I know what you mean about trying to find a real fan at a ballgame.
Now, it's packaged as an "event," and half the people who are there go because it's a "hot" place to be.
I'm all for imaginative ways to get people to the park, though. Whatever it takes to get the revenue stream flowing.
Good topic. The Royals drew 1.8 million last year and just spent a ton to upgrade the stadium. Yea they suck record wise, but they have good tradition (6 AL west titles in 10 year span, 2 WS appearances, one title). I have trouble seeing how many other franchises, including Seattle, has done it better or continues to draw in down times as well. When they finally field a good team again it will be a great baseball town again (Our current owner is awful and has done little to help).
I'm a baseball traditionalist so I'm opposed to interleague play. I understand why MLB likes it and all, but you're asking teams from different baseball philosophies to play against each other, i.e., DH vs. NON DH. I'm such a traditionalist that I'd eliminate about ten of the existing teams. We have too many teams and the talent pool overall has diminished greatly in the past 35 years or so. We should eliminate the DH, which I consider a form of t-ball, drop about ten or so teams, and reorganize the leagues along geographical lines. This way we'd see teams in our region more often. We'd see a better brand of baseball all around too, I believe.
I enjoy the inter league play as it spices things up. Just a change from the normal routine is what appeals to me. I prefer the traditional rules of the senior circuit but as someone pointed out long ago, variety is the spice of life.
As far as it being unfair as to who gets to play who based on what division your team is in...I don't think it's unfair at all. Good teams find ways to win and overcome these hurdles whether it's by skill, luck or a combination of the two. Baseball, with it's extraordinary long season. also has the attrition factor. Again, the good teams over come this.
I would rather see MLB drop the wildcard bracket and go back to the playoff existing of two teams in each league playing for the pennant and then on to the World Series. This will never happen because baseball would lose revenue and that's what makes the world go around.
The fairness thing just doesn't sit right with me. If baseball were serious about fairness they would have the more socialist, if you will, system that the NFL has and eliminate the big market factor that stacks the deck against such teams as K.C., Cleveland, Seattle and so on and so forth.
These are just my "feelings" and not to say that an opposing or different view is wrong.
Baseball has never been perfect and never will be.
Doc
Hey, doc!
A belated welcome aboard!
Interesting thoughts. I, too, prefer the N.L. style (though I'm conflicted, having been a huge Edgar Martinez fan).
The "fairness" argument also doesn't even begin to address simply being the Baltimore Orioles and having to play all those games against the Yankees, Red Sox, etc. You are right, in that the best teams will find a way to win.
I would also be happy to see the Wild Card go You'd have to get back to two divisions at that point. Of course, you'd also be back to where you could finish the postseason before Halloween, which is the best thing!
It is fun to see teams and players from the other league. The real point is that all those extra series results in a lot of two-game "mini-series" during the season. Or maybe you just get one three-game series to see the Yankees all season, instead of the regular two.
In the end, though, you're right again. Baseball is not perfect. In many ways, that's exactly why it's so much fun!
Glad to have you with us!
