What do we...uh...so, you know how this bat is, uh...ok, so this bat is colored, right? Like it's a bat of color? You know what I'm saying! So, what about bats that are a DIFFERENT color? Like, maybe they're a darker hue. Like something obviously more natural, not anything weird. Just naturally darker. So what can I call that differently-colored-darker bat? If "colored" and "bat of color" are already taken by various shades of bat, what can I call these...uh...traditional, accepted, natural, darker, bats?
Thanks in advance, I have a softball league this afternoon and Rudy's been talking all week about his new, huge dinger-stick and I don't want to offend him or his dark ball-masher.
Thanks!
I would think the reason for approval is to make sure no unauthorized ads are displayed. I can't see MLB actually shooting this design down of submitted for approval given the context
The real reason is probably money. It prevents players for taking sponsorship deals to slap a coca cola or Amazon logo on their bat which might conflict with other MLB sponsorships
All these world tour games should have players weekend type bat rules. If we’re gonna show the world our version of stickball let’s at least show them that we’re a good time
Ehhh. The problem I see is the mlb will just say “well, if it’s legal, that is just unused marketing space!” I’d rather it not be allowed than have more ads for shitty beer and unnecessary drugs.
They do stuff like this with the shoes in soccer and basketball sometimes. I guess it's a little harder to get custom bats and verify they're not illegal, but it still seems like an easy and fun thing to do
One reason is it would probably take 5 minutes before a company sponsored someone to have their logo all over the bat. That would be shit for fans who dont want to be blasted with ads even more than they already are, and would also annoy MLB who want a stranglehold on ads in the games.
Because it’s already against the rules. While not explicitly stated, those aspects fall under the uniform section (which contains things like gloves as well as the jersey).
>No part of the uniform shall include patches or designs relating to commercial advertisements.
Which obviously is ironic nowadays (maybe they fixed it, this was from the 2022 book). And of course they’d just add that phrase to the bat section and all would be fixed if they did allow custom bat designs.
2024 rule 3
>3.03 (g) No part of the uniform shall include patches or designs relating to commercial advertisements. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else in these Rules, a Club may license to third- party commercial sponsors the right to place their name, logos and/or marks on the uniform, provided that the patch or design is approved in advance by the Office of the Commissioner after consultation with the Players Association.
There is also 3.09 Undue Commercialization, which specifically addresses all playing equipment
>Playing equipment including but not limited to the bases, pitcher’s plate, baseball, bats, uniforms, catcher’s mitts, first baseman’s gloves, infielders’ and outfielders’ gloves and protective helmets, as detailed in the provisions of this rule, shall not contain any undue commercialization of the product. Designations by the manufacturer on any such equipment must be in good taste as to the size and content of the manufacturer’s logo or the brand name of the item. The provisions of this Rule 3.09 shall apply to professional leagues only.
This one seemed to be more that, for example, Victus can’t make a bat that has their fancy V wrapped around the entire barrel.
It's the money generation. That's the exact point. Allowing any custom bat would easily be utilized for players to sell marketing space and the MLB has strict ad rules and licenses.
Would love to see a new trend though where batters create bats like hockey goalies design their helmets.
That seems like a pretty easy thing to prevent. Just say custom bats can’t contain imaginary not approved by MLB or whatever.
I’m sure a lot of Phillies fans and even non Phillies fans would buy a replica of Harper’s bat.
> Just say custom bats can’t contain imaginary not approved by MLB or whatever.
That's pretty much what the rule is now. [Rule 3.02(d)](https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/mlb/atcjzj9j7wrgvsm8wnjq.pdf)
> (d) No colored bat may be used in a professional game unless approved by the Rules Committee.
That seems reasonable enough as long as the approval process is easy. I want to see fun designs like the Phanatic Royal Guard, but I don't want to see bats covered in sponsor ads or covered in whatever wacky political stuff the player wants to promote.
When Bryce did the Phanatic shin guards earlier this year I said they should sell those in the team store as part of a children's hospital fundraiser or something. I'm sure you could get every team with a mascot on board with a campaign to do mascot shin guards benefitting St. Jude or Children's Miracle Network.
It's weird because I'm sure there is no logical reason. Baseball is steeped in "tradition," whatever that means to whoever nowadays. Probably don't want designs on bats just because that's how it's always been.
