Why are baseball players wearing numbers on their hats this weekend? Because Players’ Weekend is back!

Major League Baseball Players’ Weekend is meant to be a platform for players to celebrate the people, places, and causes that have influenced their lives (while, naturally, sneaking in some new merch out there to fans). It’s the first time we’ve had a Players’ Weekend since 2019, and it will run through the entire weekend of August 16-17-18, 2024.

The cap patches will be the most visually obvious aspect of the 2024 edition of MLB Players’ Weekend. Each player’s uniform number will be displayed on the side panel in a “youthful design,” with each number from 0 to 9 featuring a distinct design. The rest of each player’s gear, including bats and cleats, can be customized as the player wishes, not restricted by their team’s colour scheme.

Expect to see plenty of personalized touches on the field. Players will opt for bats and cleats that reflect their roots, whether their hometowns, alma maters, or family connections. Others might pay tribute to favourite characters, nicknames, or foundations they support. MLB teams will share stories and content throughout the weekend to highlight the significance behind these choices.

SHOP: 2024 Players’ Weekend caps available now

Players’ Weekend debuted in 2017, originally featuring colourful pullover uniforms and player nicknames on the back of jerseys. The event became an annual tradition for three seasons, finishing up in 2019 — that was the season during which the uniforms bizarrely shifted to either an entirely all-black or all-white design, which was meant to highlight each player’s individuality through customized gear rather than their uniform colour. Did that kill the first run of Players’ Weekend? Who knows, but it took five years for us even to get a whiff of it again.

This year, Players’ Weekend is divided into three themed days:

• Friday, August 16: “FUN,” highlighting players’ personalities, friendships, and hobbies.
• Saturday, August 17: “CAUSES,” focusing on charitable and community initiatives important to the players.
• Sunday, August 18: “APPRECIATION,” dedicated to honouring those who supported the players on their journey to the Major Leagues.

After the weekend, some of the special items used by players will be auctioned off, with the proceeds going to charities chosen by the players.

The 2024 Little League Classic will cap off Players’ Weekend, with the New York Yankees facing the Detroit Tigers in Williamsport, PA, on Sunday night. This game will be broadcast live in the United States on ESPN and, I’m assuming, on one of either Sportsnet or TSN in Canada. (sorry, Major League Baseball’s press release didn’t include any broadcast details for one of their team’s markets)