Michigan Catcher's Helmet

Things that are two toned are visually interesting.  Things that have stripes painted on them are usually quite sporty.  A thing that is two toned, has three stripes painted on it, and has a wing on the front is both bold and fanciful.  Such is the case with the University of Michigan baseball catcher’s helmet. 

The merely astute reader will note that Michigan is not in Florida.  However, the knowing reader will calmly clear his throat, close his eyes and gently shake his head at the merely astute reader for he is aware that Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Dunedin played host to the 2012 Big 10 Big East Baseball Challenge this weekend prior.  The author was in attendance on opening night, Friday, at Dunedin’s Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, which is as appealing to the eye as its name is to the ear.  Shining through the visual blight was the aforementioned thing of two colors, maize and blue, festooned with three stripes and a wing, slightly modified from the iconic Michigan football helmet.  Dating back to 1938, the helmet is a striking reminder that the Michigan man who dons such headgear is marked by smartness in dress, and yet, is rough in manner, should it come to that, as it frequently does for a man of sporting action.  The dashing headpiece should also remind you that a Michigan catcher (a) is likely to stir impure thoughts deep within your otherwise chaste sweetheart should he be given half a chance, and (2) is apathetic toward your feeble protestations of strike three:

Postscript:  Michigan baseball has a long and hilariously dressed tradition.  Regrettably, and as recently as 2009, the author was known to fashion his hair in a manner not unlike that of the 1886 team.  Those scallywags.