NEW YORK -- Huston Street believes in some of baseballs oldest, tried-and-true traditions, and the reliever knows team building can be a real benefit, so he considers the elimination of rookie dress up in the new labor deal the loss of a healthy ritual.The Los Angeles Angels closer, like many players expressing their views Tuesday, disagrees with Major League Baseballs ban on the hazing ritual of dressing up rookies in costumes that could be considered offensive, including womens outfits.An effort to show our childlike spirit, or humble ourselves in wearing something funny as a team building moment, is now gone, Street wrote in an email to The Associated Press, but rest assured some other ritual will rise, will be kept far more secret and hopefully its as safe and harmless as uncomfortable clothes.Baseball owners and players ratified their five-year labor contract Tuesday, which contains a new Anti-Hazing and Anti-Bullying Policy formulated by management, rules the union agreed not to contest.New York Mets rookie outfielder Brandon Nimmo was among the last group to participate this past season. In September, he had to wear a wig and dress in the style of the 1992 movie A League of Their Own while fetching coffee and doughnuts in Philadelphia.I guess Im sad to see that go. Im glad that I got to partake in it last year. Wouldnt trade that, Nimmo said at the teams Citi Field holiday party. I felt like it just kind of brought the team closer together, lets have a little fun together.Many retired players were outraged, taking to social media to show their disgust.What a joke!! tweeted Mark Mulder, a big league pitcher from 2000-08.Yet for baseball officials, the decision goes far beyond just good-natured fun.Billy Bean, a big league infielder and outfielder from 1987-95 who came out as gay in 1999, spoke with MLBs labor lawyers as the policy was developed as part of his role as vice president for social responsibility and inclusion.To me its important to be cognizant of the images that our players project to our fans, and I think where for many where it would seem that its common sense that its just all in good fun and being silly, there are many sides to the story and I just think that its a responsible thing to do, he said during a telephone interview. Many players didnt like this tradition but were afraid to speak up.Still, players were stunned.Remember, youre doing this not because you look different or because youre from some far corner of the globe. In fact youre doing this for reasons that couldnt be more opposite, former pitcher Dallas Braden wrote to The AP. Youre one of us. Youre here now, youve made it, youve earned it. Youre a BIG LEAGUER and in the big leagues we dress up and sing just like the Cy Youngs & MVPs who came before us.Many took to social media to express disappointment.Seriously?! Had to wear a Hooters outfit going through customs in Toronto and wore it proudly (because) I was in the Show, former Boston star Kevin Youkilis wrote before deleting the tweet, adding Way more important topics and problems in the world that need attention.Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling tweeted a photo of himself and teammates sporting cheerleading uniforms , saying, honored to be one of the last players ever to be dressed up as a woman.Cody Ponce, taken by Milwaukee with the 55th overall draft pick in 2015, tweeted: I looked forward to the whole dressing up as a rookie in the MLB! I never saw it as hazing, just some fun!MLB executives were concerned about photos of rookie dress-ups that appear on social media and might offend some fans and business partners.The world has gotten 2 damn sensitive! This has been a time honored tradition, tweeted Aubrey Huff, a major leaguer from 2000-12 who liked to show off his lucky red rally thong. The world is full of sensitive snowflakes.Vernon Wells, a three-time All-Star during a career that spanned 1999-2013, wondered what was next.BREAKING NEWS: Fans are no longer allowed to heckle players because it hurts their feelings, he tweeted.Many outside the sport thought it was about time baseball comported with the norms of other industries.By banning the hazing of rookies by having them dress in feminine presenting clothing, MLB draws closer to minimizing and hopefully ending discrimination and harassment based on gender identity and expression, wrote Hudson Taylor, founder and executive director of AthleteAlly, an advocacy group that describes itself as a straight ally that stands in solidarity with the LGBT community.Colorado general manager Jeff Bridich views costumes as distinct from hazing that involves violence.If were getting so P.C. either as an industry or as a society that we cant make fun of ourselves at times, that would be, I think, harmful to the game in a certain way, he said.Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, a veteran of Dartmouth, Harvard Law School and the Marines, said he had not heard any complaints but still had some concerns.Ive seen it in the military and, for all the camaraderie its supposed to promote, its divisive and I think undercuts morale and so youve got to be very careful about that, he said. Is it constructive? Is it useful? Is it juvenile? Its probably juvenile. Its probably not useful or constructive in too many ways.Superheroes such as Batman and Spider-Man are still allowed, but Wonder Woman, Hooters Girls, Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, the U.S. Olympic womens gymnastics team, ballet tutus and Lady Gaga are now banned.Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard described teammate Curtis Granderson as the ringleader when the rookie right-hander dressed as the title character from He-Man and the Masters of the Universe at Cincinnati in 2015.Its not really embarrassing for us, Syndergaard said. It was a fun time. Its part of it. Just got to embrace it.---McCauley reported from Oakland, California.AP Sports Writer Pat Graham in Denver contributed to this report. Vans Shoes Cheap . 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John Lucas, signed as a mentor for rookie Trey Burke, showed he can score if required, scoring 12 points of his 16 points in the second quarter as Utah built an 18-point lead.Vincent Kompany could be back in contention for Manchester City as they host title challengers Tottenham on Super Sunday. Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli is also expected to be back in the Spurs starting XI for the trip to the Etihad, where Mauricio Pochettinos second-place side face fourth-place City.Just a point separates the two going into Sundays crucial clash, while leaders Leicester, five points clear of Spurs, travel to Arsenal earlier in the afternoon. Tottenham saw off Watford 1-0 in their last Premier League match Spurs won the first fixture at White Hart Lane 4-1 in September in a game that saw Harry Kane score his first Premier League goal of the season.He has gone on to score another 17 in all competitions this term, while Spurs have won nine of their last 12 in all competitions. Title race: Tactical battles As the top four prepare to go head-to-head, Jamie Redknapp analyses the tactical battles Team newsCaptain Kompany is back in contention for Manchester City for Sundays crucial clash against Tottenham.Kompany has played just nine minutes of Citys last 20 games because of a calf injury and his return coincides with news that playmaker David Silva has shaken off an ankle problem. City were beaten 3-1 by Leicester at the Etihad last weekend On the downside, midfielder Fabian Delph (Achilles) faces six to seven weeks out and right-back Bacary Sagna (knee) is also missing this weekend. Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri, Wilfried Bony, Jesus Navas and Kevin De Bruyne are also sidelined.Alli is expected to be recalled by Tottenham after starting the win over Watford on the bench due to illness. Defender Kevin Wimmer will continue to deputise for the injured Jan Vertonghen (knee). Henrys top-four combined XI Thierry Henry picks his combined XI from Leicester, Arsenal, Tottenham and Man City... Opta statsThe last nine Premier League games between these two sides have seen 41 goals scored.Manchester City have won eight and lost two of the last 10 Premier League meetings with Spurs, including victories in the last five in a row at the Etihad Stadium. Fabian Delph has been added to Manchester Citys long list of injuries Manchesster City have not beaten any side currently in the top six of the Premier League table this season (D3 L4).ddddddddddddSergio Aguero has scored 10 goals in eight Premier League appearances against Tottenham.Aguero has scored the most goals from outside the box this season in the Premier League (four) despite only hitting the target seven times from long range.Agueros minutes per goal rate of one every 108.2 minutes is the best of any player with at least five goals scored in Premier League history. Mauricio Pochettino thinks Tottenaham can win the Premier League but theyll have to win almost every game remaining Mersons predictionsIf Im being honest, I dont see Spurs winning this game. They havent got pace on the counter like Leicester have so Im unsure how theyll hurt Manchester City.I dont see them losing the game though, theyll get a draw which is still a great result ahead of a favourable home game against Palace next week. Jamie Redknapp joins Ed Draper to discuss Super Sundays triple header as the top four all meet Spurs have conceded 10 goals in their last two trips to the Etihad but this Tottenham team is a completely different animal under Pochettino, this is one of the best sides theyve had in years.Manchester City will no doubt cause Spurs problems too but I dont see either side running away with a game which is relatively well matched.PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)BettingSecond plays fourth in the late kick off on Sunday as Tottenham (12/5) visit Man City (21/20). Spurs hammered City 4-1 earlier this season, while City won by the same margin when Tottenham visited the Etihad last season. Tottenham to win with both teams scoring is 9/2, while City to win by exactly two goals is 5/1.Sky Sports Jamie Redknapp and Matt Le Tissier are both backing a 22/1 scorecast - Sergio Aguero to score first in a 1-1 draw. Man City are also one of the picks in Sundays Soccer Special Price Boost. Back the City, Arsenal and Liverpool all to win at 8/1 (was 5/1). Click here to check out all the latest odds ' ' '