MLB Players’ Weekend has finally arrived. Starting Friday, the league will allow its players to celebrate themselves and their personalities by relaxing some of the rules surrounding team uniforms. Players can show off with impressive footwear and custom bats.

The league originally started Players’ Weekend in 2017. It ran the event for three straight seasons before putting it on a hiatus. The celebration returned during the 2024 MLB season, albeit with modified rules. The event is back in 2025 and will mimic the 2024 celebration.

With things set to get underway Friday, here’s everything you need to know about MLB Players’ Weekend.

What is MLB Players’ Weekend? 

The event is supposed to be a celebration of the game’s players. The league will put a bigger focus on player personalities and off-the-field activities as a way for them to better connect with fans. As part of that celebration, players are allowed to wear custom cleats, gloves and use custom bats during games. 

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In previous seasons, MLB allowed players to wear nicknames on the back of their jerseys. When MLB brought Players’ Weekend back in 2024, it no longer allowed nicknames to be worn on jerseys. That policy will remain in 2025, so don’t expect to see any creative names on the back of your favorite player’s uniform this season.

When is MLB Players Weekend? Dates, schedule of events

Players’ Weekend will begin Friday and extend through Sunday. All 30 teams will take part in the festivities. 

The league is promoting three themes during 2025 Players’ Weekend. Each day will feature its own theme, which will guide game and social-media coverage throughout the weekend.

Friday’s theme is off-field interests. Broadcasts and social-media accounts around the league are expected to promote what players do and enjoy away from the field. 

Saturday’s theme will focus on causes. Which charitable causes do players support? How can fans get involved? The league will look to highlight those issues Saturday.

The weekend will end with appreciation. Players will celebrate the people who helped them on their journey to the majors. It’s fitting that appreciation is the theme on Sunday, as Players’ Weekend will end with the Little League Classic.

What is the Little League Classic?

The Little League Classic is an annual game typically played at the end of Players’ Weekend. It takes place at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, during the Little League World Series. Because of its timing and location, the contest is attended mostly by players, coaches and fans already at the Little League World Series. 

MLB has held the game every year since 2017, though the 2020 contest was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The two teams that were supposed to take part in the Little League Classic in 2020 — the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles — instead played in the contest in 2022.

The New York Mets and the Seattle Mariners will play in the Little League Classic in 2025. It will mark the second time the Mets have been chosen for the game. New York won the second Little League Classic, beating the Philadelphia Phillies 8-2 in 2018.

MLB Players’ Weekend bats

Though games don’t get underway until Friday, many custom bats have already leaked ahead of the weekend. Below, we’ll highlight some of the best ones.

Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte will pay homage to his mother with a bat featuring her picture. Marte was blown away after seeing the bat for the first time. 

Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto opted to go with a full camo theme. He’ll use a camo bat and wear camo gear behind the plate. 

Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader will pay homage to “Fortnite” with his custom bat.

Cal Raleigh commemorated both his “Big Dumper” nickname and his home run hot streak with his bats, which read “Big butt, bigger bombs.” (And he proved it, by hitting his 46th home run during Friday’s matchup against the New York Mets.)

Christian Yelich took a more heartfelt approach, honoring legendary Milwaukee Brewers announcer Bob Uecker, who died in January, with his bat. Yelich hit two home runs of his own during the Brewers’ comeback win over the Cincinnati Reds.

Bryce Harper may have kicked off Players’ Weekend a little too early, using a flame bat during Thursday’s game. 

Though, Harper may opt to use a Philly cheesesteak bat over the weekend. He showed off that custom bat during the offseason, and could use that one instead.

Other players, including Chicago Cubs catcher Carson Kelly, Kansas City Royals superstar Bobby Witt Jr. and New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Domínguez are expected to step up to the plate with food-themed bats this weekend. 

Jonah Tong has dominated every level of minor league baseball in 2025, and for at least one start, he did so in his first Triple-A game.

The Mets‘ young right-hander took the mound for Syracuse for the first time in his career and lived up to the hype. Tong tossed 90 pitches (59 strikes) across 5.2 scoreless innings while allowing three hits and two walks, and striking out nine batters against Rochester on Saturday night.

