Major League Baseball struck out in its attempt to trademark the phrase 'Play Ball' for clothing. The United States Patent and Trademark Office rejected the application, ruling that the term is too commonplace and widely used to identify a single source.

The USPTO determined that 'Play Ball' conveys an ordinary, familiar concept that cannot function as a trademark. The office noted the phrase is commonly used to refer to cooperation or starting activities, and included extensive documentation showing its widespread use across various clothing companies.

Trademark attorney Josh Gerben explained that consumers cannot reasonably associate such a generic phrase with one company's products. He pointed out that other businesses have successfully trademarked 'Play Ball' for specific contexts like bubble gum and playground surfacing.

Despite this setback, MLB maintains ownership of approximately 200 active trademarks including 'Play Ball Park' and phrases like 'Home Run Derby.' The league has three months to request reconsideration of the USPTO's decision.