What is the “recently seen” baseball eye black? There is a possibility that it will become a new popular support goods … “Sales have increased dramatically in the last few years.” –Professional baseball –Number Web

Haven’t you seen a lot lately?

It is a black line that a professional baseball player puts under his eyes. Its name is eye black. Aiming to reduce the glare of the sun, it first appeared in American football in the 1940s and spread to baseball and softball.

Eye black was once the image of a foreign player wearing a day game. However, in recent years, the lighting of the dome has become dazzling, and many Japanese players have come to wear it. In last year’s All-Star Round 2, Nobuhiro Matsuda drew 〇 and × on the cheeks of Hiroaki Shimauchi, who won the MVP, and the stadium was filled with laughter.

There are several manufacturers in the United States, the birthplace of eye black, but the largest one is eye black. “Eye black” is a trademark of the company.

The company’s products sold in Japan are classic types with black stickers. 4 pairs (8 pieces) are included and 1 pack is 660 yen (tax included). It is a skin-friendly product that uses medical tape and adhesive.

In the home of America, “everything is fashionable.”

Koichi Kiyoto, a director of “Muto Enterprise” that handles this product, says.

“Since it has not spread to the amateur baseball world, it is about to come, but it has been purchased by multiple NPB baseball teams, and sales have increased dramatically in the last few years.”

Mutoh deals only with the black mentioned above, but Eye Black has a surprising number of products. It’s not just the players who wear eye black in the United States. This is because the eye black culture has taken root in sports fans and the general public through the popular American football.

“In American football and baseball, there are a lot of eye blacks with team logos and mascots. In the American sports world, there is a big pink ribbon campaign every year to raise awareness of breast cancer screening, but there are also many pink ones. And they are all fashionable. “

Fashionable, cheap and easy. Moreover, the variety of eye blacks is the best item to create a sense of unity among fans. It also looks great on Instagram, so it will be great for young people. How about everyone involved in the team?

By the way, the author, who has been playing baseball for 30 years, introduced eye black on a trial basis in weekend games. The effect was already apparent before the match.

“Oh, it looks like a major leaguer!”

Attention was drawn from the enemy and allies to that attitude. However, the author, who soared when he was noticed, repeatedly retired at the chance.