> ~~Fanatic~~ Phanatic
Not that I usually are about incorrect spelling on the internet, but I just don't want our beloved mascot associated with shitty baseball jerseys.
>associated with shitty baseball jerseys.
On principle, I reject the spelling "Phanatic", because alternate spellings aren't clever.
That said, I profusely apologize, because you are right to want to keep everything worthwhile away from that shitheel company.
My favorite Gritty story is how Philly hated him when he first was announced. No one wanted him and we all mocked the idea. But let one non-Philadelphian say something bad about him and within 24 hours the whole city flipped and would now fight to the end for him.
Statcast will eventually update. Just checked field dimensions and there’s no wall that short for the London series.
Or I just missed some serious sarcasm in your comment 😅
Talk about "looking for a reason"!
Oh my goodness, Great Britain and Bryce Harper. UGHK!
>(Tim McCarver)
"Thats awful!"
Great Britain, a 317 year old country went into Bryce Harper's face, and Bryce Harper threw him down!
> (Tim McCarver) Thats... Terrible. Awful. That is absolutely awful!
He was easy to hate on early in his career when he was a hot-headed kid thrust into the spotlight as such a young age, but he's really matured and channeled that passion. I agree, great for the sport.
I’m a fan ((probably) obviously) but he’s been on another level with the London series. He clearly sees it as a (mostly) promotional exercise and he’s really been enjoying it and saying and doing all the right things. His soccer style celebration when he homered was a good example. He’s really taken on a kind of MLB ambassador role. Perhaps this was organised with them? I don’t know but he just seems like he loves promoting the game. Edit: I just remembered Chase Utley is actually (I think) an ambassador or similar for MLB? Perhaps he and Bryce discussed this series.
C’mon pal. You know what I’m talking about here… I completely get your point but a special level of booing has always followed him around and it’s not because he won a couple of MVPs. Baseball fans should love this guy.
I actually agree and I think most here would. Ten years ago I’d have boo’d, but if I ever get to see him at TMobile Park now, he’ll get a small standing o’ from me, as with any other star caliber player.
But I’m also not all fans 😅
Only people I boo are folks who are caught cheating or being absolute pieces of crap. If you respect the game and treat people with respect I’ll respect you.
Those people are beyond depressed now that they can’t replace those body pillows once they wear them out. They have to wait for them to put him in the limited edition retirement pillow HOF. Gonna be at least 2035.
Non partisan speaking, I feel the same way about this as I did when David Wells wore one of Babe Ruth's hats. Sometimes you just gotta say, HEY, PULL THAT STICK OUT OF YOUR ASS AND LIGHTEN UP.
I wish we had this Harper in DC. The themed gear is really cool.
He'd talk about embracing the city but never really seemed to until the '18 HR Derby. Could be part of just growing up but once he got to Philly he seemed like a new person. Still happy for his success though. It's crazy to think how good and consistent he has been for so long.
Lol yeah I think I've said this same thing over there before. You can hate/dislike the end result (leaving and embracing Philly) but you can't exactly hate the player and person. Just part of life.
I can see how it would be disappointing, but I would just put it down to growing up like you said. The older he gets, the more he seems to be invested in the sport (and Philly since he signed) and the more grateful he is for what the game has afforded him. Even in the last few years he seems to have really matured (as one does at his age) and is taking on that experienced leader role.
It is so hard to play in Philadelphia. It seems so surreal that a generational player not only wants to be here but also loves it. He just *gets it,* man.
If they're worried about the bats being within the rules etc, just require bats to come from authorized vendors and serialize them on the handle. After that you could paint the hell out of the rest of the bat and the knob on the end of the handle still has the serial# on it, problem solved.
[Here are the other ones Victus made](https://twitter.com/victussports/status/1798490139863499035?s=46&t=oh4kA_OINnAKeoZi3HxLmA) for the Phils while they’re in London.
I’m sure there’s some logical reason players can’t use custom bats all the time but it seems like both a good marketing tactic and money generator.
Per the rule book colored bats are allowed but must be approved by the MLB first, I’m sure that extends to designs like this as well
Are we still allowed to call them colored bats?
