Bats And Balls vs Beans And Weenies
Living in Florida, spring is an exciting time of year if you’re a baseball fan. The “Grapefruit League” as it is known, gets into full swing today with a full slate of spring training games. This year, thanks to Nike, there may be more to see than the usual baseball attractions.
It seems that Nike and Fanatics have altered MLB uniforms that utilize a new lightweight fabric that many believe is not only too light, but too tight, especially in the groin area. Something that the New York Post went to great lengths to illustrate.
MLB Players’ Association Executive Director Tony Clark said complaints about wardrobe malfunctions are happening in many places where spring training has begun.
According to ESPN, Clark said:
“A lot of the rhetoric is confirmation that the pants are see-through. It’s been an ongoing conversation where each day has yielded something new that doesn’t seem to make as much sense as you would like it,” he said, calling the pants a “universal concern.”
He added: That players will continue to advocate for something more to their liking. “We’ll continue to engage those that are involved and determine next steps forward.”
Naturally, ignoring the proof that is starring them in the face, Nike offered an optimistic statement:
“We always put the athlete at the center of everything we do. We worked closely with MLB players, teams, and the league to create the most advanced uniforms in the history of MLB which are lighter and more flexible.
“The quality and the performance of our product is of the utmost importance to us. We will continue to work with MLB, the players, and our manufacturing partner to address player uniforms.”
See through pants aren’t the only issue. ESPN reported the uniforms, made by Fanatics, are also drawing criticism for feeling cheaper. Along with the pants, the uniform jerseys players have worn have already been called out by one unnamed Orioles player, who told the Baltimore Banner it feels like a “knockoff jersey from T.J. Maxx.”
MLB Commissioner Robb Manfred told CNN:
“They’re designed to be performance wear as opposed to what’s been traditionally worn, so they are going to be different. I think after people wear them a little bit, they’re going to be really popular.”
Maybe and maybe not.
According to the Associated Press, Phillies shortstop Trea Turner doesn’t agree. “I know everyone hates them.”
The good news, or bad news depending on how you look at it, is that not everybody is upset about the uniforms yet. The reason is because not every team has received them. Some are on backorder.
“Hopefully by Opening Day,” San Diego Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove said.
“We tried stuff on last year, we tried stuff on again in spring, but the samples they gave us, they didn’t have the proper length for anybody, so it’s hard to gauge if they fit right or not.”
Well Joe, who can say. All I know is that there are three things I always get at a “ballgame” A cold beer, a hotdog, and a bag of nuts. I want to thank Nike for at least not screwing up the beer.
