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MLB Comes Down On Little Leaguers
By Bloggaman | May 28, 2008
There was a story yesterday in the Southtown Star that caught my attention. In fact, it was mentioned first on The Bob and Tom Show and I then went out and found the article. It is in regards to Little League baseball teams using the names of Major League Baseball teams.
I guess MLB has been going after the makers of the team uniforms. The uniform makers aren’t using the logo’s, which is obviously a trademark violation. They are using the names such as Cubs, Dodgers, Phillies and Yankees. MLB is saying the names are also trademarks and can’t be used. Even though the teams might be the Tinley Park Giants or the Arlington Heights Phillies it is still violating trademark laws.
If they want to use the actual names they must buy the uniforms from Majestic Athletic, the exclusive 
apparel licensee of MLB. The article in the Southtown Star mentions that royalty free T-Shirts are available as an option and I did find the following shirts as mentioned in the article. These seem like a great option for kids while also priced right.
I understand what the MLB is doing but at the same time it seems like it could hurt them in the long run. Now that the story has made the news it will paint the MLB in a bad light and could hurt their reputation. After all, we are talking about kids that live to honor the players they watch play the game. They are just trying to be like a major leaguer in their own right. The kids aren’t doing anything wrong but when you hear the story you think the MLB is picking on the kids. Once you read the story you hear the whole truth and understand it a little better.
As the story states, “It’s never the youth league, primarily. It’s always the retailer”. When you hear that you soften your stance a bit. MLB is a business after all and any one of us would do the same thing in similar circumstances. I just think the MLB could do a better job of working with communities. Get the word out that they have uniforms for sale from the same company that makes the uniforms for the real life MLB players. I think that would just add to the fun for the kids. The MLB makes their money and the kids get an even better tie to their favorite players.
What does irritate me a little is the title of the story, “MLB to kids: You’re not in our league”. When you look at that you quickly get the view that the MLB is picking on little kids when in reality that isn’t the case. You have to read the entire story before you truly understand what is going on. I am behind the MLB and what they are trying to do. I think there are clear options for Little League’s out there that want to give their players the feel of a major leaguer. Lets all follow the rules and everyone makes out in the end.
Topics: Sports |
