MLB's New Media Dress Code And Its Aim At Women

This past Tuesday on the second day of the General Manager Winter Meetings in Dallas, Major League Baseball announced a new dress code policy for members of the media. This new policy is the first of its kind in any of the four major sports (MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA), and it's an attempt to keep a more professional atmosphere in and around the ballpark during games. MLB is clearly trying to prevent any incidences like what had occurred in the NFL between Mexican TV reporter Ines Sainz and the Jets locker room. Her attire and beauty drew much attention to a room full of men which led to claims of harrassment. We could get into the whole Erin Andrews deal but that occurred in a hotel and not a ballfield.

Can't imagine anything she wears on the field is inappropriate

According to the guidelines, members of the media should dress "in an appropriate and professional manner." Clothing should be proper for a "business-casual work environment" when in clubhouses, press boxes and on fields. Muscle shirts, ripped jeans, visible undergarments, sheer clothing, one-shouldered and strapless shirts or clothing exposing bare midriffs will be banned. Skirts, dresses or shorts cut more than three or four inches above the knee will be deemed to be in violation. Never in my lifetime have I seen any male media members wearing muscle shirts or tank tops during a broadcast so clearly this policy was designed for the female media contingent. The thought of Jon Miller or Michael Kay in a muscle shirt leaves a tinge of vomit in my mouth.

The only real problem that has been mentioned in baseball has been around the Florida Miami Marlins where female reporters have been known to wear much skimpier clothing. I can't imagine why they would be wearing less in Miami. Maybe 100 degrees with 100% humidity is an issue. The real problem in Miami is the new player uniforms and not what their reporters are wearing. "This is not in response to any single incident," MLB spokesman Pat Courtney told The Associated Press. "It can be a fine line. What one person views as appropriate may not be seen the same way by someone else." They say that albeit the only incident in the big four of sports has been the Ines Sainz issue so clearly that had to be a major factor in creating this new policy.

In my opinion female baseball reporters have always been professional. Growing up in New England and watching NESN (The New England Sports Network) has provided us the opportunity see many classy female baseball reporters including Hazel Mae, Tina Cervasio, Kathryn Tappen, and Heidi Watney

All in all MLB has much more to worry about than some dress code so in honor of those female reporters that keep it classy and professional, lets take a look at them......

Heidi Watney

Kathryn Tappen

Tina Cervasio

Keep it classy ladies!!!....and thank you NESN!!