MLB is finally starting to loosen the rules and it's all thanks to a tattoo

It concerns tattoos. Barry's late wife died in 2023. To honour her he decided to get a tattoo. A big one, just above the elbow. He took all the precautions, got skin-coloured sleeves and was even prepared to pay a fine if any of his tattoo showed.

Before this year, umpires were not allowed to have visible tattoos. However, largely thanks to Barry and his story, an agreement was worked out between the league and the umpire's association.

It's an important step for Barry, who spent years planning the tattoo during the nine years and 20 rounds of chemotherapy his late wife Christine went through.

Part of the reason the old rule existed was both professionalism and the distraction factor. The Blue Jays went through something similar roughly 20 years ago with pitcher Justin Miller. Miller, who was covered in sleeve tattoos, was told he had to wear long sleeves and cover up as his tattoos might be distracting to opposing hitters. It was called the "Justin Miller rule".

Both sides saw value in less restrictive language however. Said Dan Bellino, fellow umpire and president of the MLBUA

Several tattooed members of the Blue Jays, including pitchers Bowden Francis and Kevin Gausman, and manager John Schneider, seem to agree.

For Barry, he just hopes that other present and future umpires are now able to express themselves.