Fun times out in Los Angeles.
Fun times out in Los Angeles. (USATSI)

The Dodgers celebrated their home opener on Tuesday in unusual fashion: by revealing a new batting helmet. Really:

Here's what makes he new helmets unique, per Paul Lukas, who broke the news for ESPN.com:

The "LA" lettering projects outward only about three millimeters from the helmet's surface, but that's enough to create a noticeable sense of depth unlike anything seen on a typical batting helmet. Of the other 29 MLB teams, 28 of them use flat decals for their helmet logos. The Chicago Cubs use an adhesive embroidered cloth patch that provides a greater sense of texture, but it doesn't create the same 3D effect as the Dodgers' new headwear mark.

Lukas goes into greater details about the process and the challenges of a 3D-looking helmet, which many will find interesting.

The most important point, however, is tucked away near the end, when it's acknowledged that the new decals could indeed fall off at some point during the season. In other words, plan on seeing a Dodgers helmet without the "LA" part before the year's up.