why do the coaches in baseball wear uniforms, but coaches in other sports do not?

Answer 1

Many of the early coaches of baseball were player/coaches. Thus they were in uniform. Guess the tradition held even though it has been quite a while since there was a player/coach.

Answer 2

Coaches in other sports are not allowed on the field of play, unless they are also players, and even then, only when actually in the lineup. Yes, Tommy LaSorda did look a bit odd in that Dodger uniform -- well, not really, since he was so much a Dodger, but how about Yogi Berra in that technicolor Astros uniform? But would either have looked any better walking out to the mound wearing a suit?

As for player/coaches, I think Al Attles was the last in the NBA, and he won a title at Golden State -- don't know if he was still playing at that time, though. Bob Pulford comes to mind in the NHL, though not as successful. The structure of a baseball game makes it easier for a manager to observe a game while playing than in basketball or hockey, where the play is more continuous. In football, the head coach is constantly conferring with his assistants via headphones, making it almost impossible for a coach to also play unless he totally turns over his field duties to the coordinators, so I doubt we'll ever see another player/coach in the NFL.

Answer 3

Baseball is the only sport where the coaches are allowed on the field of play. This makes them actual team members, and subject to wearing uniforms. One early baseball manager that didn't wear a uniform was Connie Mack. He wore a suit in the dugout, but never came on the field.

Answer 4

Probably because of tradition, America's Pastime and all that stuff. A better question might be, "Why are baseball managers still allowed to wear regular baseball uniforms even though they are fat?" Tommy Lasorda comes to mind. So do Don Zimmer, Charlie Manuel, and several others. For the most part, these guys are an embarrassment when they waddle out to the mound. Let's make them wear a muumuu or something.

Answer 5

i would say because baseball is the only sport where you can be a coach and a player at the same time. i mean an affective one. it has been attempted in other sports it just doesnt work quite as well.

Answer 6

Imagine a hockey coach on the bench in full pads or marty shottenheimer on the sidelines with shoulder pads , not a pretty picture for a sideline coach. i suppose they could wear their team jerseys but don`t because of tradition.

Answer 7

They need attention. Plus why would you want to wear a suit, when a coach barely comes out of the dugout.

Answer 8

Thats an outstanding question...I never eally thought of that myself. Maybe they are much of a team player as ya baseball coaches.

Answer 9

Because NHL coaches like suits.

Answer 10

Probably because they stay so close to the game all the time!