Tong generated 18 swing and misses and his fastball topped out at 98 mph. All three hits came in different innings, and had a runner reach scoring position just twice in his outing. 

This latest start is another notch on what’s been an incredible season for the 22-year-old. Tong, Joe DeMayo’s No. 2 Mets prospect, took the baseball world by storm by demolishing Double-A hitting. Across 20 starts with Binghamton, Tong went 8-5 with a 1.59 ERA with a 0.92 WHIP while striking out 162 batters across 102.0 innings pitched.

New York promoted Tong, along with Jett Williams, Carson Benge and Ryan Clifford, to Triple-A earlier this month. 

Tong is one of three top pitching prospects that the Mets have in Triple-A. Brandon Sproat has impressed with Syracuse this year, while Nolan McLean made his MLB debut on Saturday for the Mets. 

McLean tossed 5.1 scoreless innings in the Mets’ 3-1 win over the Mariners.

With how fast Sproat and Tong are developing, it’s only a matter of time until they are slotted in the Mets’ rotation.

Jonah Tong dominated in his debut for Triple-A Syracuse tonight 💪

His final line: 5.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K pic.twitter.com/tp7tYvL4G4

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) August 17, 2025

Former five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola returns to Nebraska for his second season of collegiate football in 2025. With Raiola at quarterback last season, the Cornhuskers won seven games and made an appearance in a bowl game for the first time since 2016.

Raiola suffered a back injury in last season’s game against UCLA, but didn’t miss any time. He revealed during a media opportunity on Friday that he is feeling the best he ever has heading into his sophomore season this year.

“I feel tremendously great,” Raiola said. “My body is in the best shape it’s been in. I’m not tired at all. I’m sleeping great and recovering three times a day; morning, after practice and at night before I head home. Just taking that next step of taking care of my body is the biggest thing for me just so that I can give teammates my 100% best and I think they deserve that. I know they deserve that. That’s the least I can do for them.”

In 13 games last season, Raiola completed 67% of his passes for 2,819 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He was a five-star recruit (ranked No. 21 overall in his class) coming out of Buford (Buford, GA) in 2024.

Raiola received major help from Transfer Portal this offseason

To help their young star, Nebraska hauled in former Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key and former Cal wide receiver Nyziah Hunter from the Transfer Portal this offseason. Key departed Kentucky with the program’s fifth most receiving yards in a career (1,870), while Hunter hauled in 40 catches for 578 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman last season.

“The feedback we’re getting (from Nebraska) is the wide receiver group and the running back group is much better than anticipated,” college football personality Josh Pate said on Thursday via Josh Pate’s College Football Show. “Now, that doesn’t mean that they thought they were going to be terrible. It’s just the group, especially the depth at wide receiver, the quality of player there, is just better.

“You pair that with Dylan Raiola, another year of experience-wise, teaming up with (offensive coordinator) Dana Holgerson. I just think the offense and the level of production from that offense — the explosivity from that offense — maybe takes some people by surprise this year.”

Nebraska, with Raiola behind center for the second season, opens its 2025 campaign against Cincinnati on Aug. 28 in GEHA Arrowhead Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 9:00 PM on ESPN.

Former five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola returns to Nebraska for his second season of collegiate football in 2025. With Raiola at quarterback last season, the Cornhuskers won seven games and made an appearance in a bowl game for the first time since 2016.

Raiola suffered a back injury in last season’s game against UCLA, but didn’t miss any time. He revealed during a media opportunity on Friday that he is feeling the best he ever has heading into his sophomore season this year.

“I feel tremendously great,” Raiola said. “My body is in the best shape it’s been in. I’m not tired at all. I’m sleeping great and recovering three times a day; morning, after practice and at night before I head home. Just taking that next step of taking care of my body is the biggest thing for me just so that I can give teammates my 100% best and I think they deserve that. I know they deserve that. That’s the least I can do for them.”

In 13 games last season, Raiola completed 67% of his passes for 2,819 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He was a five-star recruit (ranked No. 21 overall in his class) coming out of Buford (Buford, GA) in 2024.

