I don't think it is. The player pool has extended to many regions of the globe, making the number of candidates more than ever.
I think the play is better now than it probably ever has been.
I agree. I also think that the game is as strong now as it's ever been. Lots of teams are selling out lots of games. There's gorgeous new stadiums across both leagues. We have all-time greats in their golden years, new HOF'ers in their prime, and one of the best crops of young players we've seen in decades.
The game could still be improved, but it's still a beautiful game.
PujolJunkie wrote:
Plus.. what does that do for teams that are out of playoff contention by the deadline? It does nothing for them. There should be something to the All Star Game.. but what? I don't know exactly.
Nothing against you, I just don't see why people think the ASG needs to mean something. In every other sport it's simply an exhibition of the best players in the league, nothing more. Fans of the sport will tune in to watch but there isn't anything you can do to get non-fans to tune in. MLB thinks having homefield on the line will boost ratings but I suspect that the same people would tune in regardless.
I've been harping on this for years. The game itself doesn't need to "mean" anything. What it needs to be is what it has been--a tradition.
My personal thoughts, play it on the afternoon of July 4 every year. Most people are having cookouts, etc. at their houses. Tons of people would relax and tune in during the afternoon. Sure, some people have other things to do (vacations, etc.). But lots of people are already finding numerous other things to tune into on the random Tuesday night when they have it now.
Baseball (and Fox) need to realize that lots of people don't care about all-star games. How many people really watch the Pro Bowl? I think I'd rather watch a(nother) re-run of poker on ESPN2 than the Pro Bowl.
Da Rocket Sauce wrote:is the talent in mlb really that diluted? there were a lot of crappy players in the golden years too.
I don't think it is. The player pool has extended to many regions of the globe, making the number of candidates more than ever.
I think the play is better now than it probably ever has been.
I agree here with Jim. In 1976 there were 24 teams in MLB and 200 million people in the US alone. now there is 300 million people in the US and 30 teams. Our population has increased by 50% and Baseball has only increased by 25% not to mention what jim said above aboult MLB's global reach now. I get tired of old timeplayers saying the game is too diluted and was better when they played. Ridiculous!!!
Another thought. Day baseball during the world series so that when the younger generation grows up they actually have a connection to the game. As it stands now, 99% of them are in bed by the 3rd inning. Also, 5 minute pregame shows are sufficient. Start the game at 7:05, don't list it at 7:00 and start it at 7:25. Umpires keep the game moving, one less commercial between innings, start it at 7:05 and kids might actually have a chance to see most of the game. Throw in those day games on the weekend and who knows, ratings might actually go up.
The one thing I would change about baseball is to get more inter-city kids (As well as the suburbs) to play the game again like it was 30-40-50 years ago. Too many of our better athletes are playing Basketball, Football etc. In some states (because of the weather) baseball is played all year. Perhaps some indoor facilities should be built (in the northern states) to provide a "playing field" and/or workout area for baseball players. MLB should make a better effort with the cities (and surrounding areas) they extort money from with their stadium deals to provide facilities for their future ballplayers and fans. It should make a better effort tom make Baseball the #1 sport in the USA.
Another thing that should be changed and addressed is the accountability of the Umpires. too many lazy umpires in todays game.
1. Don't allow any warmup pitches for relief pitchers when they come into the game.
2. Raise the pitching mound to give some advantage back to the pitcher.
I'm all for the mound being raised. #1 won't work for a couple of reasons, one is commercials. TV revenue. But I assume that you are coming up with that to help move the game along, and I couldn't agree more. I've seen enough posts on here that suggest maybe the average fan thinks the games drag on without reason, and I wish MLB would do something about that. They need their TV revenue, but the umps with the backing of the leagues need to enforce rules in place, and maybe create something to help move it along.
1. Don't allow any warmup pitches for relief pitchers when they come into the game.
2. Raise the pitching mound to give some advantage back to the pitcher.
I'm all for the mound being raised. #1 won't work for a couple of reasons, one is commercials. TV revenue. But I assume that you are coming up with that to help move the game along, and I couldn't agree more. I've seen enough posts on here that suggest maybe the average fan thinks the games drag on without reason, and I wish MLB would do something about that. They need their TV revenue, but the umps with the backing of the leagues need to enforce rules in place, and maybe create something to help move it along.
When I quite watching a baseball game to do something else is without fail during a pitching change!
jim wrote:Mine would be to stop dicking around with their fans over this cable deal. They could institute a continuous batting order for all I care if they treated me better.