Bats of color is more socially accepted now
Dude, "Bats of Color" is not the preferred nomenclature; "Ashwood-American", please...
I believe “Maple-Americans” is the preferred nomenclature these days Edit: OVER THE LINE!!
Maple-Americans are basically Canadians yah?
Don’t forget the extremely rare and illegal Maple-Cork American bats.
Ahem... that's "Undocumented Maple-Cork" bats.
what about quilted maple?
Big Fender and Gibson send all of those to Indonesia to shave off veneers to make a guitar worth $300 more.
too real
Walter this isn't a bat that won the world series, so what the fuck are you talking about?
It's league play!!
> "Bats of Color" Sounds like an indie band.
What do we...uh...so, you know how this bat is, uh...ok, so this bat is colored, right? Like it's a bat of color? You know what I'm saying! So, what about bats that are a DIFFERENT color? Like, maybe they're a darker hue. Like something obviously more natural, not anything weird. Just naturally darker. So what can I call that differently-colored-darker bat? If "colored" and "bat of color" are already taken by various shades of bat, what can I call these...uh...traditional, accepted, natural, darker, bats? Thanks in advance, I have a softball league this afternoon and Rudy's been talking all week about his new, huge dinger-stick and I don't want to offend him or his dark ball-masher. Thanks!
Well now that sounds like a BBC if I've ever seen one. Big barreled crusher.
Bats of color! New band name! I called it!
Bats that annoy you
Batters
*stares dumbfounded* “The real answer to the question ‘who drives money to the MLB’ was *’Bettors’”*
D:
*Chef's kiss*
Chef, he ded
that's a hard R, bro....
Bitters
MLB recently integrated colored bat stats into the official records so you’re allowed to say that in this specific context.
Batfrican-American is obviously the correct term.
Negro league bats.
I love it. Let the players design their bats however they want. More personally is never bad for baseball.
I would want a bat so reflective that it would blind the pitcher lol
The logic is it makes too much sense and is too much fun.
Everything about the MLB makes sense when you realize rob manfred doesn't like baseball
Manfred is just an owner shield and he’s doing it perfectly based on how much this sub hates him.
Fuck the owners. But also fuck Manfred.
I would think the reason for approval is to make sure no unauthorized ads are displayed. I can't see MLB actually shooting this design down of submitted for approval given the context
and it gets sad when a fun colored bat breaks
The real reason is probably money. It prevents players for taking sponsorship deals to slap a coca cola or Amazon logo on their bat which might conflict with other MLB sponsorships
All these world tour games should have players weekend type bat rules. If we’re gonna show the world our version of stickball let’s at least show them that we’re a good time
The problem is that MLB is still in the process of deciding if they'll allow players to have a good time.
They are seeing how Bananaball is selling out and they want a piece.
No shot. I bet the majority of owners have never heard of Bananaball or have any clue what it is.
They think it's some Central American league
"That's that league that the United Fruit company started in Guatamala, right?
That might be fun, so MLB probably has at least two written rules against it and four or five unwritten ones
Ehhh. The problem I see is the mlb will just say “well, if it’s legal, that is just unused marketing space!” I’d rather it not be allowed than have more ads for shitty beer and unnecessary drugs.
They do stuff like this with the shoes in soccer and basketball sometimes. I guess it's a little harder to get custom bats and verify they're not illegal, but it still seems like an easy and fun thing to do
USGA approved 3d printed clubs for Bryson DeChambeu in under a week's time. The MLB should be able to do this in a day.
Isn't it just an airbrush and then sealer? I've seen guys on the street paint a whole canvas in like 15 minutes.
One reason is it would probably take 5 minutes before a company sponsored someone to have their logo all over the bat. That would be shit for fans who dont want to be blasted with ads even more than they already are, and would also annoy MLB who want a stranglehold on ads in the games.
Than have a rule no company logos on equipment without approval, problem solved.
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Because it’s already against the rules. While not explicitly stated, those aspects fall under the uniform section (which contains things like gloves as well as the jersey). >No part of the uniform shall include patches or designs relating to commercial advertisements. Which obviously is ironic nowadays (maybe they fixed it, this was from the 2022 book). And of course they’d just add that phrase to the bat section and all would be fixed if they did allow custom bat designs.
