Contraction

[Exhibitman]

Here's a novel idea: aim the cameras at the game. I hate watching baseball on Fox because of how piss-poor the direction is. Close-up shot of the batter, CU of the pitcher, CU of the dugout, CU of a fan, two seconds of action, repeat. You'd never know there are players in the field, defensive positions being set, etc.

As for contraction, I agree, but only if serious cost controls are put in place to make the game accessible to fans again. Tickets, parking and food costs make it a serious decision to take the family to a game, unless you want to sit on the roof (and in L.A. that means sitting in an "atmosphere" that the LAPD gang unit labels as something akin to a prison yard). Prices have gone up so far, so fast that it doesn't make sense to take in more than a few games a year.

[mintacular]

Wrong on Pittsburgh, if they have a competitive team they draw very big crowds, many sell outs...This team has deep historical roots/very strong baseball town but the lack of the salary cap + bad management has led to nearly 20 losing seasons, naturally you are not going to sell out during those years...Baseball's biggest issue is that there is no salary cap and so team's like the Red Sox can just go out and buy themselves a pennant (A. Gonzalez). Broken system

Here's an interesting attendance 2011 stats:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/attendance/_/sort/homePct

[jb217676]

A BIG no on Toronto! After some pretty lean years, the team is headed in the right direction (I believe we have the 4th best minor league system in baseball). We'll lock-up the young, blue-chip players for 5-7 years (like Cleveland and the Twins) and have many assets left to trade. We have a bunch of pitching, and catching is also an area of strength in this organization. Here's what the Jays currently have going for them:

Already here:
Adam Lind, J.P. Arencibia, Yunel Escobar, Travis Snider, Eric Thames, Brandon Morrow, Ricky Romero

On the way:
Brett Lawrie, Kyle Drabek, Anthony Gose, Adeiny Hechavarria, Moises Sierra, Deck McGuire, Henderson Alvarez, Zach Stewart, Travis d’Arnaud, Mike McDade

Add to this mix the best player in baseball (Jose Bautista), a couple more bats and some bullpen help, we'll challenge for this division again. We just need to get these kids ready to replace the dead weight on this team (Encarnacion?). The fans show up when we're winning or a big draw is in town (well over 100,000 fans this weekend to see the Yankees). If the Blue Jays can play meaningful games in September again, this town will go crazy!

[sox1903wschamp]

Originally Posted by mintacular

Baseball's biggest issue is that there is no salary cap and so team's like the Red Sox can just go out and buy themselves a pennant (A. Gonzalez). Broken system

[/URL]

FWIW, AGON was a trade and not a free agent signing which does not absolve the Sox from trying to buy a pennant. There trying to keep up with NYY. And I do think it is a broken system but retraction should be a last resort. All hell broke loose when they tried to get rid of the Twins in the not too distant past.

[Brendan]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Here's a novel idea: aim the cameras at the game. I hate watching baseball on Fox because of how piss-poor the direction is. Close-up shot of the batter, CU of the pitcher, CU of the dugout, CU of a fan, two seconds of action, repeat. You'd never know there are players in the field, defensive positions being set, etc.

Best thing ever said. And you have to listen to Mr. Obvious and Joe Buck...


Contraction...in my opinion just about the worst thing you can do for baseball.

Let's see.

Arizona - they have a pretty new stadium and are in 2nd place right now. They have a solid fan base.
Pittsburgh - They're in first place in the Central. They have pretty good attendance. Need I say more?
Washington - They have a brand new stadium. It's not like they won't spend money if you forced them to.
Seattle - This is probably one of the most outrageous ideas. Anybody who lives within Washington, Montana, Idado, Oregon, British Columbia (or Jays fans) and Alaska are Mariners fans.
Toronto - You're going to take away the only team Canada has? Isn't MLB becoming more international?
Cleveland - Nothing against getting rid of this place.
Baltimore - Baltimore has always been a good place for baseball. If the DC area has 2 baseball teams, you're getting rid of both?
Kansas City - They have an optimistic future and don't have the worst fan base.
Tampa Bay - No argument here.
Oakland - Oakland is going to have a new stadium in a few years downtown. Billy Beane is eventually going to get fired and then they will get back to winning again. They had good attendance before they removed the upper deck. They made it so you either got a terrible bleacher seat or spent a lot of money to sit downstairs. It won't be this way for long.
Florida - Well.....I wouldn't be disappointed.


And why should anybody have an issue with what players are paid? If say Albert Pujols = 25 million per year and the money the team makes off him is 40 million, (just an example, not sure about the actual numbers) why wouldn't you do it? It's a business. You didn't buy a baseball team to become a millionaire. They charge the most they can while low enough that they get it as full as possible. They want to generate the most revenue possible. If anybody has a problem with this, just don't go.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Brendan

And why should anybody have an issue with what players are paid? If say Albert Pujols = 25 million per year and the money the team makes off him is 40 million, (just an example, not sure about the actual numbers) why wouldn't you do it? It's a business.

