|
Post by Jack Bauer on Jun 18, 2020 14:38:30 GMT -4
Apologize to the rest for where this one ended up. There's a good conversation to be had if anyone is willing to open their mind beyond "the nice thing about baseball on TV is you can do other things, flick back and forth between games." I think most understand the difference between revenue and popularity and how the 2 are not necessarily linked. I think you both have some valid points ... it is bad for baseball that interest among younger and minority populations is waning - anyone involved in the game would be a fool to suggest that it is not a long term concern for the health of the game. On the flip, MLBs ability to increase the revenue per game in recent years has been a huge positive ... but it would be even better if it wasn't concentrated on older fans. Compare it to selling cars ... you can make a lot of money selling a high volume of inexpensive vehicles, and you can also make a lot of money selling a smaller number of luxury vehicles. But if your currently profitable luxury vehicle brand has no appeal to younger drivers, sooner or later you are going to run into a problem when your core group of fans die off ... is MLB at risk of turning into the Oldsmobile of the sports world? The car analogy is a good one. It also kind of goes with how society has evolved. Back in say the 1940's through the 1960's when baseball was considered the #1 sport the world moved at a slower pace. News traveled slowly. Life didn't seem to move as quick. And kicking back to watch a 3 hour ball game was a part of that culture. Now we want instant everything. Highlights, reaction, news. So the NFL's and NBA's of the world that, in my opinion, offer more return on the investment in terms of entertainment on a per game basis. A great MLB hitter gets a hit 3 out of 10 times. 40 home runs in 600 at bats. Pitcher K's 12 guys in 7 innings. It's a sport of patience. It will be interesting to see if they stick to the tradition or try to modernize the game a game.
|
|
|
Post by scotiahockey on Jun 18, 2020 20:34:13 GMT -4
I think you both have some valid points ... it is bad for baseball that interest among younger and minority populations is waning - anyone involved in the game would be a fool to suggest that it is not a long term concern for the health of the game. On the flip, MLBs ability to increase the revenue per game in recent years has been a huge positive ... but it would be even better if it wasn't concentrated on older fans. Compare it to selling cars ... you can make a lot of money selling a high volume of inexpensive vehicles, and you can also make a lot of money selling a smaller number of luxury vehicles. But if your currently profitable luxury vehicle brand has no appeal to younger drivers, sooner or later you are going to run into a problem when your core group of fans die off ... is MLB at risk of turning into the Oldsmobile of the sports world? The car analogy is a good one. It also kind of goes with how society has evolved. Back in say the 1940's through the 1960's when baseball was considered the #1 sport the world moved at a slower pace. News traveled slowly. Life didn't seem to move as quick. And kicking back to watch a 3 hour ball game was a part of that culture. Now we want instant everything. Highlights, reaction, news. So the NFL's and NBA's of the world that, in my opinion, offer more return on the investment in terms of entertainment on a per game basis. A great MLB hitter gets a hit 3 out of 10 times. 40 home runs in 600 at bats. Pitcher K's 12 guys in 7 innings. It's a sport of patience. It will be interesting to see if they stick to the tradition or try to modernize the game a game. I wouldn’t call myself a baseball purist, steroids don’t bother me, a lot of things that go on don’t bother me. There is, however a lot of things that I love about the game that I think are going to flat out disappear in an attempt to modernize and get the younger fans into it. I like the strategy that goes into bringing in a pitcher to face 1 batter or playing small ball to generate a run in a tight game (a lost art), I love the mind games and deceit that go into the battle between pitcher and batter. I love the difference between the AL and NL (although that’s gone forever I think), it’s a strategic game and one that I love to think about 3-4 moves/pitches in advance. I don’t hate the shift or think it’s ruining baseball like some of the purists do, I hate that the batters don’t adjust and lay down a bunt though. Doing it once will keep the defence honest. I love a 1-0 game where the pitcher is dealing and making the batters look silly, although a lot of people don’t. I’ll still watch if and when they change the rules to modernize, I’ll adapt and it won’t bother me too much. I am however a little scared that the game I grew up loving and watching, is quickly disappearing. It doesn’t interest the younger crowd, it’s tough to get amped up when a team plays 162 games a season, they don’t mean much until the end of August really. I know a few younger guys that appreciate the art of baseball but not enough. I probably sound like a crusty old man afraid of change (I’m neither) but there’s a lot of nuances about baseball that you don’t get in any other team sport. It’s an individual game played in a team environment, the grind of a 162 game season is unmatched and I think we will see less and less of what made baseball, baseball, as they attempt to draw in the next generation.