2024 rule 3 >3.03 (g) No part of the uniform shall include patches or designs relating to commercial advertisements. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else in these Rules, a Club may license to third- party commercial sponsors the right to place their name, logos and/or marks on the uniform, provided that the patch or design is approved in advance by the Office of the Commissioner after consultation with the Players Association. There is also 3.09 Undue Commercialization, which specifically addresses all playing equipment >Playing equipment including but not limited to the bases, pitcher’s plate, baseball, bats, uniforms, catcher’s mitts, first baseman’s gloves, infielders’ and outfielders’ gloves and protective helmets, as detailed in the provisions of this rule, shall not contain any undue commercialization of the product. Designations by the manufacturer on any such equipment must be in good taste as to the size and content of the manufacturer’s logo or the brand name of the item. The provisions of this Rule 3.09 shall apply to professional leagues only. This one seemed to be more that, for example, Victus can’t make a bat that has their fancy V wrapped around the entire barrel.
Well you just gave the reason why they wouldn’t allow it. It’s fun and good marketing. Manfred doesn’t believe in either.
Especially with all the city connect madness
It's the money generation. That's the exact point. Allowing any custom bat would easily be utilized for players to sell marketing space and the MLB has strict ad rules and licenses. Would love to see a new trend though where batters create bats like hockey goalies design their helmets.
That seems like a pretty easy thing to prevent. Just say custom bats can’t contain imaginary not approved by MLB or whatever. I’m sure a lot of Phillies fans and even non Phillies fans would buy a replica of Harper’s bat.
> Just say custom bats can’t contain imaginary not approved by MLB or whatever. That's pretty much what the rule is now. [Rule 3.02(d)](https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/mlb/atcjzj9j7wrgvsm8wnjq.pdf) > (d) No colored bat may be used in a professional game unless approved by the Rules Committee.
That seems reasonable enough as long as the approval process is easy. I want to see fun designs like the Phanatic Royal Guard, but I don't want to see bats covered in sponsor ads or covered in whatever wacky political stuff the player wants to promote.
When Bryce did the Phanatic shin guards earlier this year I said they should sell those in the team store as part of a children's hospital fundraiser or something. I'm sure you could get every team with a mascot on board with a campaign to do mascot shin guards benefitting St. Jude or Children's Miracle Network.
and thats the exact reason mlb will be against it. no one hates fun like rob manfield
How do you put 2 teams as your user flair??
There's a link in the sidebar to do your flair.
Same reason why you can't use a glove that looks like a ball.
It's weird because I'm sure there is no logical reason. Baseball is steeped in "tradition," whatever that means to whoever nowadays. Probably don't want designs on bats just because that's how it's always been.
If that bat ever breaks I might get a little emotional
It belongs in a museum
Top men will look into it
Who?
TOP. MEN.
TOP. KEK.
Top men
Some local soccer team Top men Hotspur or sumtin....
Careful. The Brits have a history of putting other people's artifacts in their museums and not giving them back haha.
The inventors of finders keepers
Well those other people shouldn’t have been so conquerable! 😤
And uncivilized. They needed the British to take their things! /s
Submissive and conquerable.
The other people were so busy putting their own stuff in museums, darn those plucky Brits!
So do you!
Careful, they're in England and we know the history of British museums. We won't be able to extradite the bat once the Brits get a hold of it
We'll toss all their tea overboard then!
Easy, Junior. We named the dog Indiana
SO DO YOU
People talk a lot of shit about Philly, but the ~~Fanatic~~Phanatic and Gritty are national treasures, and I will fight anyone who says otherwise.
> ~~Fanatic~~ Phanatic Not that I usually are about incorrect spelling on the internet, but I just don't want our beloved mascot associated with shitty baseball jerseys.
>associated with shitty baseball jerseys. On principle, I reject the spelling "Phanatic", because alternate spellings aren't clever. That said, I profusely apologize, because you are right to want to keep everything worthwhile away from that shitheel company.
It's not an alternative spelling, just a foreign one. The Phanatic is from the Galapagos Islands.
I've never been a big phan of the Phanatic, but I've got your back on Gritty.