Well, how about because, as Adam stated and I agree, regular folks can barely afford to go to games, that's why.

[Brendan]

Originally Posted by Leon

Well, how about because, as Adam stated and I agree, regular folks can barely afford to go to games, that's why.

That's terrible. I used to go to more games too. But what can be done? The owners are in it to make money and the players are in it to make money. Both groups that have a say are happy how it is.

[carrigansghost]

Thanks for the link Patrick, it is what I based the contraction on. The stadium in Pitt is awesome, but I could put a mule in the Kentucky Derby and it would be the same. They are takers in the revenue sharing and have no desire to put a decent product on the field. How many years do the fans have to wait for a .500 season?

Arizona? Walked up on a Saturday game and got tickets in the third row for face value.

Washington? Just like the Gov. spend $$ foolishly.

Seattle? Starbucks draws a bigger crowd.

Toronto? Heard they were trying to get more people to have sex in the hotel window to attract crowds.

Cleveland? Great stadium, fan apathy.

Baltimore? Maybe an owner that has a clue.

KC? A sad story that cries small market.

TB? Nuff Said.

Oakland? Removed the upper deck? Again a case of fans not caring.

Fla? World Series and no one came. At least Houston fans turn out for a good product on the field when it's available.

[carrigansghost]

Here's a link back Patrick.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_o...tistical_Areas

Guess if 22nd in the US pop reports can't support it, then it needs to go. I have to drive 3 hours to a game, let's look at all populations within 3 hours of a stadium or park.

Is it common practice to go to a game dressed as an empty seat?

Rawn

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Leon

Well, how about because, as Adam stated and I agree, regular folks can barely afford to go to games, that's why.

+1. I did a little online research. To sit field level inside the baselines for the Dodgers buying tickets directly from the team online is $398 for a family of three, plus $15-$30 to park, plus food and drink. And that isn't even the best seating--that would be the dugout club seating, which runs hundreds more per seat. Even loge seating, which is a deck above the field, starts at $82 a seat. The worst seats in the house are twenty five bucks each [though in fairness, the gangbanger intimidation and beat-downs are free of charge in those seating locations]. it is crazy, just far too expensive for a middle class purchaser to even consider taking the family to a game.

[Orioles1954]

Originally Posted by Leon

Well, how about because, as Adam stated and I agree, regular folks can barely afford to go to games, that's why.

My family of four and I can go to an Orioles game for less than $40 including parking. MLB is too costly? Really? By the way, Baltimore is a tremendous baseball town. If you can give me three good reasons why it should be contracted I am all ears.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

My family of four and I can go to an Orioles game for less than $40 including parking. MLB is too costly? Really? By the way, Baltimore is a tremendous baseball town. If you can give me three good reasons why it should be contracted I am all ears.

Really, $40 for a family of 4 with parking? Forty dollars won't even get you parking in some places. Actually, I was just commenting and don't care that much, in reality...I can't stand any new MLB in the least. So for me, the tickets could be free or a million dollars, I am not interested. I am glad you like the games and they are cheap. Now as far as minor league games, love them. Love baseball....just not anything about MLB. I know I am in the vast minority but that's ok.....best regards

[Orioles1954]

Originally Posted by Leon

Really, $40 for a family of 4 with parking? Forty dollars won't even get you parking in some places. Actually, I was just commenting and don't care that much, in reality...I can't stand any new MLB in the least. So for me, the tickets could be free or a million dollars, I am not interested. I am glad you like the games and they are cheap. Now as far as minor league games, love them. Love baseball....just not anything about MLB. I know I am in the vast minority but that's ok.....best regards

I also prefer going to the Class A Frederick Keys of the Carolina League My family loves those games.

[barrysloate]

I have tickets for the August 6 game between the Brooklyn Cyclones and the Staten Island Yankees, and early reports are that Johann Santana is scheduled to make his first rehab start for Brooklyn that night. I know that one little twinge in his arm would set him back, but if it should happen, now that would be cool.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

My family of four and I can go to an Orioles game for less than $40 including parking. MLB is too costly? Really? By the way, Baltimore is a tremendous baseball town. If you can give me three good reasons why it should be contracted I am all ears.

Yeah, but it's Baltimore. You know the old joke about how a flight to NYC is diverted for bad weather and when the pilot announces they are going to Baltimore a drunk in the back yells "Baltimore? I'd rather crash in New York than land in Baltimore!"

But in all fairness, the ballpark in Baltimore is quite nice; best sauna I ever sat in.

You've been a great crowd, enjoy April Wine.

[carrigansghost]

Great ballpark, try walking 5 blocks away from it. Most cops would take a pass.

Rawn