When hitters step to the plate during Players' Weekend, the designs of their bats could draw nearly as much attention as the outcomes of their plate appearances.
There will be references to "Star Wars," "Lord of the Rings," Marvel characters and more, plus a show of love for family, community and ... cheeseburgers? Yep, it'll all be there as players use the special weekend to highlight their interests, passions and personalities.
Players' Weekend, which begins Friday and continues through Sunday, is back this season to give players a chance to show some flair, help their favorite charities or just otherwise showcase their individuality. With the usual equipment regulations relaxed for the weekend, it's a time for players' creativity to shine.
2025 Players' Weekend
• Complete coverage
• Little League Classic, presented by New York Life: SEA-NYM, Sun., 7 ET, ESPN
In addition to the colorful bat choices we'll see this weekend, players can also have custom cleats, along with other personalized flourishes. But it's the bats that are likely to draw the most attention, and for good reason.
We'll see Bobby Witt Jr.'s cheeseburger bat, which is designed to look like a cheeseburger and fries as the self-professed fan of the Whataburger chain showcases his love of a well-constructed bun-patty-cheese combo.
Then there's Harrison Bader's "water" bat, which features a blue design and measuring markers to serve as nod to the water-filled training bat he's swung in the on-deck circle.
Julio Rodríguez will use a bat that highlights his journey from the Dominican Republic to the big leagues, listing his stops in the Minors all the way up to his debut with the Mariners (he also has a bat that honors close friend and new Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki).
Meanwhile, CJ Abrams will swing an alien-themed bat that features images of otherworldly beings to match his nickname -- The Alien -- and Fernando Tatis Jr. will have a bat that references his cows and farm in the DR.
Other bats are personal on a deeper level. For example, one of Ketel Marte's bats will serve as a tribute to his late mother. Freddie Freeman will use bats that feature his kids' names, while Brandon Marsh will showcase a bat featuring old family photos.
That's just a sampling. Every hitter who comes to bat this weekend brings the potential for not just a hit or RBI, but an entertaining visual subplot. And if you see a bat that really grabs your attention, you may get the chance to own it, as players have the opportunity to auction the weekend's bats and other equipment for charity.
To find out which gear from the weekend will be available for purchase, sign up for the MLB Auctions Newsletter.