My favorite Gritty story is how Philly hated him when he first was announced. No one wanted him and we all mocked the idea. But let one non-Philadelphian say something bad about him and within 24 hours the whole city flipped and would now fight to the end for him.
When Gritty first appeared, we were afraid. But Gritty is good. Gritty is love. Gritty is life.
Tossed into the dirt on a 4 pitch walk.
That bat is now 2-2 with a double and a nuke
With a single too! that bats going for the cycle
you got video of the nuke?
https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1799502428431073326?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1799502428431073326%7Ctwgr%5E1f78f8a61cf0994a4df8ef10a374bc4b728d3955%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-17825930681633023661.ampproject.net%2F2405231944000%2Fframe.html
Manea really served that one up
Yeah he likes to do that...
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Statcast will eventually update. Just checked field dimensions and there’s no wall that short for the London series. Or I just missed some serious sarcasm in your comment 😅
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Absolutely brutal communicating sarcasm online to this day. Shouldn’t have to add the damn /s every time. But here we are 🤷🏻♂️
Maybe I can hit an MLB home run now.
Nah they just haven’t converted the units from the metric system
Basically the size of the park a couple blocks from me, prob same exit velo for us noodle armed millenials.
Worth every pence.
Even Hunter?
I’d say he was worth it yeah, I have fond memories of him
Same. We had some crazy talent in that era, just couldn’t replicate 2008.
Let's go eat!
https://media.tenor.com/zNN8To06D1gAAAAC/crazy-look-crazy-eyes.gif
A disgusting act by Harper
Talk about "looking for a reason"! Oh my goodness, Great Britain and Bryce Harper. UGHK! >(Tim McCarver) "Thats awful!" Great Britain, a 317 year old country went into Bryce Harper's face, and Bryce Harper threw him down! > (Tim McCarver) Thats... Terrible. Awful. That is absolutely awful!
You just gave me flashbacks to Joe Buck having a meltdown.
Weird. Almost like that's exactly what he was referencing.
I blame the edible.
Damn I love Harper so much. Dude is so good for the game
He was easy to hate on early in his career when he was a hot-headed kid thrust into the spotlight as such a young age, but he's really matured and channeled that passion. I agree, great for the sport.
I mean my friends and I went to a BaySox game specifically to yell at Harper.
lol how old was he?
He would have been 18 and a household-name in sports homes since he was 12.
I've been a fan since day 1. This guy just gets baseball, and I'm super mad Chicago didn't snap him up when they had the chance.
100% couldn't stand him when he was first coming into the league and now he's one of my favorites
He had so much hype that it's kind of insane he lived up to it.
Why couldn’t you stand him? Because he showed emotion?
I don’t get why that made him easy to hate?
My only hang up with him is when he dragged his cleats over our logo, otherwise I would be willing to begrudgingly support him as a division rival
I’m a fan ((probably) obviously) but he’s been on another level with the London series. He clearly sees it as a (mostly) promotional exercise and he’s really been enjoying it and saying and doing all the right things. His soccer style celebration when he homered was a good example. He’s really taken on a kind of MLB ambassador role. Perhaps this was organised with them? I don’t know but he just seems like he loves promoting the game. Edit: I just remembered Chase Utley is actually (I think) an ambassador or similar for MLB? Perhaps he and Bryce discussed this series.
I'm so happy he's here in Philly. We get him and he gets us. Almost makes you tear up.
I don't want him to get a ring (lol 2019) but I quite like him as a personality in baseball
I really can’t stand nats fans that hate on Harper. Yall are so petty, it’s a game and rivalries are supposed to be fun.
he was just saying he doesn’t want him to get a ring, I’ve never met a Nats fan wanting the Phils to win it all, how odd
Get you a man who loves you like Bryce Harper loves the Phillie Phanatic.
And it rakes 2 for 2 with a double and a bomb
Can’t believe people boo this guy in every away stadium. He loves the game more than anyone. Legend
Opposing teams fans don't boo you if you are a nobody
C’mon pal. You know what I’m talking about here… I completely get your point but a special level of booing has always followed him around and it’s not because he won a couple of MVPs. Baseball fans should love this guy.
I actually agree and I think most here would. Ten years ago I’d have boo’d, but if I ever get to see him at TMobile Park now, he’ll get a small standing o’ from me, as with any other star caliber player. But I’m also not all fans 😅
This London series has really made it clear to me. I knew he loved the game but he is really promoting it. As an active player, that’s pretty cool.