|
|
|
Post by warrenmc on Jun 18, 2020 22:57:31 GMT -4
Though I understand why they exist, analytics have ruined the game. I enjoy the low scoring games as well and miss stolen bases. Bring back Vince Coleman, Ricky Henderson, Kenny Lofton!
|
|
|
Post by bois on Jun 19, 2020 13:24:25 GMT -4
alot of good discussion here i can agree with many points on both sides
growing up baseball was my favorite game... to play and to watch..... the strikes really put a negative light on it for me as my interest in hockey grew and surpassed baseball..... the 94 season was almost a final straw of sorts
the steroid era actually brought alot of interest back into the game and of course my Red Sox had many winning seasons and some championships that kept me interested enough
but this saga is gonna do permanent damage if they dont play and the other sports do over money.....
as for the pace of the games im all for doing something to make them quicker but not at the expense of ruining the entire game...... tough balance for sure
i don't understand the NBA appeal tho.... its a sport where you dont need to watch 90% of the game ... everything pretty much happens the last 2 minutes... it's a sport where there are very few upsets.... i appreciate the athleticism but i cannot get invested in the sport at all
|
|
|
Post by Captain Obvious on Jun 19, 2020 14:37:31 GMT -4
alot of good discussion here i can agree with many points on both sides growing up baseball was my favorite game... to play and to watch..... the strikes really put a negative light on it for me as my interest in hockey grew and surpassed baseball..... the 94 season was almost a final straw of sorts the steroid era actually brought alot of interest back into the game and of course my Red Sox had many winning seasons and some championships that kept me interested enough but this saga is gonna do permanent damage if they dont play and the other sports do over money..... as for the pace of the games im all for doing something to make them quicker but not at the expense of ruining the entire game...... tough balance for sure i don't understand the NBA appeal tho.... its a sport where you dont need to watch 90% of the game ... everything pretty much happens the last 2 minutes... it's a sport where there are very few upsets.... i appreciate the athleticism but i cannot get invested in the sport at all I agree on the NBA, In the US a lot of it's appeal is to folks that grew up playing it, mostly minorities. Over the last 20-25 years it's grown to be a lot more mainstream bit isn't yet in the fabric like NFL and MLB are. The rules where you can foul the other team to try and win I find moronic and that contributes to only the last 2-3 minutes deciding games.
|
|
|
Post by lirette on Jun 19, 2020 17:25:33 GMT -4
A covid outbreak has already shutdown Phillies camp. I will be truely impressed of any of these pro team sports get off the ground.
|
|
|
Post by gtsoc on Jun 19, 2020 18:29:00 GMT -4
A covid outbreak has already shutdown Phillies camp. I will be truely impressed of any of these pro team sports get off the ground. The Jays have closed theirs down as well. Not surprised by this, especially with these camps being in Florida. Florida just recorded their 3rd straight recording setting day with 3,207 positive tests.
|
|
|
Post by hal on Jun 24, 2020 4:34:43 GMT -4
"MLB as a Deal" .......Highlights.........60 Game Schedule ........Players report July 1st .....to be tested ......Season to begin July 24th ......it doesn't appear to be a Bubble Type Affair ........it's a Sprint that's for sure ..........Where will the Blue Jays Play ? www.mlb.com/news/mlb-announces-2020-regular-season
|
|
|
Post by moosefan25 on Jun 24, 2020 14:37:05 GMT -4
Looks like the schedule will be regional to reduce travel across the country. For example the AL East teams will play each other 10x each (40 games total) and then play the five teams in the NL East for the remaining 20 games (4 games each or some combination to get to 20). There was talk that teams in the same city (Yankees & Mets) could end up playing 6 games against each other.
The Toronto Blue Jays schedule would be 10 games each vs the Yankees, Boston, Baltimore and Tampa Bay and then 4 games each vs the Miami, Washington, NY Mets, Atlanta & Philadelphia.
