After a four-season hiatus, Players Weekend returns this Friday to give players an enhanced voice and creative outlet as they showcase their personalities in an effort to grow the game.
The laid-back, fun vibe will be the same as you remember, but some details have changed in this reimagined presentation. Here’s everything you need to know.
When is Players Weekend?
The weekend begins Friday and continues until Sunday. All 30 teams will participate.
What is Players Weekend?
It’s an opportunity for players to be themselves, help their favorite charities or simply explain what motivates them. The idea is to showcase MLB players beyond their stats while telling their stories in a way that connects young fans and casual followers.
The 2024 edition will last three days, with each day featuring a different theme. Matchday themes will be displayed through in-stadium match presentation, broadcast enhancements, social media content and more. Here is the thematic breakdown:
Amusing (Friday): This will be the time to show the players’ personalities, friendships and interests off the field.
Causes (Saturday): This day will focus on players’ favorite charitable and community efforts.
Appreciation (Sunday): Players will pay tribute to the people who helped them on their journey to the major leagues.
To further celebrate the players who are impacting the game, Academy Award-nominated actor Brian Tyree Henry stars in MLB’s latest expansion. “Baseball is something else” campaign. In the spots, Henry plays an MLB scout who has seen it all, but he’s never seen anything like what’s happening on the field today. Through his eyes, Henry shines a light on the perfect storm of generational talent, engaging personalities, and exceptional acting currently on display. The campaign includes special giveaways across MLB’s social platforms.
Wait, wasn’t there a Players Weekend a few years ago with special uniforms?
Yes. The original Players’ Weekends from 2017 to 2019 featured special uniforms with player nicknames or other slogans on the back. Remember that Kyle Seager of the Mariners had “Corey’s Brother” on his back in 2017then just I’m going with “Seager” in 2018?
Although special uniforms and nicknames aren’t a thing this season, players will wear special hats with their numbers etched on the side in a youthful design. These hats are available in MLB Shop.
Will there be any other outfit or equipment changes?
Yes. Players can use custom racquets and continue to wear custom cleats, as is usual during the regular season. Given the creativity and style we’ve seen on players’ cleats over the years, it’s safe to assume there will be some fun and colorful bat designs this weekend.
How does the Little League Classic fit into all of this?
THE Little League Classicwhich debuted in 2017 and features two MLB teams in a regular season game at Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, has been incorporated into Players’ Weekend for 2024. This game will be the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball game when the Yankees take on the Tigers at 7:10 p.m. ET. This will be both teams’ first appearance in Classic Little League.
Players, coaches and families participating in the 2024 Little League World Series will once again make up a large part of the crowd for the game.
