MLB Dress Code?

Lono missed the right time to post "Lone nut."

 

The person who wrote the ESPN article hasn't covered much baseball. The dress standards are absolutely not the same as the other major pro sports, which was oft-noted by the committee. And the committee's discussions were very much about both genders. Male attire is an issue in baseball, and again, I don't think people understand that camerapersons are included in this: lots of logo clothing, shorts, flip flops. That was noted numerous times.

Flip flops were a specific request from the baseball trainers and they might have begun this entire process. As I mentioned, one media member wore flip flops throughout last year's World Series. All prominent baseball officials are at that event. It's considered the jewel event of the sport. Flip flops? It was noticed. By everyone.

Trainers pointed out the sanitary issue with flip flops - feet sliding off onto the floor - and trainers say they have seen people with flip flops slide them off and stand barefoot in the clubhouse and on the field. I've never seen that, and it's gross to even consider, but that was a contention. Also, they are considered a safety hazard, a tripping liability.

Again, this is a baseball issue that doesn't necessarily apply to all other sports where media members aren't going down rickety, splintery narrow stairs at Fenway Park, slippery and very far spaced stairs at some of the new parks, or slogging through standing water in runways and in dugouts. People are discouting the flip-flop thing or making fun of it. I was on the committee: It was considered a major and central issue. Bra straps and tank tops weren't.

More than anything, I think baseball would like to up the level of attire just a bit. The sport's media is extremely slobby, in general, when compared to the other pro sports. Anyone who covers baseball and another of the pro sports will know this to be true.

 

I don't think I'm treading any new ground when I say I'd like to spend two minutes inside the head of the fellow who wore flip-flops while covering the World Series.

No longer than two minutes, but two minutes.

 

Not once did I say the players care about any of this.

 

Two questions that I hope Susan can answer:

I totally get the flip-flop issue, but does that extend to all open-toed shoes? Or just ones with no strap around the heel? Are strappy "dress sandals" considered appropriate?

Was there any discussion of the damage that high heels (especially stilettos) can have on the grass? Any teams concerned with the liability of someone getting a stiletto stuck in the grass and twisting an ankle? Seems like this might be on par with the far-spaced stairs concern.

 

Anyone who wears stilettos onto the grass is not entirely wise and probably never has worn stilettos before, is my guess. The few stiletto-wearers I've ever seen on the field seem to stick on the dirt. Why anyone would wear anything like that to a sporting event is beyond me, and I extend this sentiment to people in the crowd, too.

There was some discussion about open-toed shoes beyond flip-flops. I have some I wear sometimes that don't have straps, and they're flat, but I'm am hopeful they're not considered in the flip flop category because they're dressy, they're attractive and my feet don't fall off them, nor would I ever kick them off anywhere but in my own home. If someone from MLB or a club wants to call me on them, I'll leave them out of the work rotation, but I seriously doubt anyone will play dress-code police.

Only if there is some extreme instance of poor dress will this ever be brought up, and my understanding is that it's likely to be a gentle reminder and maybe another copy of the guidelines will get sent to the media outlet.

 

I actually feel very stupid talking about all of this: I have the worst fashion sense of just about anyone I know. (Cheryl, if you're out there still, you know this to be fact.)

 

>>>funny that so many of our male counterparts are suddenly distressed that they too might be judged by their clothing choices. Welcome to our world, guys.<<<

Who is doing the judging? The security guard who works the clubhouse door?

 

I hate flip flops and hate to see peoples' feet. But I've also seen sockless people wear "regular" shoes and incessantly step out of them. Is that also a "sanitary" issue that troubles the trainers?

If there was an individual who wore them at the World Series, here's a suggestion -- mention it to that one person instead of trying to make it an industry-wide issue. Doesn't seem like it's really a widespread problem.

As far as baseball media being more "slobby" than people who cover other sports: I don't know, if other sports had 162 games, played during the summer and required media to be on hand four hours before the start of the game, maybe the other sports wouldn't be quite so formal.

Baseball is different. That's why hockey players wear suits to home games and baseball players wear faded t-shirts from Flashdancers, baggy shorts and, gasp, flip flops.

 

Sure must be embarrassing to be the one asshat who wore flip-flops to the World Series.

 

Ok, so MLB issuing a written dress code is going a little too far. But, seriously, did it have to come to this?

I have always taken seriously the job of representing my workplace when dealing with the public, whether at a high school event or major league. Do people not realize that what you wear says something about YOU and the organization you represent? You're there to work, not just hang out like a bleacher bum at Wrigley Field. I mean, c'mon, you're getting paid to cover a sporting event, for crying out loud. Can't you at least dress in a manner that isn't embarassing or offensive?

 

I haven't covered any racing in years, but is it NASCAR, IRL or NHRA that has a dress code, citing safety concerns? No shorts, no open-toed shoes, etc.