Raiola received major help from Transfer Portal this offseason

To help their young star, Nebraska hauled in former Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key and former Cal wide receiver Nyziah Hunter from the Transfer Portal this offseason. Key departed Kentucky with the program’s fifth most receiving yards in a career (1,870), while Hunter hauled in 40 catches for 578 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman last season.

“The feedback we’re getting (from Nebraska) is the wide receiver group and the running back group is much better than anticipated,” college football personality Josh Pate said on Thursday via Josh Pate’s College Football Show. “Now, that doesn’t mean that they thought they were going to be terrible. It’s just the group, especially the depth at wide receiver, the quality of player there, is just better.

“You pair that with Dylan Raiola, another year of experience-wise, teaming up with (offensive coordinator) Dana Holgerson. I just think the offense and the level of production from that offense — the explosivity from that offense — maybe takes some people by surprise this year.”

Nebraska, with Raiola behind center for the second season, opens its 2025 campaign against Cincinnati on Aug. 28 in GEHA Arrowhead Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 9:00 PM on ESPN.

Former five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola returns to Nebraska for his second season of collegiate football in 2025. With Raiola at quarterback last season, the Cornhuskers won seven games and made an appearance in a bowl game for the first time since 2016.

Raiola suffered a back injury in last season’s game against UCLA, but didn’t miss any time. He revealed during a media opportunity on Friday that he is feeling the best he ever has heading into his sophomore season this year.

“I feel tremendously great,” Raiola said. “My body is in the best shape it’s been in. I’m not tired at all. I’m sleeping great and recovering three times a day; morning, after practice and at night before I head home. Just taking that next step of taking care of my body is the biggest thing for me just so that I can give teammates my 100% best and I think they deserve that. I know they deserve that. That’s the least I can do for them.”

In 13 games last season, Raiola completed 67% of his passes for 2,819 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He was a five-star recruit (ranked No. 21 overall in his class) coming out of Buford (Buford, GA) in 2024.

Raiola received major help from Transfer Portal this offseason

To help their young star, Nebraska hauled in former Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key and former Cal wide receiver Nyziah Hunter from the Transfer Portal this offseason. Key departed Kentucky with the program’s fifth most receiving yards in a career (1,870), while Hunter hauled in 40 catches for 578 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman last season.

“The feedback we’re getting (from Nebraska) is the wide receiver group and the running back group is much better than anticipated,” college football personality Josh Pate said on Thursday via Josh Pate’s College Football Show. “Now, that doesn’t mean that they thought they were going to be terrible. It’s just the group, especially the depth at wide receiver, the quality of player there, is just better.

“You pair that with Dylan Raiola, another year of experience-wise, teaming up with (offensive coordinator) Dana Holgerson. I just think the offense and the level of production from that offense — the explosivity from that offense — maybe takes some people by surprise this year.”

Nebraska, with Raiola behind center for the second season, opens its 2025 campaign against Cincinnati on Aug. 28 in GEHA Arrowhead Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 9:00 PM on ESPN.

Former five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola returns to Nebraska for his second season of collegiate football in 2025. With Raiola at quarterback last season, the Cornhuskers won seven games and made an appearance in a bowl game for the first time since 2016.

Raiola suffered a back injury in last season’s game against UCLA, but didn’t miss any time. He revealed during a media opportunity on Friday that he is feeling the best he ever has heading into his sophomore season this year.

“I feel tremendously great,” Raiola said. “My body is in the best shape it’s been in. I’m not tired at all. I’m sleeping great and recovering three times a day; morning, after practice and at night before I head home. Just taking that next step of taking care of my body is the biggest thing for me just so that I can give teammates my 100% best and I think they deserve that. I know they deserve that. That’s the least I can do for them.”

In 13 games last season, Raiola completed 67% of his passes for 2,819 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He was a five-star recruit (ranked No. 21 overall in his class) coming out of Buford (Buford, GA) in 2024.

Raiola received major help from Transfer Portal this offseason

To help their young star, Nebraska hauled in former Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key and former Cal wide receiver Nyziah Hunter from the Transfer Portal this offseason. Key departed Kentucky with the program’s fifth most receiving yards in a career (1,870), while Hunter hauled in 40 catches for 578 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman last season.

