Why do the coaches for pro baseball teams wear uniforms like the players.?

Question

Baseball is the only sport that I can think of that does this. You do not see it in the NHL, NFL or NBA thank god. The thought of Phil Jackson in NBA attire is scary.

Answer 1

Rules and tradition mostly. It looks pretty stupid, I admit, to see and old fat man in the player's uniform. I think mgrs/coaches should go to the Terry Francona style of uniform and wear the team wind breaker/jacket instead.

Answer 2

The reason, as I understand it, is because in the early days many managers were player/managers, so they were of course required to be in uniform if they were to be on the field.

I got sort of the same explanation from Wikipedia, so thought I would quote it here for you:

Player-managers were common, but non-playing managers whose realm was strictly the dugout often wore business suits, a common occurrence at the time. Retired players who became managers were more likely to continue to wear a baseball uniform (John McGraw, for example), especially if they were also active on the coaching lines; managers often doubled as third-base coach. By the late 1940s, nearly all managers were wearing baseball uniforms. Connie Mack was the last major league manager to wear a suit in the dugout until his retirement in the early 1950s; however, in contrast to the uniform-wearing managers, Mack rarely if ever stepped onto the field during a game; instead he sent uniformed coaches onto the field when a managerial presence outside the dugout was required.

I understand that after Connie Mack, the rules were made to require the manager and anyone in the dugout to wear the team uniform. This is pretty much the same today, but of course trainers, etc, seem to have the right to simply be identifies as such, and are permitted in the dugout like that.

Answer 3

The rules say that the coaches and players must dress appropriately, and alike. Since the players obviously can't wear a suit and tie on the field, the coaches must wear the same attire as the players, which is the uniform.

Answer 4

Because it shows that they are a part of the team, which they are. Tell me it wouldn't look weird if they where wearing what you described, they would stick out like a sore thumb. Polo shirts? Khakis? Suits? Football and Basketball and Hockey coaches don't run out onto the field to talk to players. Why should any coach where a suit? They aren't going to meet the queen of England. It's sports.

Answer 5

Tradition probably has a lot to do with it. It may go back to the fact that baseball has a richer history of having player/coaches, who would need to suit up to carry out their dual role. But you forget that Phil Jackson WAS in NBA attire, back in the day when basketball players wore those disgusting tiny shorts. Man-leg anyone?

I think it would be hilarious to see Bill Belichick standing on the sideline in a jersey and pads.

Answer 6

Well if I am thinking right, they don't have to. the last manager not to was Connie Mack, I believe the reason for managers wearing uniforms was because a lot where players/managers and had too, and many former players just preferred the uniforms. I think they have to be in uniform if they go on the feild.

Answer 7

The rules require that players, coaches, and managers must be in uniform whenever they are on the field.

In no other sport do coaches position themselves on the field or go on the field to confer with players.

Answer 8

It is in the rules of baseball that any member of a team that goes on the field must wear a uniform.

Answer 9

Because seeing a 70-year old Don Zimmer busting out of a fitted jersey three sizes too small is a stern warning to all young boys: GET A COLLEGE DEGREE.

Answer 10

The rule states that anyone in the dugout must be in team uniform.