News From Terre Haute, Indiana

Breaking News

Opinion

July 12, 2012

RONN MOTT: Hats and Baseball Caps

TERRE HAUTE — I grew up not wearing hats. The only one I put on was a baseball cap when I was playing baseball. But since my hair went on permanent vacation, I’ve been wearing hats, most often a cap, in particular, a baseball cap. 

A baseball cap is a rather strange thing. It’s a beanie, a skull cap with a button on top and a large bill attached to the front. Baseball is a treasure house of ancient statistics, but I have no idea how this strange little cap got to be “the hat” of baseball. For instance, the original New York Knickerbockers (who would later become the Yankees), wore white skimmers and white shirts. Very spiffy. But the skimmers were soon replaced by the beanie with the bill.

I don’t know exactly when that occurred but it had to be early on, and that little beanie with the bill we recognize everywhere as a baseball cap. Even when it advertises some business or endeavor, it is still a baseball cap.

Throughout history men were often remembered by the hats they wore. Abraham Lincoln, a very tall man, wore a very tall stovepipe hat. Napoleon Bonaparte, who wasn’t very tall, wore that 18th Century commander’s hat. It appeared he was wearing it sideways. Of course, it didn’t make him look any taller.

Cowboys wore the distinctive hat they borrowed from the Mexican Vaqueros with some modifications. The ten-gallon hat the American cowboy favored had nothing to do with the amount of water it would hold, but rather the amount of “braids” that would fit around the crown. It didn’t take many to fit around the Mexican sombrero and it took about 10 braids to fit around the hat the cowboys favored. The term “galoìn” is the Spanish word for braid. To our gringo ears, it came out as gallon.

Around here, and most of the Midwest, a baseball cap says I’m a local. So if you see me driving down the road, walking the park, or heading somewhere more important, chances are I’ll be wearing a baseball cap. I guess that tags me as a local.

Ronn Mott, a longtime radio personality in Terre Haute, writes commentaries for the Tribune-Star. His pieces are published online Tuesday and Thursday on Tribstar.com, and in the print and online editions on Saturday.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Opinion
  • READERS' FORUM: May 20, 2013

    The dangers of a little knowledge

    Students enjoyed Rose study trip

    May 20, 2013

  • MET 051613 YOTR MURAL.jpg Mark Bennett: High-profile mural connects historical dots from city to river

    At 96 feet wide and 2 stories tall, the power, impact and value of the Wabash will be evident.

    May 19, 2013 2 Photos

  • EDITORIAL: Waging the ‘readiness’ campaign

    Almost every Hoosier who starts college intends to finish. Unfortunately, those who arrive on campus unprepared in key academic areas are far less likely to fulfill that aspiration.

    May 19, 2013

  • READERS' FORUM: May 19, 2013

    • Flawed reasoning on gun checks

    • A hint of things yet to come?

    • Are the ‘makers’ doing the ‘taking’?

    • The ‘Obamination’ is finally revealed

    • Pondering effects of Obamacare

    • Fantasizing on the ‘Apocalypse’

    • Another view of Hinduism

    • Great experience for HCMS students

    May 19, 2013

  • FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities

    Given the nature of politicians, grand claims of accomplishments and overblown rhetoric about “historic” efforts are to be expected at the close of any legislative session.

    May 19, 2013

  • RONN MOTT: Mushrooms = Hoosier happiness

    Someone wrote or said a few years ago a statement that would define the word “Hoosier.” According to this urban legend, a Hoosier is somebody dribbling a basketball around the Indy 500 while eating a fried, morel mushroom. It did not define me, at the time.

    May 18, 2013

  • EDITORIAL: Insult to an independent press

    Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.

    May 17, 2013

  • READERS' FORUM: May 17, 2013

    Hinduism doesn’t deserve ridicule Shefali Purohit, Terre Haute

    May 17, 2013

  • Ronn Mott.jpg RONN MOTT: Israel’s Air Force

    Recently the Israeli Air Force bombed and rocketed a convoy leaving Syria going to Lebanon with rockets that were going to be used to attack Israel. It did not get there. It was destroyed.

    May 16, 2013 1 Photo

  • EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news: Dashing finish for the Sycamores

    It’s always thrilling to see Indiana State University’s athletic teams do well in high-level competition, and two specific teams rose to impressive heights last weekend in the Missouri Valley Conference outdoor track and field championships.

    May 16, 2013

  • Readers' Forum: May 16, 2013

    Moving Deming folks sounds ‘nuts’

    May 16, 2013

  • Readers' Forum: May 15, 2013

    Participants rise to the challenge: I would like to write a letter congratulating all the Wabash Valley Roadrunners that competed in the One America Indianapolis Mini Marathon.

    May 15, 2013

  • Ronn Mott.jpg RONN MOTT: Media merry-go-round

    Round and round it goes, where it stops nobody knows. That isn’t a unique phrase to this writer or to this era in time. But, when it comes to the musical chairs of broadcasting, it certainly applies.

    May 14, 2013 1 Photo

  • LIZ CIANCONE: Courts see a different appearance than cops

    Have you ever noticed the transformation between the arrest of an accused lawbreaker and the first appearance in court?