“The feedback we’re getting (from Nebraska) is the wide receiver group and the running back group is much better than anticipated,” college football personality Josh Pate said on Thursday via Josh Pate’s College Football Show. “Now, that doesn’t mean that they thought they were going to be terrible. It’s just the group, especially the depth at wide receiver, the quality of player there, is just better.

“You pair that with Dylan Raiola, another year of experience-wise, teaming up with (offensive coordinator) Dana Holgerson. I just think the offense and the level of production from that offense — the explosivity from that offense — maybe takes some people by surprise this year.”

Nebraska, with Raiola behind center for the second season, opens its 2025 campaign against Cincinnati on Aug. 28 in GEHA Arrowhead Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 9:00 PM on ESPN.

Former five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola returns to Nebraska for his second season of collegiate football in 2025. With Raiola at quarterback last season, the Cornhuskers won seven games and made an appearance in a bowl game for the first time since 2016.

Raiola suffered a back injury in last season’s game against UCLA, but didn’t miss any time. He revealed during a media opportunity on Friday that he is feeling the best he ever has heading into his sophomore season this year.

“I feel tremendously great,” Raiola said. “My body is in the best shape it’s been in. I’m not tired at all. I’m sleeping great and recovering three times a day; morning, after practice and at night before I head home. Just taking that next step of taking care of my body is the biggest thing for me just so that I can give teammates my 100% best and I think they deserve that. I know they deserve that. That’s the least I can do for them.”

In 13 games last season, Raiola completed 67% of his passes for 2,819 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He was a five-star recruit (ranked No. 21 overall in his class) coming out of Buford (Buford, GA) in 2024.

Raiola received major help from Transfer Portal this offseason

To help their young star, Nebraska hauled in former Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key and former Cal wide receiver Nyziah Hunter from the Transfer Portal this offseason. Key departed Kentucky with the program’s fifth most receiving yards in a career (1,870), while Hunter hauled in 40 catches for 578 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman last season.

“The feedback we’re getting (from Nebraska) is the wide receiver group and the running back group is much better than anticipated,” college football personality Josh Pate said on Thursday via Josh Pate’s College Football Show. “Now, that doesn’t mean that they thought they were going to be terrible. It’s just the group, especially the depth at wide receiver, the quality of player there, is just better.

“You pair that with Dylan Raiola, another year of experience-wise, teaming up with (offensive coordinator) Dana Holgerson. I just think the offense and the level of production from that offense — the explosivity from that offense — maybe takes some people by surprise this year.”

Nebraska, with Raiola behind center for the second season, opens its 2025 campaign against Cincinnati on Aug. 28 in GEHA Arrowhead Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 9:00 PM on ESPN.

The first half of Corinthians vs Bahia, at the Neo Química Arena, was “crazy stuff”.

Not so much because of great plays or a rout, but because of the number of “interesting events”.

Starting with the “lightning goal” by Michel Araújo, less than two minutes after kickoff, who struck a cross shot from outside the box to open the scoring for the Tricolor de Aço. 

O GOL QUE ABRIU O PLACAR NA NEO QUÍMICA ARENA! ⚽ Michel Araújo chutou cruzado e levou a melhor contra o goleiro Hugo Souza. #BrasileirãoBetano#FutebolBrasileiropic.twitter.com/bYoPqZIAfI

— TNT Sports BR (@TNTSportsBR) August 17, 2025

Timão didn’t take long to respond with Garro, but the play was disallowed after a VAR review, which spotted a handball by Kayque in the move. 

Garro marcou para o Corinthians, mas a arbitragem anulou após revisão de vídeo por causa de toque de mão de Kayke na construção da jogada. pic.twitter.com/wtuGzwXgeX

— ge (@geglobo) August 17, 2025

And then the “protagonism” of the video referee began in the match at Itaquera.

At the 31st minute, Gui Negão scored with a bicycle kick in the six-yard box, but the on-field referee called offside on the Corinthians striker.

After EIGHT MINUTES of VAR analysis, which even had the assistant referee helping with the monitor review, the equalizing goal was validated. 