With this type of schedule I would think that a team like Baltimore might be lucky to win 20 games this year. Tough schedule for sure.
|
|
|
Post by Captain Obvious on Jun 24, 2020 15:06:11 GMT -4
Looks like the schedule will be regional to reduce travel across the country. For example the AL East teams will play each other 10x each (40 games total) and then play the five teams in the NL East for the remaining 20 games (4 games each or some combination to get to 20). There was talk that teams in the same city (Yankees & Mets) could end up playing 6 games against each other. The Toronto Blue Jays schedule would be 10 games each vs the Yankees, Boston, Baltimore and Tampa Bay and then 4 games each vs the Miami, Washington, NY Mets, Atlanta & Philadelphia. With this type of schedule I would think that a team like Baltimore might be lucky to win 20 games this year. Tough schedule for sure. Baltimore is missing their best player to boot with Mancini out for the year.
|
|
|
Post by yesisaiditfirst on Jun 24, 2020 20:53:28 GMT -4
The car analogy is a good one. It also kind of goes with how society has evolved. Back in say the 1940's through the 1960's when baseball was considered the #1 sport the world moved at a slower pace. News traveled slowly. Life didn't seem to move as quick. And kicking back to watch a 3 hour ball game was a part of that culture. Now we want instant everything. Highlights, reaction, news. So the NFL's and NBA's of the world that, in my opinion, offer more return on the investment in terms of entertainment on a per game basis. A great MLB hitter gets a hit 3 out of 10 times. 40 home runs in 600 at bats. Pitcher K's 12 guys in 7 innings. It's a sport of patience. It will be interesting to see if they stick to the tradition or try to modernize the game a game. I wouldn’t call myself a baseball purist, steroids don’t bother me, a lot of things that go on don’t bother me. There is, however a lot of things that I love about the game that I think are going to flat out disappear in an attempt to modernize and get the younger fans into it. I like the strategy that goes into bringing in a pitcher to face 1 batter or playing small ball to generate a run in a tight game (a lost art), I love the mind games and deceit that go into the battle between pitcher and batter. I love the difference between the AL and NL (although that’s gone forever I think), it’s a strategic game and one that I love to think about 3-4 moves/pitches in advance. I don’t hate the shift or think it’s ruining baseball like some of the purists do, I hate that the batters don’t adjust and lay down a bunt though. Doing it once will keep the defence honest. I love a 1-0 game where the pitcher is dealing and making the batters look silly, although a lot of people don’t. I’ll still watch if and when they change the rules to modernize, I’ll adapt and it won’t bother me too much. I am however a little scared that the game I grew up loving and watching, is quickly disappearing. It doesn’t interest the younger crowd, it’s tough to get amped up when a team plays 162 games a season, they don’t mean much until the end of August really. I know a few younger guys that appreciate the art of baseball but not enough. I probably sound like a crusty old man afraid of change (I’m neither) but there’s a lot of nuances about baseball that you don’t get in any other team sport. It’s an individual game played in a team environment, the grind of a 162 game season is unmatched and I think we will see less and less of what made baseball, baseball, as they attempt to draw in the next generation. I started watching baseball when I was 11 and in those days late 70s and into early 80s what I loved about the game were players generally stayed onnthe same teams. They might be on 2 teams if they got traded. A trade was a big deal. In the mid 80s free agency became more open but I cant keep up with the movement now. Teams turn over rosters and players move more and it is hard for me to enjoy. The teams dont have that identity. I agree it was a slower way of life. I listened to games from up the east coast on the AM radio. I could even pull in the Tigers games most summer nights.
|
|
|
Post by lirette on Jul 23, 2020 15:05:38 GMT -4
MLB Opening Day! :
Juan Soto tests positive for corunavirus (asymptomatic) and practiced with the team yesterday.
|
|
|
Post by SteveUL on Jul 24, 2020 9:54:23 GMT -4
MLB Opening Day! : Juan Soto tests positive for corunavirus (asymptomatic) and practiced with the team yesterday. What is the over/under on average number of games that will be played this year before it shuts down ? I'm saying 18 games.
|
|
|
Post by Jack Bauer on Jul 24, 2020 13:26:41 GMT -4
MLB Opening Day! : Juan Soto tests positive for corunavirus (asymptomatic) and practiced with the team yesterday. What is the over/under on average number of games that will be played this year before it shuts down ? I'm saying 18 games. Can't see it shutting down unless someone dies. Players getting it and missing a couple weeks will become normal. It is already based on the Soto incident. Zero talk of not playing that game last night.
|
|
|
Post by warrenmc on Jul 25, 2020 11:52:16 GMT -4
What is the over/under on average number of games that will be played this year before it shuts down ? I'm saying 18 games. Can't see it shutting down unless someone dies. Players getting it and missing a couple weeks will become normal. It is already based on the Soto incident. Zero talk of not playing that game last night. They will use all 60 players if they have to. Maybe we will see Wander Franco play this season? lol
|
|