MLB Players’ Weekend has finally arrived. Starting Friday, the league will allow its players to celebrate themselves and their personalities by relaxing some of the rules surrounding team uniforms. Players can show off with impressive footwear and custom bats.
The league originally started Players’ Weekend in 2017. It ran the event for three straight seasons before putting it on a brief hiatus. The celebration returned during the 2024 MLB season, albeit with some modified rules. The event is back in 2025 and will mimic the 2024 celebration.
With things set to get underway Friday, here’s everything you need to know about MLB Players’ Weekend.
What is MLB Players’ Weekend?
The event is supposed to be a celebration of the game’s players. The league will put a bigger focus on player personalities and off-the-field activities as a way for them to better connect with fans. As part of that celebration, players are allowed to wear custom cleats, gloves and use custom bats during games.
In previous seasons, MLB allowed players to wear nicknames on the back of their jerseys. When MLB brought Players’ Weekend back in 2024, it no longer allowed nicknames to be worn on jerseys. That policy will remain in 2025, so don’t expect to see any creative names on the back of your favorite player’s uniform this season.
When is MLB Players Weekend? Dates, schedule of events
Players’ Weekend will begin Friday, Aug. 15 and extend through Sunday, Aug. 17 in 2025. All 30 teams will take part in the festivities.
The league is promoting three themes during 2025 Players’ Weekend. Each day will feature its own theme, which will guide game and social-media coverage throughout the weekend.
Friday’s theme is off-field interests. Broadcasts and social-media accounts around the league are expected to promote what players do and enjoy away from the field.
Saturday’s theme will focus on causes. Which charitable causes do players support? How can fans get involved? The league will look to highlight those issues Saturday.
Finally, the weekend will end with appreciation. Players will celebrate the people who helped them on their journey to the majors. It’s fitting that appreciation is the theme on Sunday, as Players’ Weekend will end with the Little League Classic.
What is the Little League Classic?
The Little League Classic is an annual game typically played at the end of Players’ Weekend. It takes place at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pa., during the Little League World Series. Because of its timing and location, the contest is attended mostly by players, coaches and fans already at the Little League World Series.
MLB has held the game every year since 2017, though the 2020 contest was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The two teams that were supposed to take part in the Little League Classic in 2020 — the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles — instead played in the contest in 2022.
The New York Mets and the Seattle Mariners will play in the Little League Classic in 2025. It will mark the second time the Mets have been chosen for the game. New York won the second Little League Classic, beating the Philadelphia Phillies by a score of 8-2 in 2018.
MLB Players’ Weekend bats
Though games don’t get underway until Friday, a number of custom bats have already leaked ahead of the weekend. Below, we’ll highlight some of the best ones so far.
Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte will pay homage to his mother with a bat featuring her picture. Marte was blown away after seeing the bat for the first time.
Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto opted to go with a full camo theme. He’ll use a camo bat and wear camo gear behind the plate.
Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader will pay homage to Fortnite with his custom bat.
Bryce Harper may have kicked off Players’ Weekend a little too early, using a flame bat during Thursday’s game.
Though, Harper may actually opt to use a Philly cheesesteak bat over the weekend. He showed off that custom bat during the offseason, and could use that one instead.
A number of other players, including Chicago Cubs catcher Carson Kelly, Kansas City Royals superstar Bobby Witt Jr. and New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Domínguez are expected to step up to the plate with food-themed bats this weekend.
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