Gui Negão empatou o jogo para o Corinthians em Itaquera. Gol foi validado após OITO minutos de revisão. pic.twitter.com/3YT4Ua4QxF

— ge (@geglobo) August 17, 2025

However, in an instant response, Kayky sped into the box and was brought down by a sliding tackle from Matheuzinho. 

Willian José took the penalty, sending Hugo Souza the wrong way, and put Bahia back in the lead!

Matheuzinho cometeu pênalti, e Willian José fez 2 a 1 para o Bahia em Itaquera. pic.twitter.com/E3KISy8dE4

— ge (@geglobo) August 17, 2025

Whew! 😅 What did you think of the plays reviewed by VAR? Give your opinion! 🗣️

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

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📸 Ricardo Moreira – 2025 Getty Images

World number one Jannik Sinner and hot rival Carlos Alcaraz will face off in a major final for the fourth time this season after both booked straight-set wins into the title match at the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open on Saturday.

Defending champion Sinner ruthlessly subdued 136th-ranked qualifier Terence Atmane 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 while Spanish second seed Alcaraz defeated an ailing Alexander Zverev, who was suffering badly from the 32 Celsius heat and humidity, by 6-4, 6-3.

Alcaraz and Sinner have played for trophies this season in Rome, Roland Garros and Wimbledon, with the Italian winning their most recent at the All England Club last month.

Sinner, celebrating his 24th birthday, ended Frenchman Atmane’s dream run and will now try to become the first man since Roger Federer in 2014-15 to win back-to-back titles in Cincinnati.

Sinner, tuning up for the US Open in his first tournament since winning Wimbledon, hasn’t dropped a set en route to the final.

“It’s a very, very tough challenge every time you play a new opponent,” Sinner said. “In the later stages of the tournament,the pressure is on, they deserve to be there.”

Alcaraz will also be playing in his second Cincy final after losing to Novak Djokovic in 2023.

The Spaniard increased his ATP season match win lead to 53 in a year of five titles.

Alcaraz broke Zverev once in the opening set to claim it before the German, who is diabetic, began feeling poorly and took a medical timeout off court after the third game of the second set.

Zverev, who has retired in only two matches since 2014, came back out to finish what was a patchy match from Alcaraz, who double-faulted for times in the second game of the second set but won the last 12 points with Zverev running on fumes.

“We started well with good rallies, a good level,” Alcaraz said. “All of a sudden he felt bad and I was thinking more about how he was feeling instead of playing good tennis.

“It was tough and I just wish him all the best.”

Alcaraz said he is keen to try and take his Wimbledon revenge on Sinner in the unorthodox Monday final.

“We always bring our best tennis. We raise each other’s level. I’m ready to take the challenge,” Alcaraz said.

“I will try and adjust my game better and correct what I did wrong in our last match. I want to be ready with my 100%. Mentally I’ll be ready — I’m excited for Monday.”

– ‘Pressure was on me’ –

Atmane gave birthday boy Sinner a Pokemon card shortly before they went on court, but he was in a less giving mood once they were underway.

But Sinner surrendered just three points in his first six service games as they went to the tiebreaker with neither man facing a break point.

Atmane double faulted on the first point of the decider and Sinner was away, powering to a 5-2 lead and pocketing the set at his second opportunity.

“My experience helped in the first set,” he said. “I’m very happy to go through to another final.

“I tried to focus on myself, how I usually play, and then try to adapt a little bit to his game style,” Sinner said. “And that’s exactly what I did today.

“The pressure was on me. That’s normal in the position where I am in — he was ready to fight.”

“My goal has always been the US Open, But we have put in the work here, in the gym and in practice. I just hope to be ready for New York.”

Sinner showed a first sign of vulnerability as he needed five game points to hold serve in the opening game of the second set.

But that was the closest look Atmane got at his serve, and Sinner broke the Frenchman for a 3-1 lead and again to seal the match.

Atmane, who is projected to crack the top 70 in the world rankings, became Sinner’s 22nd straight French victim since May 2021, when he lost to Arthur Rinderknech in Lyon.

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