MLB will give players freedom of expression during ‘Players Weekend’ – Sporting News

For every baseball fan who has ever wanted to seeJose Bautista in a "Joey Bats" jersey, Major League Baseball's"Players Weekend" might be your chance.

Baseball will be a little bit more funduringthe weekend of Aug. 25-27. Players will be able to mixpersonality and style with nicknames on the backs of their jerseys, brightly colored cleats and personalized patches paying tribute to people who have played instrumental roles in their development.

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If a "Joey Bats" jersey isn't at the top of your list, don't worry. There aresure tobe plenty of other entertaining uniforms in a sport full of athletes with unique characterand personality.

The weekend won't bea free-for-all, though.Inappropriate or offensive nicknames will still be banned. Players are also restricted from using white gloves, wristbands and sleeves or anything that could potentially interfere with the game or an umpire's ability to make a call.

Easing up on the rules for a weekend gives players a chance to get creative, and it gives MLB something else to sell. It will sell all the specialized jerseys worn during the weekend, with the proceeds going to the Youth Development Foundation, which MLB and the players association jointly support.

Having fun with uniforms also teststraditional baseball boundaries, which is something the Cubs are known for doing. The world champs, who are known to wear lighthearted, themed attire on road trips,made good use of their nicknames withpersonalized track suitsfor a trip last June.Let the name game begin.

It is unclear if every player onevery team will participate. The Yankees don't wear names on their jerseys of course so the "Players Weekend" will be an unfamiliarconcept to them.

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The NBA tested a similar ideaduring the 2013-14 season. It briefly allowed players to have nicknames on the backs of their jerseys; LeBron James was "King James" on the court.

Whether or not we'll see Madison Bumgarner as "Mad Bum," NoahSyndergaard in a "Thor" jersey or Kyle Hendricks sporting"The Professor," things are sure to get interesting on the diamond in late August.

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MLB will give players freedom of expression during 'Players Weekend' - Sporting News