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MLB blocks Nationals' military-themed hats during game
The Washington Nationals had planned to wear hats with military insignias during their game Tuesday, but Major League Baseball blocked the decision.
Instead, the Nationals were allowed to wear the hats only in batting practice.
MLB prefers to have special hats used for national tributes like July 4, where every club is wearing them on the same day. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The Washington Post notes that the Nationals would have worn those hats in their first homestand since 30 soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan earlier this month.
So, why did MLB reject the hats?
A spokeswoman for the Nationals issued this statement to The Washington Post: "As a team that is dedicated to supporting our military service men and women, we requested permission from Major League Baseball to wear hats representing all of the military branches during batting practice and throughout the game. We realize this was an extraordinary request and were pleased when permission was granted to use the hats during batting practice. The players were honored to wear the hats and in doing so were able to demonstrate the team's solidarity with our military community."
The Washington Post then contacted MLB, which explained that league prefers teams to commemorate specific causes with uniform patches or batting practice displays, rather than the actual game hats.
"We reserve hats for national tributes, where every club is wearing them on the same day," MLB spokesman Pat Courtney told the newspaper. "But we're happy to work with clubs on alternatives."
The Washington Nationals had planned to wear hats with military insignias during their game Tuesday, but Major League Baseball blocked the decision.
Instead, the Nationals were allowed to wear the hats only in batting practice.
MLB prefers to have special hats used for national tributes like July 4, where every club is wearing them on the same day. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The Washington Post notes that the Nationals would have worn those hats in their first homestand since 30 soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan earlier this month.
So, why did MLB reject the hats?
A spokeswoman for the Nationals issued this statement to The Washington Post: "As a team that is dedicated to supporting our military service men and women, we requested permission from Major League Baseball to wear hats representing all of the military branches during batting practice and throughout the game. We realize this was an extraordinary request and were pleased when permission was granted to use the hats during batting practice. The players were honored to wear the hats and in doing so were able to demonstrate the team's solidarity with our military community."
The Washington Post then contacted MLB, which explained that league prefers teams to commemorate specific causes with uniform patches or batting practice displays, rather than the actual game hats.
"We reserve hats for national tributes, where every club is wearing them on the same day," MLB spokesman Pat Courtney told the newspaper. "But we're happy to work with clubs on alternatives."
