Interesting article...

 

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/1964760...seball-20-years

 

But as much as the game will try to become safer, the players will still be asked to play 162 games a year, not 154, not 140. That's because MLB always protects its statistics, but mostly it's because owners won't be willing to forfeit roughly $2 million to $3 million per home date. There will be no American League and National League, it will all be under one MLB. There will be no Oakland Athletics or Tampa Bay Rays. The game will not expand to Mexico or Japan or Las Vegas. Instead, it will contract from 30 to 28 teams. That will make scheduling easier and more equitable: All teams will play each other six times, 27 times six equals 162. The top 10 teams in the game will make the playoffs.

 

Like any $10 billion industry, it will all be about revenue. That's why, long before 2037, all that space on a player's uniform will be used for free marketing and advertising purposes, à la NASCAR. Indeed, put AT&T on Kris Bryant's helmet and see how many phones you sell the next day. We're already there with special uniforms used on holidays, etc.; it will only be expanded to the point that players will become walking billboards. And all teams will have lucrative naming rights for ballparks, including Fenway and Wrigley.

Really interesting stuff. I agree with the dissolution of the leagues. If that were to happen, we're talking league-wide DH.

 

I would be interested in seeing the data regarding on-jersey advertising. I'm a soccer fan but I'm not convinced that I will go buy a jeep because Juventus wears Jeep on their uniforms.

I love the idea of playing every team every season. Gets boring seeing the Tigers, Indians, Twins and Royals all the time.

https://vimeo.com/147674727

Really interesting stuff. I agree with the dissolution of the leagues. If that were to happen, we're talking league-wide DH.

 

I would be interested in seeing the data regarding on-jersey advertising. I'm a soccer fan but I'm not convinced that I will go buy a jeep because Juventus wears Jeep on their uniforms.

Or eliminating the DH.

 

This all implies going back to the 1950 and 60's prior to division. Have the top X number of teams make the playoffs. What's new is old.

The answer is obvious:

 

Or eliminating the DH.

 

This all implies going back to the 1950 and 60's prior to division. Have the top X number of teams make the playoffs. What's new is old.

 

They still had AL and NL and only one team made it from each league.

They still had AL and NL and only one team made it from each league.

right they had two leagues but no divisions. The league played every other team in the league evenly instead of divisional play.

 

As far as only one team, that's why I added the X number of teams. Play would return to that format only more teams would make the "playoffs" and there would be the multiple rounds instead of just the World series.

I love the idea of playing every team every season. Gets boring seeing the Tigers, Indians, Twins and Royals all the time.

This. The White Sox BY FAR have the worst travel schedule in terms of exciting destinations.

 

Or eliminating the DH.

 

This all implies going back to the 1950 and 60's prior to division. Have the top X number of teams make the playoffs. What's new is old.

Baseball will never eliminate the DH. The pitcher batting in the NL is a blemish in an otherwise universal adoption of the DH. Also, you are never, ever going to get the players union to agree to eliminating the DH as the long term DH's strengthen the union and the position extends careers.

This. The White Sox BY FAR have the worst travel schedule in terms of exciting destinations.

 

 

Baseball will never eliminate the DH. The pitcher batting in the NL is a blemish in an otherwise universal adoption of the DH. Also, you are never, ever going to get the players union to agree to eliminating the DH as the long term DH's strengthen the union and the position extends careers.

This would be a bargaining point between the union and the league. If there was an increase in travel due to the elimination of the the division, the DH would be a bargaining point.

 

i don't ever see the league eliminating the divisions just for this reason. The travel would drive the players and the union nuts. There are enough complaints now. At least they eliminated the goofy two day series. working in the MLB was a blast except for the travel. that's the part that makes baseball such a physically and mentally draining sport.

This would be a bargaining point between the union and the league. If there was an increase in travel due to the elimination of the the division, the DH would be a bargaining point.

 

i don't ever see the league eliminating the divisions just for this reason. The travel would drive the players and the union nuts. There are enough complaints now. At least they eliminated the goofy two day series. working in the MLB was a blast except for the travel. that's the part that makes baseball such a physically and mentally draining sport.

 

The two day series hasn't been completely eliminated, as the Sox have 2 of them this year, both against the Dodgers, but I hadn't realized how far they'd cut back on that. That is awesome. Two day series suck, especially when the second game gets rained out.

The two day series hasn't been completely eliminated, as the Sox have 2 of them this year, both against the Dodgers, but I hadn't realized how far they'd cut back on that. That is awesome. Two day series suck, especially when the second game gets rained out.

 

And the Cubs, technically...

And the Cubs, technically...

 

Yeah, but I didn't consider that because it's 2 series back to back in Chicago, so essentially just a 4 game home and away.

Always interesting taking looks into the future.

 

Unfortunately, the threat of revenue and financial decisions remain prevalent against the natural beauty and creativity that competitive baseball could present.

The idea that the players will be 'spammed' with advertisements is one of the most gross ideas I've encountered. We see stadium names and boards all emblazoned with advertisements which is already ruining the atmosphere of baseball. Putting advertisements on players would kill it for me.

 

If we take away revenue bias and dream a little, I would like to see an MLB with more creativity and uniqueness.

Stadiums like Wrigley, San Francisco, Houston, and Boston (and former Twins stadium - dome) are incredible assets. Giving stadiums more creative touches while maintaining equality in the game is something I would love to see. I'm not precisely sure how to make this happen, I'll let architects decide that, but the traditional 'block' of a stadium is quite boring. Give me some creativity!

 

I would love to see a limit on free agent money. I'm not sure how this would work, but free agency is quite ridiculous in baseball. Needs a small fixing, also, a fixing so that teams can keep their franchise players more easily. It's hard to root for a franchise when their top players are going to be gone in 5 years.

 

I am 50/50 on the DH debate. Obviously, the DH is great for the AL/extending players, but there's something unique about watching an AL game vs. watching an NL game. I guess, in the end, I'd have no problem with a full DH all over, it just makes more sense.

 

I'd prefer to keep AL and NL in tact and not under one rough.

 

Overall, baseball is pretty good. Certainly leagues a head of NBA and much more enjoyable for me then the NFL.

I think at some point we'll see the mound either lowered or moved back to combat the insane velocity that's come on over the past few years.

I think at some point we'll see the mound either lowered or moved back to combat the insane velocity that's come on over the past few years.

Also, pitcher helmets

No timeouts for batters either. That was making so mad watching that game yesterday. Pitcher selects his pitch, starts the stretch, batter calls time and steps out.

Edited July 27, 20178 yr by soxfan2014

Also, pitcher helmets

 

Not just helmets, maybe even face masks by then.

I think the players association would insist on the DH in a single league format. Also see home plate umpires going away by then for sure. Think they will keep field umpires for tradition.

 

I think they should shorten the season but let far more teams into the playoffs like the nba (basically half the teams) and have each playoff series be 7 games. Would give middling teams more incentive to take risks which would make it more interesting.

Edited July 29, 20178 yr by soxforlife05

Not just helmets, maybe even face masks by then.

 

Medieval helms.