Name Plates on Game Jersey’s
Posted on 14. Jun, 2009 by Corey in All, Dayton Dragons Baseball, General Baseball.
It is no secret that the Dayton Dragons organization runs itself like a major league franchise, not like a typical Single-A club. Whether on or off the field, the Dragons do everything first class. They cut no corners in anything that they do.
Outfitting the players in game jerseys is no exception. It is seen, but a rarity in this level of baseball, to place names on the back of the game uniforms to identify each player. Players always have a number, but Dayton also gives them their name on the back.
Using a “name plate” Dayton gives the players their own identity and also helps the fans get to know who they are cheering for. These name plates are easy to sew on or remove, allowing other players to wear the same jerseys when there are roster changes. Sewing letters directly onto the jersey, like the big leagues usually do, is much more difficult to change quickly.
It is very common in the minor leagues for teams to have a large number of players appear on their roster throughout the season. Dayton makes sure each one of them get a name plate on their jersey. Sometimes, due to last minute roster moves, a player may go a day or two without one, but most of the time they arrive and find their jersey in their locker with their name already attached.
When Dragons outfielder/infielder Stephen Chapman joined the team in early May, he was pleasantly surprised to see his name on the back of his uniform. “This is the first time in my life where I have had my name of the back,” Chapman said.
