MLB Releases New Spring Training and Batting Practice Hats and They're All Over the Place

Over the past few years, many organizations inside professional sports have made a conscious effort to be more radical with their uniform designs. The Cincinnati Reds had a jersey without sleeves that turned out to a huge hit, the Jets had a complete successful overhaul with their uniforms, and the list goes on.

However, some decisions to take a modern look on established designs don't always work out. That is certainly the case with New Era and their newly-released batting practice/Spring Training hats. While some are arguably acceptable, others just completely miss the mark.

Without getting too cranky, I think the concept was extremely well thought out. It's an attempt to combine some of the alternate logos that teams tend to use, and blend it in to a vibrant combination. The Astros and Phillies are easily some of the best work of that collection, with the styles blending together in a concept that doesn't overwork the logo.

Others, such as the Reds and the White Sox, just don't look natural and ruin the concept.

If New Era had simply stated they couldn't have pulled this off for every team, I don't think anyone would have complained. Unfortunately, fans will inevitably focus in on the hats that missed, rather than those that are arguably pretty fresh.