A Common Sense MLB Question Only a Curious Child Would Ask
Posted: 22 Jun 2025 15:22 pm
Had a nice Saturday BBQ with the neighbors over. While waiting for the charcoal to heat up, one neighbor's 8- and 11-year old sons joined me in watching the Cardinals and Reds steambath game at the same time the Cubs and Mariners had a pitcher and an ump succumb to the heat and humidity.
The younger boy asked, "Why are the players and umpires wearing long pants and long undershirts when it's so hot?".
He attends his Dad's weekend softball games where the players and umps wear tank tops and shorts (and knee pads for sliding). If you see MLB'ers working out in the summer sun hours before a night game, that's how they dress, too.
Would MLB ever consider such a drastic uniform in oppressive heat, even as a 3rd/4th option? I remenber when Bill Veeck's White Sox wore shorts for awhile. Veeck did, too, even with his peg leg.
The added physical freedom might elicit better play. It would certainly bring more women to the ballpark.
The younger boy asked, "Why are the players and umpires wearing long pants and long undershirts when it's so hot?".
He attends his Dad's weekend softball games where the players and umps wear tank tops and shorts (and knee pads for sliding). If you see MLB'ers working out in the summer sun hours before a night game, that's how they dress, too.
Would MLB ever consider such a drastic uniform in oppressive heat, even as a 3rd/4th option? I remenber when Bill Veeck's White Sox wore shorts for awhile. Veeck did, too, even with his peg leg.
The added physical freedom might elicit better play. It would certainly bring more women to the ballpark.