As an effort to appeal to a younger audience, MLB has focused on modernizing its brand in recent years. Such includes the promotion of bat flips and players allowed to express themselves and show some personality in addition to solidifying a strong social media following.
MLB is also attempting to rejuvenate the on-field product as well. The Commissioner’s Office and MLBPA announced amendments to the Collective Bargaining Agreement that govern the rules of cleats worn on the field.
Beginning with the 2019 season, players will be provided with increased flexibility with respect to the colors and design of their on-field footwear, while coordinating with their respective team’s uniform color schemes.
MLB and the MLBPA agreed to eliminate the previous rule that the majority of a player’s cleats must be in his club’s designated primary shoe color. Instead, players may wear shoes displaying any of the following colors, in any proportion: (i) black, white, and gray; (ii) any colors displayed on the Player’s uniform (and certain variations thereof); and (iii) any additional colors designated by the Player’s Club.
A requirement does remain in place that calls for shoe designs to be submitted to a player’s club for advance approval.
“Major League Baseball and its Clubs recognize the desire of Players to have more flexibility in this area and are pleased to announce the loosening of regulations that will permit more personalized and stylized footwear,” commissioner Rob Manfred said.
“We believe that this agreement strikes the appropriate balance between the shared goal of permitting Players to express their individuality while maintaining reasonable restrictions on shoe colors and designs.”
The change in policy is a long time coming, as other sports leagues have already relaxed previous uniform limitations. For instance, the NBA implemented new rules this season in which players are allowed to wear any color scheme or design on their shoes.
In 2016, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig was warned by the league for wearing cleats with Vin Scully’s likeness that paid homage to the retiring Hall-of-Fame broadcaster.
MLB has since eased up on apparel restrictions, introducing the first edition of Players Weekend in 2017 that allowed players to wear customized jerseys, socks and cleats for a late-summer weekend series.
