MLB stops Bryce Harper from using Statue of Liberty bat on Fourth of July

Harper had to use his normal bat because of MLB rules

Last year, Nationals wunderkind Bryce Harper smacked a home run on the Fourth of July using a very patriotic stars and stripes bat. He joked he would probably get fined because the bat went against MLB's regulations.

This season, Harper had a much grander design in mind. He was planning to use a Statue of Liberty bat -- at least until MLB shut it down. Here's the bat:

To the soldiers who keep our land safe and free this was going to be for you, to tell the true story of the amazing life that I have growing up in such a beautiful country..This wouldn't be possible with out the whole military and the efforts and sacrifices they take every single day! I love America and I love the freedom that we have..One day I hope players in the @MLB can express the way they feel and give thanks to everybody that makes our lives possible and safe every single day through bats or cleats or anything to that point..Again thank you and #Oorah 🇺🇸 And no I will not being using this bat today to respect the rules of @MLB! #Merica

A photo posted by Bryce Harper (@bharper3407) on Jul 4, 2016 at 6:54am PDT

Rule 3.02 (d) says explicitly "no colored bat may be used in a professional game unless approved by the Rules Committee." Writing is also not allowed on bats. Harper has not commented about the bat the last few days.

According to Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post, Victus Sports, the manufacturer of Harper's Statue of Liberty bat, received a notice from MLB that they could be disciplined if the bat was used in a game. MLB could have suspended their license, which would be a huge deal.

Teams use special holiday jerseys and hats each year, so why not bats too? Auction it off for charity afterwards. What's the harm? Lame.