MLB Uniforms: 5 Ideas to Improve Baseball Jerseys

Former Hall of Fame owner Bill Veeck was one of the most colorful showmen in baseball history. He did anything to bring the fans into the park.

A great uniform doesn't bring anyone to the yard, but changing up some jersey ideas could help the game, and players, as a whole.

My ideas showcase ways that baseball could help not only the players, but the consumers (fans) themselves.

Turn Ahead the Clock

The "Turn Ahead the Clock" uniforms of the late-90s was one of the worst ideas in MLB history.

This 1998 Mariner version was one of several petrifying designs.

And yes, I'm looking to rehash the concept...

Turn Ahead the Clock: Part II

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Fashion has an intricate part in the world of college athletics; schools have used it to their advantage in recruitment.

Let's bring their fashion sense to baseball.

Boise State's done a fantastic job of luring in recruiters in unique ways; the blue field is an asset, and check out the Nike Pro Combat uniform they sported in Week 1 against Georgia. Boise State is one of nine teams who have the distinction of wearing the Pro Combat uniform this season.

Oregon models a different look each time they take the field.

For alternative jersey models, baseball designers should look at what Nike's done with the Pro Combat uniform concept, and incorporate it into a baseball jersey.

Keep the Players Cool

The sun and humidity can be extremely daunting during the dog days of summer. In college basketball, Nike uses their aerographic technology to make back graphics.

The jersey has an engineered mesh providing zoned cooling and reduces the yarn by half. The weight of the jersey is reduced by 31 percent compared to current basketball uniforms.

Players like Roy Halladay, who dealt with dizziness from the heat at Wrigley Field earlier this year, would love this concept of lighter uniforms.

Throwback Thursday

Beginning in the 1970s, teams began using more color in their uniforms.

The Padres went to a brown and mustard color scheme, Houston used rainbow stripes, Pittsburgh had black and yellow—and stripes—on their hats, the A's went with light green and yellow, and the White Sox had a red and blue stripe combo with "Sox" spelled out on the jersey.

On these Thursday nights, other squads like the Braves, Athletics, Dodgers and Giants could pay homage to their original homes such as the Brooklyn Dodgers, Milwaukee Braves and Philadelphia Athletics.

More Merchandise Opportunities

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When you check out old highlight films of some of the teams who played in the 1950s and '60s, you'll notice that many of the fans did not wear team apparel. Suits and ties were the selection of choice.

Look at the modern day fans...when you attend a game of your favorite team, it is your duty to show up in proper attire.

More alternative jersey concepts would provide the consumer more choices when deciding which design to buy; whether it's a retro, alternative or original design.