Some of you may know that I am an absolute nut about sports uniforms; not sure how it started, but a lot of it stems back to the Uni Watch Blog and one Paul Lukas. I was checking out that blog the other day when I noticed a new promotion for the July 4 weekend. Major League Baseball (MLB) has a new official charity, Welcome Back Veterans, which helps veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Great charity, great cause, and MLB does a lot of great charity work. On July 4, MLB will make "Welcome Back Veterans ... the focus at every Major League stadium." The league will use bases emblazoned with the charity's name and every team will wear special hats. This is the version my beloved Reds will be wearing when I attend the July 5 tilt versus the Nationals. At the same time, the team will be sporting these jerseys, which will make for quite the combination but you don't want my fashion notes.

On the blog the next day, Paul Lukas summarized the press conference announcing the initiative as a lot of glad-handing with "softball questions." He asked a perfectly valid question, "What portion of the cap proceeds will go to the charity? And if it's not 100%, why not?" The MLB spokesman bristled at the question and quickly dismissed it by noting that it hasn't been determined yet. Maybe it hasn't been determined, but a good portion of the $34.99 they are charging fans for this hat should go to the charity. In fact - as Lukas asked - if it isn't 100%, why not? The league makes plenty of money on their merchandise, just donate it all to the charity the vets deserve it.