👕 New jersey controversey

Manfred to retire, rules update, and more!

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Grand Slam Newsletter
February 16, 2024

Today we cover:

  • 👕 New jerseys take some heat

  • 🗣️ Manfred to retire

  • 🏃 Enhanced rule enforcement

  • And More!

New jerseys take some heat

Major League Baseball and Nike today announced additional details about the new on-field Nike Vapor Premier uniforms and retail options for fans. Beginning in Spring Training, all jerseys worn by players this season will be designed on the new Nike Vapor Premier chassis.

The quality concerns started immediately after seeing them and only got worse when compared side-by-side with earlier jerseys. Players stated they “look like a replica” and “so far thumbs down.”

Commissioner Rob Manfred has addressed the new jerseys saying he believes they will be quite possible and that many of the changes were intentional. He added that the jerseys were “performance wear” and had been “extensively tested”.

Manfred announces retirement

On Thursday, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred stated he will retire when his current term ends in 2029. He will have been commissioner for 14 years after taking over from Allan “Bud” Selig in 2015 who served since 1998. His announcement came at a spring training event where he noted his age and desire to be a part of implementing the new commissioner.

ESPN announces spring training schedule

Credit: ESPN

ESPN announced on Wednesday its 2024 MLB Spring Training broadcast schedule. Coverage begins on ESPN with the Los Angeles Dodgers and 2023 American League M.V.P. Shohei Ohtani visiting Manny Machado and the San Diego Padres at Camelback-Ranch in Glendale, Ariz. at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 22.

MLB to enforce base running rule

Baseball Slide GIF by Fort Wayne TinCaps

Gif by tincaps on Giphy

Major League Baseball will be asking their umpires to “strictly enforce” the obstruction around the base rule this season. While already an official rule (Rule 6.01(h)), it has not been enforced to a degree of satisfaction for the teams and league. According to Jesse Rogers, an ESPN staff writer:

The most common infraction is when a middle infielder puts his lower leg on the ground to block the runner's path to second, sometimes leading to hand or ankle injuries depending on how a runner slides. A common infraction at third base involves an infielder moving up the line to block a runner's path as he receives the ball from an outfielder.

In other news…

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