MLB Warns Players Against Writing Bible Verses on Pride Night Hats
Major League Baseball warned players this month that writing Bible verses on their Pride Night hats violates uniform policy. Several Christian players had written scripture references on the hats as a form of personal expression. The move drew criticism from faith leaders and free speech advocates.
Major League Baseball sent a memo to teams in June 2026 warning players not to write Bible verses or other personal messages on their Pride Night hats. The league said the practice violates its uniform policy, which requires all equipment to remain unaltered during games.
Several players on different teams had written scripture references, including John 3:16, on the rainbow-colored hats distributed for Pride Night events. The players said they wanted to express their faith while still participating in the team event.
The memo did not name specific players but said any alterations to official game-day equipment could result in fines.
Christian advocacy groups pushed back quickly. The Family Research Council called the policy a double standard, noting that the hats themselves carry a message and that players should be free to respond with their own beliefs.
Some players chose not to wear the hats at all, a practice that has been accepted by MLB in previous years. Others wore them without alteration.
The league has not commented publicly beyond the internal memo. The controversy has renewed debate about how professional sports leagues handle religious expression during themed events.
