Categories: News

Phillies sporting new helmets in Spring Training

The Phillies seem to be undergoing a change in helmets. (Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire)

The Phillie Phanatic isn’t the only one that seems to have gotten a makeover this Spring Training.

If the first two Spring Training games are any indication, the Phillies will be wearing new helmets in 2020. It appears that hitters wore the Rawlings Mach model helmet on Saturday against the Detroit Tigers and Sunday at Spectrum Field against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

This would be the team’s first new helmet since 2013. It would also be the first major change to Phillies helmets since they instituted raised logo decals

on a regular basis last season.

The Mach helmets would replace the Rawlings S100 Pro Comp, which became mandatory throughout Major League Baseball in 2013. The helmets are relatively similar, although the Mach features more air vents and a different design with more grooves as opposed to the S100 Pro Comp’s flatter design.

Here is a look at Jay Bruce wearing the new Mach helmet from the NBC Sports Philadelphia broadcast of Sunday’s game:

The Mach is also compatible with the Rawlings Mach EXT, an extension that covers a hitter’s jaw and the Rawlings alternative to the traditional C-Flap. Several Phillies players including Rhys Hoskins and Bryce Harper used the Mach EXT last season. Now, the design of these players’ jaw guards would match the design of their helmets as well.

A change in helmets would not be the only uniform change for the Phillies in 2020. As is the case with all 30 major league teams, the Phillies uniforms will feature a Nike logo this season.

With these tweaks, along with changes already made in coaching and personnel, 2020 seems like it could have a brand new look for the Phillies.

Update: Paul Lukas of Uni Watch has now reported that all teams will be wearing the Mach model this season. Some teams had worn it last season, but now the rest, including the Phillies, will be making the switch.