Overview

• MLB relaxed its equipment rules from August 15–17 to let players personalize bats, cleats and masks with pop-culture references and personal tributes.
• Bryce Harper opened the weekend with a flame-themed bat and singled in his first at-bat for the Phillies on Friday night.
• Harrison Bader used his blue, water-filled “chug jug” training bat in game action as fellow stars wielded designs from Bobby Witt Jr.’s cheeseburger lumber to Ketel Marte’s purple tribute to his late mother.
• Outlets including MLB.com, Bleacher Report and Fox Sports published photo galleries and rankings of the weekend’s most creative bats, cleats and catchers’ masks.
• Players will auction their custom gear for charity ahead of Sunday’s Little League Classic between the Mariners and Mets in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.