Spring Training Uniforms

Posted on 12. Mar, 2009 by Corey in General Baseball.

They may not have any big league time, they may be stuck on the backfields in the blistering sun, they may play their spring training games in front of enough fans to count on one hand, and they be starting at the bottom of ladder on the road to the majors, but this spring, Cincinnati Reds minor league players will be dressing like the big leaguers.

Minor League Equipment Manager Jon Snyder has ordered all new jerseys and pants for minor league camp, an exact copy of the ones the big league team wears.  The only difference in the jerseys are that the minor league players have a “name plate” on the back of their jersey with their name on it, where the big league players have the letters directly applied to the jersey.  The name plates make it easier to switch the jerseys around from year to year as players move on.

The minor league players also wear the red stretch fit batting practice hats for their workouts and games.  Another major difference in the look is the pants.  Although the pants are the same, the minor league players are required to wear their pants “up,” with their entire red sock or stirrup showing.  Big league players are free to wear their pants however they wish.
The numbers that minor league players wear are usually totally random, and anywhere from 1 to 99.  Due to the large number of players in camp, there are bunches of duplicate numbers.  Also, the Cincinnati Reds retired numbers are not given out.  As the old saying goes, you may not be any good, but at least you look like a ball player.