MLB and the MLBPA have finalized plans for the upcoming Players Weekend on Aug. 25-27, a newly created event in which players will wear non-traditional team uniforms that will feature nicknames instead of last names. Players will also be able to wear customized spikes, batting gloves, wristbands, compression sleeves, socks, and catcher’s masks. The effort in part seeks to tie into baseball’s ongoing youth participation initiatives, and the Players Weekend jerseys and hats will each have a Thank You logo that depicts a progression of a youth player to a major leaguer. The alternate jerseys and hats also are modeled from youth league designs. The Thank You logo on the jersey sleeve will contain a blank space for a player to write in the names of persons instrumental in their development. Those game-worn jerseys will be auctioned by MLB.com, with all of the net proceeds given to the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation created two years ago with an initial $30M commitment from the league and union. The Pirates and Cardinals will also wear the Players Weekend jerseys on Aug. 20 for the MLB Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pa. The Players Weekend effort also involved each of the sport’s primary uniform licensees including Majestic Athletic, New Era and Stance.
