Why is there a pants problem in Major League Baseball during spring training?

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Major League Baseball is showing off new uniforms during this year's spring training.

The biggest problem is they might be showing too much.

A series of pictures have shown a slightly embarrassing problem with MLB's new look: At least a handful of teams have white pants that are relatively see-through, making for some less-than-ideal pictures.

“I know everyone hates them,” Phillies shortstop Trea Turner said last week. “We all liked what we had. We understand business, but I think everyone wanted to keep it the same way, for the most part, with some tweaks here or there.”

That criticism might be a little harsh, but there are still some legitimate concerns about the uniforms with MLB's regular season approaching in about a month.

WHAT IS NEW WITH THE UNIFORMS

Nike has been designing MLB uniforms since 2020 and Fanatics has been manufacturing them since 2017, but this is the first year for the Nike Vapor Premier jerseys.

MLB officials say these uniforms improve mobility by providing 25% more stretch and also will dry 28% faster. The lettering, sleeve emblems and numbering are less bulky in an attempt to make uniforms more breathable and comfortable.

There are parts of the new uniforms that many players seem to enjoy, particularly the lightweight feeling. Players tried on versions of the new Vapor Premier uniforms during last year's All-Star festivities and many liked them.

SO WHY PLAYERS UPSET ARE

Generally speaking, athletes usually aren't big fans of change. That's certainly true of baseball players.

It's not uncommon for MLB players to be upset about something in spring training. Last year, the biggest complaints were about the sport's new rules package that included a pitch clock, bigger bases and limits on how many times pitchers could step off the rubber. Despite those misgivings, the rules package has been widely-regarded as one of the most successful initiatives MLB has unveiled in decades.

So when the players started complaining about the uniforms this spring, it seemed like normal blowback. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred dismissed the criticism last week, saying players would get used to the uniforms and eventually like them.

But that's until the pants problem became known. Essentially, when players are wearing white tops and white pants, the tuckedin jersey sometimes make it look like players are wearing a diaper because the pants are relatively seethrough.

There have also been distribution problems. Some teams have their 2024 uniforms, while others don't. The San Diego Padres used last year's white pants in their spring training opener on Thursday.