with pride and respect - you are representing..." speech is not uncommon at all.  If I have a young HS player working hard to open as many doors as possible... this is something I want to make sure he is aware of. 

bjer posted:

Okay, this is getting ridiculous.  My LHP 15u kid's been letting his hair grow all summer.  I'm cool with it, even though it looks like a mop.  Whatever.  Let him be his own guy, I say.  I personally sported New Wave hair in high school.  It's time to grow up soon enough.

What does bother me, though, is that nearly every single pitch, no exaggeration, his hat flies off his head.  Then he picks it up off the ground, whips his Absalom locks back into place, and replaces his hat.  On to the next pitch.  Repeat.

Personally I love the clean-shaven, tidily barbered look of the Yankees.  But knowing I can't sway my kid's opinion on this matter with talks of professionalism and respect for the game, I'm looking for solutions.  

Have any of you experienced the same problem, and found a solution?  At first he suggested he would turn the back of the hat up to help tighten it.  But either he forgets, or it doesn't work.  I've thought about getting an elastic band sewn inside his hat.  I've also wondered about making him wear one those skull caps you always see the NFL guys wearing on the sidelines.  On occasion, I've thought of making him borrow bobby pins or ribbons from his sister.  Anything that keeps that hat on.

We've got a game in front of lots of scouts next weekend, and I hope to avoid the distraction of the hair show.  Any suggestions are appreciated!

 

BJER - your post reminded me of my son (now 25) when he was about that age (14-15).   At the time he had hair not quite down to his shoulders.   Wife called it the "surfer dude" look - his hair was sort of blondish and in all honesty he did look like he'd be more comfortable on a surf board than a baseball field.   He did pitch from time to time, but I don't remember his hat constantly falling off when he pitched so I can't help you there.  I tried to find a pic of him at that time, could not find one.

A few weeks after making the Varsity squad as a sophomore, his hair was considerably shorter.   I don't recall if the coach ever said anything to him or had a rule about hair length, but I found it interesting that he got it cut that short (almost military).

Here's a high school pic (he's in the middle of the back row - #12)

Junior College:

D2 University (Regional Playoffs):

Cabbage:  I, for one, love it that the college game keeps it more traditional, and it sounds like that's the consensus here.  Sometimes I wish that tradition would spill over more into the pros.  But who knows, maybe it wouldn't appeal to the broader audience?  And I do agree that keeping the look from drawing attention would tend to open more doors.

Fox:  Thanks for sharing that!  Loved seeing the progression.  He was quite the Hoss by the time he reached D2, eh?  Post if you find the surfer dude pics.

cabbagedad posted:

PitchingFan posted:

I would agree with vast majority.  There are very few programs that I have seen other than military schools that REQUIRE short hair and clean shaven.  I like it but again not worth fighting over. 

OK, Pitchingfan and BJER, for the sake of fun debate....

Thought I'd have some fun with this and do a little test... I wanted to pick something middle-of-the-road, something that should be fairly typical and likely representative of the whole.  So, I picked a mid level D1 conference, not too high or low on academic focus, not too far West or East, not ultra-conservative or ultra-liberal, and one I happen to have particular new interest in .  I give to you the Mid-American Conference....

I looked at each of the ten school baseball rosters via "list view" that shows head shots of each player for 2019.  8 of the 10 schools have ZERO players or coaches with hair longer than the neck lines of the jerseys.  The vast majority of those players are either completely clean shaven or have very well trimmed facial hair.  The other two schools have two players and three players respectively with hair longer than the neck line and four of those five, the hair is just barely to the neckline.  Again, the majority are clean shaven or well groomed and short on facial hair.  

You mean to tell me over 300 20ish year olds are all deciding on their own to keep themselves that clean cut with no influence from the program HC???  Look at the team shots.  Come on, really? 

To be honest, I was surprised to see it that far to the extreme of clean cut across the board.  This is the reality of college baseball today... right there in front of you, plain as black & white... or color, rather 

Yes, of course, there are countless exceptions.  But there are certainly plenty of coaches and programs who do have some influence/guidelines with regard to long hair.  To bring that back around, I'm sure that those coaches would prefer seeing HS recruits looking like future college players than not.

You got me thinking and looked at UT where son is going.  There is only one in roster pics that has long hair and none really with facial hair.  BUT by playoffs the coach had a full beard and doesn't even look like the same guy and his hair is longer.  There were 7 with long hair and facial hair at the end.  Don't get me wrong.  I wish mine would cut his hair and I was hoping UT would make him cut it but neither seem to be going to happen.  I also agree that some coaches make them tuck it behind or put it in a band for team pics.  If that is his worst problem, I will count my blessings.  I went back and looked at the photos from the College world Series.  The %'s change drastically from beginning of season to the end of season so I wonder if some coaches have a rule that says you have to start with this but if we are winning I don't care.

The Royals made their players, summer scout team, have hair that did not touch ears or collar all summer long but got a little lenient in the fall.  No facial hair at the beginning of the summer. 

