Everything you need to know about Players' Weekend
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After a four-season hiatus, Players' Weekend returns this Friday to give players an enhanced voice and a creative outlet as they showcase their personalities with an eye toward growing the game.
The casual and fun vibes will be the same as you remember, but some of the details have changed in this re-imagined presentation. Here's everything you need to know.
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When is Players' Weekend?
The weekend kicks off Friday and continues through Sunday. All 30 teams will participate.
What is Players' Weekend?
It's a chance for players to be themselves, help their favorite charities or just explain what makes them tick. The idea is to showcase MLB players beyond their stats while telling their stories in a way that connects with young fans and casual followers.
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How does it work?
The 2024 edition will last three days, with each day featuring a different theme. The days' themes will be displayed via the in-stadium game presentation, broadcast enhancements, social media content and more. Here's the thematic breakdown:
Fun (Friday): This will be a time to show off players' personalities, friendships and off-field interests.
Causes (Saturday): The focus this day will be on players' favorite charity and community efforts.
Appreciation (Sunday): Players will celebrate the people who helped them in their journey to the big leagues.
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To further celebrate the players that impact the game, Oscar-nominated actor Brian Tyree Henry stars in the latest extension of MLB¡¯s ¡°Baseball is Something Else¡± campaign. In the spots, Henry portrays an MLB scout that has seen it all, but he¡¯s never seen anything like what¡¯s on the field today. Through his eyes, Henry highlights the perfect storm of generational talent, engaging personalities and exceptional play that is currently on display. The campaign includes special giveaways on MLB social platforms.
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Wait, wasn¡¯t there a Players' Weekend a few years ago with special uniforms?
Yes. The original Players' Weekends from 2017-19 featured special uniforms with players' nicknames or other slogans on the back. Remember the Mariners' Kyle Seager having "Corey's Brother" on his back in 2017, then just going with "Seager" in 2018?
Though the special uniforms and nicknames won't be part of things this season, players will don special hats with their numbers emblazoned on the side in a youthful design. These hats are available in the MLB Shop.
Will there be any other changes to attire or equipment?
Yes. Players can use customized bats and continue to wear personalized cleats, as is customary during the regular season. Given the creativity and flair we've seen featured on players' cleats through the years, it's a safe assumption that there will be some fun and colorful bat designs this weekend.
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How does Little League Classic fit into this?
The Little League Classic, which debuted in 2017 and features two MLB teams in a regular-season game at Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pa., has been incorporated into Players' Weekend for 2024. That game will be the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball matchup when the Yankees face the Tigers at 7:10 p.m. ET. This will be both teams' first appearance in the Little League Classic.
Players, coaches and families taking part in the 2024 Little League World Series will once again make up a large portion of the crowd for the game.