PHOTOS: MLB players showcase personalities with custom bats, cleats
Players' Weekend returned this season, with hitters showcasing individuality through custom bat designs, while also supporting charities.
Cartoon characters Tom and Jerry are shown on the custom bat of Tampa Bay Rays' Yandy Díaz as he bats against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Milwaukee Brewers' Christian Yelich stands in the on-deck circle, holding a custom bat for Players' Weekend, in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz stands in the batter's box holding a custom bat for Players' Weekend in the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
Houston Astros' Taylor Trammell holds his custom bat during the third inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Houston, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Cincinnati Reds' Miguel Andujar prepares a special bat for Players' Weekend in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr. steps in the batter's box with his bat decorated for players' weekend in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Washington Nationals' CJ Abrams uses a custom alien-themed bat during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Nationals pitcher Jose A. Ferrer customized shoe is shown as he throws during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Chicago Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong uses a custom bat for Players' Weekend during the fourth inning of a baseball game Pittsburgh Pirates, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. (AP Photo/Mark Black)
San Francisco Giants' Willy Adames walks to the plate with his custom bat during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in San Francisco, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
The cleats worn by Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) are pictured during the first inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Custom bats for Players' Weekend are seen before a game between the Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Guardians, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
A custom bat for Players' Weekend lays in the grass before a game between the Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Guardians, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh wears a custom chest protector featuring Little League photos of his teammates for Player's Weekend during the second inning of the Little League Classic baseball game against the New York Mets at Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) uses his Players' Weekend custom bat during the first inning of the Little League Classic baseball game against the Seattle Mariners at Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
New York Mets' Juan Soto waits on deck wearing custom shoes for Players' Weekend during the fifth inning of the Little League Classic baseball game against the Seattle Mariners at Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) throws a bat with Mr. Mets' face printed as part of Players' Weekend during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Oakland Athletics' Khris Davis cleats for Players Weekend against the Minnesota Twins during a baseball game Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Minneapolis. Davis leads the majors with 39 home runs and ranks second in RBIs with 103 behind Boston's J.D. Martinez. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
As featured on
The playoff-bound Oakland Ballers of the independent Pioneer League are turning to AI to manage all aspects of Saturday's home game against the Great Falls Voyagers.
Major League Baseball's 11-man competition committee has approved use of the Automated Ball/Strike System in the major leagues in 2026.
San Diego’s Tony Gwynn had the previous low for an NL champion at .313 in 1988. The only lower average was .301 by Boston’s Carl Yastrzemski in 1968.
