Full disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. I make a small commission if you buy an Everett AquaSox hat (or any other product) through those links. Think of it as buying me a Funko Pop – but way less expensive
I somehow ended up in Seattle last month.
Look, that’s not entirely true. I deliberately went to Seattle for a Gotham FC vs. Seattle Reign match with my wife. Also because I had some meetings out there. But in my defense, it sounds way more interesting to pretend I just materialized in the Pacific Northwest like some kind of baseball-loving Mary Poppins. While I was there, though, I knew I had to make a pit stop about 30 minutes north to visit the home of the Everett AquaSox.
The Quest for the Perfect Minor League Hat Collection
I have some rules around my Minor League Baseball hat habit (see: addiction)
- I can only buy a hat if I’ve been within 20 miles of the stadium while on the ground (flying over doesn’t count).
- End of rules.
But in all seriousness, that one rule helps keep my expenses way down over the course of the year.
Once I’ve been within 20 miles of a stadium? Hoo boy, the floodgates can open. My wall is full of hats from teams who release a cool rebrand and I just have to have it. I had never considered the hats from the Everett AquaSox until I published my review of the Northwest League a few weeks ago. Once I saw Webbly on that cap? I knew I had to have it. I mean, how often do you see a tree frog playing baseball?
And not just any tree frog – we’re talking about Webbly, who’s this delightful mashup of a Pacific tree frog and a Central American red-eyed tree frog (and Brooks Robinson?). The result is an impossibly charming, baseball-themed amphibian. Safe to say, I’m a fan of Webbly.
The Story Behind Webbly
Most teams pick a mascot that aligns with their team name and branding. Not the AquaSox, the team is named for the mascot, not the other way around. Back when the team was renaming they held polls and community conversations to find the right branding. Everyone seemed to enjoy the idea of a Frog as a representation of the wet, rainy environment of the Pacific Northwest. Which at least from my 5 days up there is pretty onbrand. The stereotype holds true.
From there they picked “Sox” to align with traditional baseball branding (Red Sox, White Sox, etc) and then added “Aqua” to put it in the ballpark of frog. (Is that an acceptable turn of phrase in a baseball article? Or too on the nose?)
There’s also this great little detail about how Webbly is inspired by baseball legend Brooks Robinson. Did he play for the Everett AquaSox? Nope. Just a fan. I love these kinds of connections – how a Hall of Fame third baseman somehow influenced the creation of a baseball-playing amphibian. It’s the kind of story that could only happen in minor league baseball.
The Journey to Funko Field: Home of the Everett AquaSox
The drive from Seattle to Everett isn’t particularly long, but it gives you enough time to appreciate the quintessential Pacific Northwest scenery. You know the type – evergreen trees everywhere, the constant threat of rain (which, let’s be honest, is part of the charm), and just enough glimpses of water to remind you that you’re in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Plus at this time of year, all around you is snow-covered peaks adding extra beauty to the horizon.
Funko Field itself is exactly what you want in a minor league ballpark. It’s intimate, it’s got character, and it feels nostalgic in all the best ways. The Everett AquaSox are a minor league affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, but it could also be your local high school field.
As we pulled up, the park’s connection to the local community was apparent…the field was being used for a local college baseball match. Everett Washington is the home to Funko, and so it’s fitting that the ballpark bears their name. Look, if you know me from anything other than baseball hats it’s for my Dungeons & Dragons television show and podcast. So it’s safe to assume that I have quite a few Funko Pops on my shelves. So heading to a baseball park under the moniker of a really nerdy collector’s item? That’s right up my alley. But I wasn’t there for any vinyl figures (though I may have been tempted). I was there for the hat.
Let’s Talk About This Hat
Here’s the thing about the AquaSox hat – it’s pretty understated in the grand scheme of Minor League Baseball hats. They let the Webbly imagery drive the hat, and it’s better for it. It features an all blue crown, brim, eyelets, and squatchee gives way to Webbly front and center. The design is clean, the colors pop without being overwhelming, and there’s something undeniably charming about a tree frog catching a fly [ball]. Which, by the way, is an A+ pun that you could only come up with after eating too many ballpark hot dogs.
The hat itself is comfortable – I grabbed a 7 5/8 fitted, which is my usual size, and it fits perfectly. New Era hats can be hit or miss with their sizing sometimes with some 7 5/8s squeezing my head like it’s going to pop, and others too loose to stay on. On this hat, however they nailed it.
It’s a well-constructed hat. Sometimes a great design is underserved by cost cutting on execution. Patches can be a single layer with a screenprint, or underwhelming when seen up close. Not this hat. Every detail on Webbly pops and it has a texture that allows it to feel three dimensional off the hat from any distance.
Why You Need This Everett AquaSox Hat
I’m not going to tell you that this hat will change your life. It won’t make you a better person, solve world hunger, or help you understand why anyone thought the designated hitter rule was a good idea (don’t come for me). What it will do is make people smile, start conversations, and add something unique to your collection.
Every time I wear this hat (which has been quite frequently since I got it), someone asks about it. It’s a great conversation starter. Baseball fans want to know about the team, fashion folks appreciate the design, and everyone else just wants to know why there’s a frog on my head. It’s an ice breaker for any situation.
The hat runs about $42 depending on where you buy it, which is standard across most minor league teams. I usually buy directly at a stadium if I can, and if I’m ordering online then I keep a list of hats I’d like and wait for sales to pop up. It’s clear that a major revenue driver for MiLB teams is merch, and I’m thrilled they spend so much time crafting great apparel to put on my head.
Final Thoughts
Minor league baseball is special because it dares to be different. It’s where you can find a tree frog playing baseball, and nobody questions it. You aren’t seeing fun branding in the major leagues, it’s sterile and bland. Or might just promote buttholes and boobs. The Everett AquaSox hat embodies everything I love about the minor leagues – it’s unique, it’s fun, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously.
So if you find yourself in the Pacific Northwest, or if you’re just someone who appreciates the quirkier side of baseball merchandise, do yourself a favor and grab an AquaSox hat. Your head (and your Instagram feed) will thank you. You’ll like it better than a Seattle Mariners hat for sure.
And hey, if you see someone walking around wearing this hat, it might be me. Feel free to stop and chat – I’m always up for talking about baseball, frogs, or the intersection of the two.
If you value my work and want to support me, buy a hat from one of the links above! You can also buy me a cup of coffee! To find me elsewhere, check out my other social media platforms.
