Major league baseball (MLB) players need sunglasses that help them see better on the diamond while helping improve performance. But which models do MLB players wear?
MLB players wear a variety of sunglasses from quality brands. These include the Oakley Prizm series, Oakley Encoders, 100% Speedcraft, Nike Show X3, and many others. They have several things in common: superior optics for the game, are lightweight, and have specific frame technology for baseball.
Baseball players have very specific needs in sunglasses. Read on below to learn more.
Table of Contents
What Sunglasses Are Best for Baseball?
A high-quality and comfortable pair of sunglasses is an essential accessory for Major League Baseball (MLB) players.
Players rely on excellent clarity and visibility for safety as well as success on the pitch. This is especially important on sunny days, when the glare of the sun’s rays can impede vision.
But what exactly do MLB players wear?
Sunglasses Worn by Major League Baseball Players
Here’s a rundown of sunglasses used by some MLB players. You can click on the links for more information; it will lead you to the Amazon store (note: we earn a small commission if you decide to purchase any of these sunglasses):
Oakley Prizm
- Manny Machado (San Diego Padres)
- Joe Kelly (Chicago Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers)
Oakleys Prizm sunglass series are the most popular brand worn by MLB players. It’s no surprise why: the Prizm series comes in a range of variants such as the Field and Sutro Lite. These series boasts of Oakley’s proprietary lens technology that adjusts vision for the wearer to improve performance and safety.
Additionally, Prizm lenses are made with Oakley Plutonite, a top-grade polycarbonate material that is impact-resistant – making them ideal for baseball players.
Oakley Encoder
- Salvador Perez (Kansas City Royals)
- Francisco Lindor (New York Mets)
Oakley Encoders are widely used by athletes in sports that require lots of fast movement, making it perfect for baseball players. Its weightless and frameless sunglasses provides a lightweight fit with three-dimensional views. Encoders are equipped with Prizm lenses, while its O-matter temples are meant to be low enough so that it fits with hats.
100% Speedcraft
- Whit Merrifield (Kansas City Royals)
- Fernando Tatis Jr. (San Diego Padres)
- Ronald Acuna Jr. (Atlanta Braves)
The 100% Speedcraft is a trusted model worn by elite athletes. Wearers enjoy excellent field of vision thanks to the 5.5 base cylindrical shield lens. It provides 100% UV protection, while the lightweight lens is easy to maintain because it’s oleophobic, hydrophobic, and resistant to dirt, oil, and water.
Other brands that professional baseball players use:
- Under Armour
- Nike
- Gargoyle Flip
What MBL Players Look For in Sunglasses
There are several things that sunglasses worn by MLB players have in common. Check them out below:
Superior Optics & Lens Technology
Baseball players must be able to see the ball clearly against the many textures and bright lights of the environment, whether they are in the outfield or the home plate. Lens that are manufactured with cutting-edge optics and lens technology help them do just that.
Enhanced contrast is incredibly important for baseball. This helps the player spot texture differences while out on the pitch while keeping an eye on flying balls. It also helps you see incoming pitches much better, helping improve performance.
Lightweight
Despite being tough and impact-resistant, baseball sunglasses should be extremely lightweight. Many models worn by MLB players feel like you aren’t wearing anything at all!
Long practice sessions and baseball games mean that players have to wear their sunglasses for hours. Heavy sunglasses can be uncomfortable and distracting, which is why lightweight shades are always recommended.
Frame Technology
It’s crucial for baseball players to rely on sunglasses that will stay in place while fielding a ground ball.
Sunglasses must have superior grip in the temples and nosepad: these are the primary areas where the sunglasses come in contact with the head. Frames should have a hydrophobic grip too so that they don’t fall or slide off when you sweat.
Many sunglasses made specifically for baseball are also designed with a curved or wraparound grip. This helps protect from the elements while ensuring the sun doesn’t distract with its rays on the side. Additionally, this increases peripheral vision while improving its grip on the head.
Lens Colors
The lens’ colors have an impact on clarity and vision because they determine how much light reaches the eyes. It also plays a role in how well you see contrasts, and which colors stand out. Some lens tints increase the saturation of certain colors while reducing others.
There are also certain lenses that work well for nighttime or indoor games, while others work better for daytime baseball.
For this reason, baseball players are recommended to wear lens of these colors:
- Orange or amber lenses are widely used by MLB players. They do an excellent job with color contrast especially on sunny days because of its darker tints.
- Yellow or clear is ideal for indoor practice or nighttime baseball games. These protect the eyes but aren’t dark, so you can still see clearly.
- Red lenses work similarly with amber. It can function well both under the sun or in the shade, while offering top-notch contrast for browns and greens against white.
- Blue sunglasses are effective in increasing contrast while reducing glare. They also help wearers discern where the ball is against green grass.
Conclusion
MLB players need top-of-the-line sunglasses with specific features for their sport. UV protection simply isn’t enough: these features listed above help baseball players up their game, too.