Why Do Baseball Players Wear Eye Black?

Many baseball players wear eye black under their eyes to reduce glare from the sun and stadium lights. But why do they do it?

The History of Eye Black

Eye black is a grease or paint that is applied under the eyes to reduce glare from the sun and stadium lights. It is commonly seen in many outdoor sports, but it is most associated with baseball. The practice of wearing eye black dates back to the early 1900s, and it is still used by players today. Let’s take a look at the history of eye black and how it became such a popular tradition in baseball.

Early Use of Eye Black

Eye black is most commonly associated with football and baseball players, but its history actually dates back much further. The use of black grease or paint to reduce glare dates back to the Roman Empire, and in the 1800s, American Civil War soldiers would often use soot to reduce the sun’s glare.

In 1904, Ivy League football player Joseph Mormino became the first person to apply greasy tar to his cheeks in order to cut down on the glare from the sun and stadium lights. His teammates quickly followed suit, and by the 1930s, eye black was a common sight in football games. Today, it’s not just football and baseball players who benefit from eye black — hockey players, soccer players, lacrosse players, and even some track and field athletes also use it to reduce glare.

Modern Use of Eye Black

Eye black is most commonly associated with baseball, American football and lacrosse, but it is also used in other sports such as hockey, soccer, softball and even cricket. It is typically applied in a thick strip under the eyes, covering a portion or all of the width of the cheekbone. Eye black moderators the effects of bright sunlight or stadium lights on an athlete’s vision. It is believed to reduce glare and improve contrast sensitivity.

The Science of Eye Black

Many baseball players wear eye black under their eyes to reduce glare from the sun. But does it actually work? The scientific evidence is mixed. Some studies show that eye black can reduce glare, while other studies suggest that it has no effect.

How Eye Black Works

Eye black is a greasy substance that baseball players apply to their cheeks and under their eyes. Its purpose is to reduce glare from the sun and stadium lights.

Most eye black is made from a mixture of paraffin wax and carbon. The paraffin wax helps it to stay in place, while the carbon helps to absorb light. When applied correctly, eye black can reduce glare by up to 50 percent.

So, how does it work? Theoretically, when light hits the surface of the eye, it is scattered in all directions. Some of this light enters the pupil and is focused on the retina at the back of the eye. This is what allows us to see.

However, some of the light that enters the eye is not focused on the retina but is scattered around inside the eyeball. This scattered light produces a glare that can cause decreased vision and even temporary blindness.

Applyingeye blackto the cheeks and under the eyes helps to reduce this glare by absorbing some of the scattered light before it has a chance to enter the eyeball. This allows more light to be focused on the retina, resulting in improved vision.

The Benefits of Eye Black

Eye black has been used by athletes for centuries to reduce glare and improve vision. The black pigment in the eye black absorbs light, which reduces the amount of light that enters the eye. This can improve vision and reduce glare, making it easier for athletes to see the ball or their opponents.

In addition to its benefits for vision, eye black can also help to reduce sunburn and windburn. The pigments in the eye black absorb UV rays from the sun, which can help to protect the delicate skin around the eyes. The black also helps to reduce windchill, making it more comfortable for athletes to play in cold weather.

How to Apply Eye Black

Baseball players wear eye black under their eyes to reduce the glare from the sun. Applying eye black is easy, and only takes a few seconds. Here’s how to do it.

Applying Eye Black Correctly

Eye black is a greasy substance players apply under their eyes to cut down on glare from the sun and stadium lights. It’s made from petroleum jelly and tar, and it’s applied with a small brush or cotton swab.

Players will often have different rituals for applying eye black. Some will make patterns, such as triangles or stripes, while others will simply put a smudge under each eye. Whatever the method, the important thing is to apply it evenly so that each eye has the same level of protection.

Removing Eye Black

Players typically use petroleum jelly or a similar product to apply eye black. To remove it, they need only wash their faces with soap and water.