How to wear a baseball uniform

Now that players and coaches are gearing up for the approaching season, I thought it appropriate to write about something I find to be very important with regards to treating the game with respect.  There are many ways players and coaches can disrespect the game without most people even noticing.  That’s not the case when it comes to how someone wears a uniform.  Below are the uniform Do’s and Don’ts I’ve demanded from players in order to show the proper respect for the game of baseball.

• The hat is worn straight forward with a slightly curved brim at all times unless you are a catcher with your helmet/mask worn over top.

Which is worse…the player wearing his cap this way or the organization allowing him to?

• If sleeves are worn under jerseys, all members of the team and staff will wear the same exact color.  Navy blue and Royal blue are not the same color.  White and gray sleeves are never an option in baseball.
• The team can choose whether they want to wear the bottom of their pants up high (Old School style) or all the way down.  Either way is fine but everyone on the team does it the same way.
• Spikes are the same color.  Brands are a matter of choice.  Color is not.
• Shoe laces are tied.
• Jackets, hoodies, pullovers, etc. are not to be worn during pre-game infield-outfield practice.  You don’t wear them in the game so they are not worn in practice.  Practice or game jerseys only.
• If Old School stirrups are worn, the higher part of the sock goes in the back.
• Base coaches do not wear jackets, hoodies, pullovers, etc. when in the coaches box.  (On the high school and college level, I know I’m in the minority on this one but you’ll never see a Major League base coach wearing one while on the field no matter how bad the weather is.  I follow their lead.  Also, it becomes tougher for players to complain about the weather when their coaches don’t appear to be impacted by it.)
• All jerseys are tucked in at all times.
• Wristbands are to be in team colors.  Keep the “lucky” pink wristband your girlfriend wants you to wear in your pocket. 
• If a belt is part of the uniform, everyone has it on.

The basic principle of the uniform is that all players wear it the same way.  The prefix “uni” means one.  One way to wear it as a team.  It’s not called a “multi-form.”

Talent levels for individual players and teams will vary from year to year.  The respect programs demand and show for the game should not.