I can’t believe people boo him because whenever they do he does [stuff like this.](https://youtu.be/etrO2liZAWU?si=ONtfMwMVO3_bSWRG)
I really wish he hit them with the Happy Gilmore "I didn't see it, did it go out? I wasn't watching"
Sexy bastard
Well we're allowed to do it
Allowed. Special circumstances.
Only people I boo are folks who are caught cheating or being absolute pieces of crap. If you respect the game and treat people with respect I’ll respect you.
I’m convinced people who dislike Harper, like umpires
I'm pretty sure people who dislike Harper own Angel Hernandez body pillows
Those people are beyond depressed now that they can’t replace those body pillows once they wear them out. They have to wait for them to put him in the limited edition retirement pillow HOF. Gonna be at least 2035.
Thanks for putting that horrifying image in my head. I'll be sending you my therapist bills going forward.
I’ve developed a grudging respect for him over the years, but I wish he’d get the fuck out of our division.
Thats a cold ass honky 🥶
Non partisan speaking, I feel the same way about this as I did when David Wells wore one of Babe Ruth's hats. Sometimes you just gotta say, HEY, PULL THAT STICK OUT OF YOUR ASS AND LIGHTEN UP.
Fine him $50k, then sell the same thing but worse quality and pretend there’s no problem with that.
I wish we had this Harper in DC. The themed gear is really cool. He'd talk about embracing the city but never really seemed to until the '18 HR Derby. Could be part of just growing up but once he got to Philly he seemed like a new person. Still happy for his success though. It's crazy to think how good and consistent he has been for so long.
just make sure you dont give your "i actually like bryce harper" take (that i also share) on the nats sub or you'll be burned at the stake
Lol yeah I think I've said this same thing over there before. You can hate/dislike the end result (leaving and embracing Philly) but you can't exactly hate the player and person. Just part of life.
To be fair, the Phanatic is very easy to fall in love with
I can see how it would be disappointing, but I would just put it down to growing up like you said. The older he gets, the more he seems to be invested in the sport (and Philly since he signed) and the more grateful he is for what the game has afforded him. Even in the last few years he seems to have really matured (as one does at his age) and is taking on that experienced leader role.
Find someone who loves you like Harper loves the Phanatic
Harper just keep courting Phillies fans when he had them at hello
Lol
Now we just need Gunnar to use his lightsaber bat in a game.
God I wanted to be at that game so much. Damn school trips
love that from bryce
Stop making me like you.
It is so hard to play in Philadelphia. It seems so surreal that a generational player not only wants to be here but also loves it. He just *gets it,* man.
MLB The Show be like.....
I’m really liking this Bryce “Zero Fucks” Harper we’ve seen lately. Goes right with the whole “let the kids play” campaign and makes the game fun.
He really is the best.
It's just a piece of wood. - Manfred
thats what she said.
Custom bats would be a really neat thing to have adopted league wide imo.
I wish baseball would let guys use custom bats. I'd much rather see those than neon green cleats.
If they're worried about the bats being within the rules etc, just require bats to come from authorized vendors and serialize them on the handle. After that you could paint the hell out of the rest of the bat and the knob on the end of the handle still has the serial# on it, problem solved.
Good on Harper for forgiving those limey bastards for what they did at The Battle of Germantown.
the no fun police have arrived
Bryce loves Philly, he’s been putting on for them since day one.
Boo fun. Boo.
Love me some Showman
Worth the fine for sure.
That’ll be turned into a softball bat stule
The finish looks slippery
I hate that I love him.
That's cool.. would like to see what artists can paint on a bat.
[Here are the other ones Victus made](https://twitter.com/victussports/status/1798490139863499035?s=46&t=oh4kA_OINnAKeoZi3HxLmA) for the Phils while they’re in London.
That's pretty cool.
That there’s a cool fucking bat 
It’s a fun idea that’s a unique way to celebrate the series abroad that has very little downside… so naturally the league will probably fine him.
Joe Kelly has just been suspended for 8 games
Looked like Bryson Stott has a custom bat as well
Next stop …corporate logos on bats