MLB: League and union relax rules on shoe colours

Major League Baseball and the players’ union MLBPA have agreed to relax restrictions on the colouring of players’ shoes. From now on, more freedom will be granted to the actors.

The previous rules said that at least 51 percent of the players’ shoes must be in the primary colour designated by the team for shoes. For the Chicago Cubs, for example, that would be blue.

The Commssioner’s office had warned Ben Zobrist, Kyle Schwarber and Steve Cishek in May that they were wearing black shoes instead.

The new agreement now states that the primary color default is omitted. Players may now wear shoes that are predominantly in black, white or any color of a team’s uniform. In addition, teams can allow additional colors.

“We believe that this agreement strikes the appropriate balance between the self-realization of players’ individuality and the maintenance of reasonable restrictions on the color and design of footwear,” said MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, commenting on the new regulation.

MLBPA CEO Tony Clark commented: “Players welcome the extended opportunity to express themselves and reach out to fans through innovative design.”

This article was published without prior review by Major League Baseball.