Sleeves

[Tools of Ignorance]

I'm sorry if this has been posted before, I did a search under sleeves and couldn't find it.

What is on the elbow part of the sleeves on the long undershirts? It looks like some kind of rubber or something. What is the purpose?

[KittyDuran]

TOI... this thread might help:

http://www.redszone.com/forums/showt...light=uniforms

[Tools of Ignorance]

Thanks, but this link still doesn't address what is on the sleeves and why.

Does anyone know?

[KittyDuran]

Well, you can order from mlb.com...

http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.js...entPage=family

There was a mention in a game thread about why? but I can't find it...

[KittyDuran]

Well, I think I found the thread...

http://www.redszone.com/forums/showt...hlight=smeared

[TeamBoone]

Earlier in the season this question was brought up. I remember an Australian poster, whose name I can not remember, said they are called "skins" and are very popular with soccer players.

Apparently (and I'm paraphrasing), the "smears" are bumpy/flocked to provide a massage effect on the players' pressure points.

I've searched and found the threads where "skins" were mentioned. From the results, it looks like it may have been discussed in an early game thread, but they are so long that it would take forever to find the exact post.

[pedro]

I was watching the Cubs yesterday and they made Scott Williamson cut his sleeve off because picthers aren't allowed to wear multi colored undershirts.

[wheels]

I think they look like garbage.

They aren't so bad if the uniform has sleeves, but they look really out of place with the vests.

[RedWilly]

Wasn't it mention on Reds pregame one night on FSN that those "stains" or whatever on the elbows were there to help keep heat in the elbows, for which the purpose is to reduce the chance of injury?

FWIW I think it looks pretty cool. I would like to get those on my dress shirts I wear to work everyday.

[Unassisted]

I think those sleeves with the flecks of color at the elbow look like the player wore the shirt while painting. Some color combinations make it appear that there is dirt on the sleeves. Hopefully, they're a one-year fad. :

[TeamBoone]

To each his own. I like them a lot.

[flynn78]

They are Nike's way of reminding you that it is a Nike undershirt. They may claim to have some kind of special help for the players, but I have my doubts. MLB will not let them put logos on any uniforms etc.. except cleats. In response to this, like the wacky dual color sleeves on jerseys in college football (Virginia Tech, Miami), Nike made the undershirts quite recognizable to put their brand on the uniform. A scream for attention if you will. I think they are tacky myself. This created so many different undershirt combos that the team ends up looking like a bunch of "Little Leaguers" with all different shirts underneath. Hope that helps.

[KittyDuran]

From my vantage point at last night's game [w/Chip, GAC, Redsland, Membengal & son] in the Moon Deck looking at Kearns thru my binoculars, the sleeves don't look too bad. But when I watch the game on the TV, esp. when a player is batting, they look weird.

[spaethc]

I hate them. I also agree with Flynn, it is Nike's way to show themselves off since they cant put their logo anywhere.

[Yachtzee]

I hate them. I also agree with Flynn, it is Nike's way to show themselves off since they cant put their logo anywhere.

That's the reasoning I read from ESPN's UniWatch column.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...e=lukas/060413

I highly doubt that they have any kind of functional effect whatsoever. I don't think Nike will be happy until it's allowed to tattoo every child with a swoosh as it comes out of the womb.

Edit: Just went back to the old thread Kitty linked to. I'm starting to repeat myself somewhat.