Ball cap shield

Abstract

A shield adapted for use with a baseball cap or caps used in other sports is disclosed to protect a pitcher or fielder from a batted or thrown baseball or softball. A panel is shaped to conform with a front side of a ball cap and is secured with straps or other means on the outer side of the ball cap or, alternatively, on the inner side of the ball cap. The shield is formed of a sheet or panel of impact absorbing plastic that protects the user from trauma in the event of a collision with a traveling ball or other object.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A protective ball cap shield and ball cap combination, comprising:
 a ball cap having a semi-spherical body portion defining an interior space, and a bill extending forwardly from a lower edge of the semi-spherical body portion;   a shield positioned in the interior space of the ball cap, the shield comprising:   a curved front plate having an outer surface adjacent the ball cap and an inner surface, the front plate including a layer of foam on the inner surface; and   first and second side plates each having an outer surface adjacent the ball cap and an inner surface, the first and second side plates flexibly connected to ends of the front plate, and the first and second side plates including a layer of foam on the inner surface.