Major League Baseball

New MLB policy bans rookie hazing

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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A new policy from Major League Baseball prohibits teams from hazing rookie players.

If you’ve ever seen teams dress up their rookie players as women, super heroes, Hooters girls, and things like that, don’t get used to it. According to a new rule, teams are no longer allowed to participate in this form of “rookie hazing.”

There is a new policy that has been implemented by Major League Baseball, which prohibits players from “requiring, coercing, or encouraging” younger players to dress up as women or wearing costumes that are deemed offensive to them based on their race, sex, nationality, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or other characteristic.

MLB Vice President Paul MIsfud said on Monday that the new rules resulted partly because of social media, and photos of players dressed up being potentially offensive to certain groups. You would often see players wearing costumes on late-season plane trips.

Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals appeared as a member of the U.S. Olympic women’s gymnastics team, Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angles turned into singer Lady Gaga, and Carlos Correa was dressed up as Wonder Woman. Chase Headly of the San Diego Padres wore the popular orange shorts and white tops of Hooters servers. Most ideas along those lines are out the door as of 2017.

Now there are some costumes that WILL be allowed. Examples of some that will pass include:

Locker room bullying came under heavy scrutiny in recent years thanks in part to the NFL. There was an incident involving the Mimi Dolphins, where Richie Incognito and two other players were found to be bullying teammate Jonathan Martin.

The purpose of this policy is not to prohibit ALL traditions regarding rookies or players, but rather to prohibit those that may cause harm to players or that could be offensive to players, staff or fans.

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