Wasn't it the 2013 Red Sox who all looked like homeless men by the time they won the Series?  I know they were all growing facial hair.  Pretty sure some of them didn't cut their hair.  And by the looks of it, many had not taken baths in months.  How's that for respecting the game?

It was the 2004 Red Sox. Their nickname was “The Idiots.”

From watching the NCAA post season and looking at rosters and profiles I was wondering if some of the college baseball teams picked up the NHL post season tradition ... no shaving and haircuts while your team is still active. On the other hand maybe coaches tell their players to clean up for profile pic day. Then there’s a few months before we start looking at most of them as the post season wears on. 

2004??  I must be getting old!  Feels like yesterday.

I guess my main issue with this "old school/short hair" argument is that it's largely based on faulty memory. When did these flat-top guys play, 60 years ago? Hairstyles have varied but you'd have to go back before the 1970s to find short hair consistently popular with young adults. If it's just "young guys should have short hair like the military", it's not what their role models have (except those of us who are bald) so not sure where they'd get that from. The whole discussion seems pointless.

And yeah, I wouldn't tell a hockey player he needs to shave, not unless you want to drop the gloves...lol

bjer posted:

Fox:  Thanks for sharing that!  Loved seeing the progression.  He was quite the Hoss by the time he reached D2, eh?  Post if you find the surfer dude pics.

Found one, though it's not of him pitching.  It's a team pic.   He's the 3rd from the right, front row.  Of all the kids in that pic, only 4 would go on to play varsity baseball.

Stranded:  You know, you make a good case.

Fox:  You must have been ecstatic when the locks came off.  But kudos to you for enduring it.  That's my philosophy, too, giving the kid freedom wherever you can on anything that's not a moral failing.  My kid's hair isn't nearly that long, more like the kid on the back row on the far right.  (Was the team barber David Crosby?)  But I'll still be glad for the day he gets tired of it.

bjer posted:

Stranded:  You know, you make a good case.

Fox:  You must have been ecstatic when the locks came off.  But kudos to you for enduring it.  That's my philosophy, too, giving the kid freedom wherever you can on anything that's not a moral failing.  My kid's hair isn't nearly that long, more like the kid on the back row on the far right.  (Was the team barber David Crosby?)  But I'll still be glad for the day he gets tired of it.

Actually, his long locks didn't bother me (I had hair nearly as long at about that age).  Like you we tried to give our children leeway on many things so long as it wasn't detrimental.  How else will they learn?  I have three daughters as well and three grandchildren (all from my oldest daughter who is 33).  And all my daughters played softball.

As I am sure you've been told, enjoy the ride.   We enjoyed the 15 years our son played ball from LL to HS to College.  He last played in 2015.  He will have his Bachelors this December (Yay!) and is contemplating going after his Masters (Physicians Assistant).  We still miss watching him play and driving by a ball game gives us some pangs, but time will heal all woulds (so they say).

Team barber?  Nah.  Though some parents probably wish we did have one.  LOL!

Cabbage - the pic below you might find fascinating.   Taken during the 2015 CIAA Championship game at the USA Baseball Complex in Cary (which his team won).   That's what I call "going for it!"

Fox Dad, that's a Sports Illustrated or ESPN shot!! Perfect "all or nothing"!

My rising soph son goes to a pretty strict Catholic HS, with specific hair length restrictions. So over the summer he has been letting his "flow" (I believe that is the correct vernacular) go. While he is more floppy Bieber than Hunter Wood, he has been experiencing the cap flips on the mound. Luckily he is on the bottom of the depth chart so it has not been a distraction

Thor. Just enjoy.

if it ain’t bothering him. Who cares

https://twitter.com/skylartmea...250835527479301?s=21

Read the comments as well. Several coaches weighed in.

I read this entire thread, but all I could hear was 'get off my lawn'.

Sultan:  

Update from me, the OP.  Kid played a show game this weekend in front of lots of college  and pro scouts.  Not his best performance, though it wasn't disastrous.   But . . .

The Hat Never Came Off!

Miracle!  So when he went to get his hat, he asked for a size Small.  The smallest they had was a Medium.  I think he was a little worried, as I'd told him if it comes off more than twice, he'd be getting a haircut on Monday.  Then I changed my mind, as I was afraid he would be more worried about the haircut than the batter, so I told him, don't worry, no matter what happens you're not getting a haircut.  Even so, we placed a velcro strip inside the lining, kind of similar to the idea BaseballHS suggested at the beginning.  And, not unimportantly, he mashed it down on his head.

I saw it moving a couple times.  But the thing never came off.  I feel like Sherlock, along with all of you, finally solving the mystery, though the answer lay in plain sight the whole time.  Thanks for sharing the Twitter feed, BaseballHS.  I had no idea it was such an epidemic.  

So if you see it happening on your team, or in your game, just yell:  "Mash the freakin' D1 hat down, bruh!!!!"  Problem solved.  Or if it isn't, get a smaller hat or put something inside the lining, then mash it down.  Or if it's your own kid, and you are so inclined, take him to the barber.  And still mash it down.