    May 14, 2013

  • READERS' FORUM: May 14, 2013

    ISTEP failure exposes flaws

    Community hasn’t changed its spirit

    Egregious threat to nation’s defense

    May 14, 2013

  • READERS' FORUM: May 13, 2013

    • Women’s group criticizes Bucshon

    • Let’s hope this doesn’t come true

    • Many get thanks for fest success

    May 13, 2013

  • MARK BENNETT: Life at face value: Mom’s simple advice still presents a valuable daily challenge

    Most moms don’t base their advice on scientific research.
    (Unless, of course, your mother is a scientific researcher. If so, carry a No. 2 pencil and take good notes.)

    May 12, 2013

  • EDITORIAL: Better monitoring needed to prevent local environmental messes

    The nasty, hazardous messes lurking in the community raise a bottom-line, red-flag question. Could these environmental problems have been monitored and, thus, prevented?

    May 12, 2013

  • GUEST COLUMN: Nursing more than medicine and bandages

    Being a nurse …  Like most nurses, I chose this profession because I had a strong desire to help others and no other career would allow me the opportunity to touch lives the way I have been able to through nursing.

    May 12, 2013

  • READERS' FORUM: May 12, 2013

    Vigo Youth Football, entering 45th year, seeks new support

    Media ignoring important case on abortions

    Proud to be old-fashioned

    Guns in school? What’s next?

    Promoting hate not a ‘brave’ act

     

    May 12, 2013

  • FLASHPOINT: Again in 2013 General Assembly, middle class generally ignored

    Last year, the people of Indiana entrusted the Republican Party with some of their most precious possessions.

    May 12, 2013

  • Ronn Mott.jpg RONN MOTT: ‘Raccoons II’

    In the Algonquin Indian language, raccoon means “working with hands.” They are really cute little fellows until they injure a child, or a pet, or leave feces around where you certainly do not want it.

    May 11, 2013 1 Photo

  • Readers’ Forum: May 11, 2013

    I  just wanted to express my disappointment at the lack of response shown by President Obama after the Boston Marathon bombings.

    May 11, 2013

  • Readers' Forum: May 10, 2013

    CANDLES event plants new seed: On April 26, CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center hosted an event called “Sowing Seeds of Peace: A Celebration of Spring” at the Apple House. Our purpose was to introduce people to our concept of forgiveness as a seed for peace.

    May 10, 2013

  • Ronn Mott.jpg RONN MOTT: ‘NRA Convention’

    At the recent NRA Convention in Houston, Texas, where the right-wing political hot air almost lifted the convention's building off its foundation, the NRA trotted out the forever yours political dame of the right wing, Sarah Palin. Sarah did not disappoint.

    May 9, 2013 1 Photo

  • EDITORIAL: Memo to U.S.A.: You can ‘SPPRAK’ just as we do in Vigo County

    Our kids, truly, are ‘Making a Difference’

    May 9, 2013

  • Some words in praise of boring government — Indiana’s

    A conservative Republican governor has super majorities in both branches of the legislature. One might suspect such one-party government leads to major changes in public policy. This did not happen in 2013 in Indiana.

    May 9, 2013

  • EDITORIAL: Doc’s prescient prescription

    Viewed through a 2013 prism, Doc Bowen’s response to the AIDS epidemic looks merely prudent, routine.

    May 8, 2013 1 Story

  • RONN MOTT: ‘Heritage gone’

    The last high school I attended was being torn down just a few days ago. I didn't learn about it until I saw classmate Dick Mills on television and a display he had put together about State football championships in the middle 1930's. I began elementary school with Dick Mills. That was Matthew South Elementary School on South Sixth Street in Clinton, Indiana. After seeing Dick on TV, it dawned on me that all schools I had attended in Clinton have been torn down.

    May 7, 2013

  • LIZ CIANCONE: We always want more than we need

    Washington seems more preoccupied with the unemployment rate than they are about the constant stalemate. Still with thousands out of work and the unemployment rate hovering somewhere between 7 percent and 9 percent, it does deserve more than a passing nod.

    May 7, 2013

Latest News
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
TribStar.com Poll
AP Video
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest Fatal Hot Air Balloon Accident in Turkey Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia 'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy? AP CEO: Records Seizure 'Unconstitutional' Raw: Heavy Tornado Damage in Shawnee, Okla Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident Raw: Tornadoes Spotted in Kansas Today in History for May 20th Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings Obama Exhorts Good Deeds by Morehouse Graduates Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NDN Video
RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble Robert Pattinson Moves Out RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air Oklahoma tornado survivor: "Everything is gone" Khloe Lashes Out at Kim Kardashian's Critics Couple Argues As Woman's Lover Crawls Out Window RAW: Brad Paisley Forgets Lyrics To His Own Song Justin Bieber Gets Booed RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado New 'Anchorman 2' Trailer, Drake Joins List of Rumored Cameos Eva Longoria's Wardrobe Malfunction Heat Star Dwyane Wade Surprises Coral Gables Teen At Prom Steak n' Shake waitress scores huge tip Singer Miguel Accidentally Lands on Fan At Billboard Music Awards Celebs Celebrate the Rise of the Side Butt Grizzly bear gets up close and personal with camera Justin Bieber Gets Booed After Winning at the Billboard Awards Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest Singer forgets lyrics, makes up words to National Anthem
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
  • -

     

    March 12, 2010

activity
Real Estate News