How it started · 1989

How our story
started

Every great product solves a real problem. Ours started in 1989 with a dirty ball cap, a garage, and a father who refused to throw it away.

1989

Our story begins

Dave Fortney’s son came home from baseball practice with a cap too dirty to wear before a championship game. Dave built the first Ballcap Buddy™ prototype from metal coat hangers in the garage—with his father-in-law’s help. They ran it on the top rack of the dishwasher; when the cycle finished, the cap was clean and still held its shape.

First prototype
1992

National retail

The Ballcap Buddy™ reached major retail, discount, general merchandise, and sporting goods stores across the country—beginning decades of wide distribution.

Nationwide launch
Retail

Walmart & mass channels

The line was a Walmart mainstay for fifteen years and remained a familiar sight in sporting goods and discount retail.

15 yrs at Walmart
Global

Around the world

Sales expanded beyond the U.S. to Canada, Mexico, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, and more.

Millions sold
USA

Made in America

The Ballcap Buddy has long been made in the United States—Texas—with an emphasis on quality manufacturing and customer care.

Texas · USA
Today

Still here for your caps

The focus stays on happy customers: responsive support, easy returns, and keeping caps wearable for years—not a single wash and done.

Service & quality
The Legacy Continues

EVERY CAP
TELLS A STORY

From championship victories to everyday adventures — your caps hold memories worth preserving.

Begin Your Legacy