Ideas for Improving the MLB All-Star Game

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Since this is a popular area of discussion, I thought I'd like to throw out some of my ideas for improving the All-Star game and the process around it. I would have done this in the commissioner thread but it's not really integral to the health of the sport. Still, it is fun and enlivens debate.

 

1. 25 man rosters

 

It's 2003. The National League leads the American League 6-4. Brendan Donnelly pitches to Preston Wilson? Nothing harms an All-Star game more than legitimate stars leaving mid-game so we can see the third-best players at each position bat against the best middle relievers the game has to offer. Each manager should manage his roster like a real game. Nine starters, six reserves, ten pitchers. Ideally eight of those pitchers should be starters. Closers look better because they didn't have to start. Play the best guys all game unless they're older, or there is a strategic advantage to the move.

 

2. End the Representation Rule

 

This is really 1a. If you're going to limit the rosters, you have to do this. If we still have 32 man rosters though, I would keep it.

 

3. The manager picks the reserves

 

As you might know, many reserves are currently selected by MLB players. The way this works is that players receive All-Star ballots like the fans do. The players fill out the ballots and return them. If the players' selection differs from the fans', that selection makes the squad. If the selections are different, the second highest vote-getter amongst the players makes it. This is illogical. This has nothing to do with the players' ability to make intelligent decisions. Rather, the idea is to place decision making in the hands of a single entity who can then exercise flexibility as needed. The current process is too rigid.

 

4. Divide outfield voting

 

Pick three outfielders. This can lead to a scenario where you have three left fielders starting the game. Center field is a more demanding defensive position than the corners. A right fielder requires a better arm than a left fielder. The ballot should reflect this.

 

5. Allow fans to choose a starting pitcher

 

Why not? The nature of the voting wouldn't give you as good a choice as the manager's (because the fans start voting in mid-April), but you would likely get a respectable pitcher, probably the previous year's Cy Young award winner. The most deserving pitcher would still make the squad. If he comes in the third instead of the first, I could live with that.

 

6. Apply the Designated Hitter at all games

 

It's an exhibition. The pitcher bats maybe 1% of the time as it is. This would end the problems every other year of trying to vote American League DH's among first basemen.

 

7. Establish an Innings limit

 

Again, it's an exhibition. If you establish beforehand that a game will last twelve innings and no more, fans would not get ups in arms as they would for a sudden end. The rule would allow one to three extra innings (10 might be a better limit and is common for Spring Training exhibitions), and would allow managers to better manage their pitching staffs.

 

8. The game doesn't count

 

Currently the game decides home field advantage. Yet it is still played like an exhibition. If you really needed to win a game, you would hang your closer for two innings, never sit your starters, etc. It runs into several conflicts of interest and more importantly, the fans have not responded with increased enthusiasm. It's time to put the idea to rest.

 

9. Shorten the Home Run Derby

 

Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa made the Home Run Derby an event. The problem is that the Derby has gone from entertainment to a three and a half hour endurance contest. Not for the players, but for the viewers. Subject the fans to the Derby and then the game, and you're asking them to commit seven hours to baseball programming over two consecutive nights. Your hardcore fan will do it, but that is too much for the casual fan. Give the players five outs a round instead of ten.

 

10. Cut back on Commercialism

 

I can live with outfield advertisements. But the entire evening should not be an infomercial for Century 21 and Mastercard.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Remembering now something I wanted to add in regards to #1. Every year I hear about a player that he SHOULD make the All-Star team, the idea being that he's performed so well that they need to find a place for him. No. If you're one of the top two players at your position, you deserve to go. If not, try again next year. Kevin Youkilis is having a nice season, but he's third in OPS among first basemen behind Casey Kotchman and Mark Teixeira, and Justin Morneau is close behind coming off an MVP season. Just having a good season doesn't make you an All-Star. You have to beat your competition.

[Vern Gagne 0]

2. End the Representation Rule

 

This is really 1a. If you're going to limit the rosters, you have to do this. If we still have 32 man rosters though, I would keep it.

 

I'm probably the only person who likes this rule. What I'd do differently is let the fans decide who their player is.

[Hawk 34 0]

I only support the team rep rule for the host team. Otherwise, if a team doesn't have a single player worth a spot in the game, that's too bad.

[MFer 0]

Well since the Tigers are good again, I don't care about the rep. rule anymore.

[Guest Smues]

I don't mind it as is, other then get rid of THIS ONE COUNTS, and shorten the derby.

 

Also you should win things by watching.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

I don't understand why everyone hates the "This time it counts" aspect. It's not any more arbitrary that awarding it to the team with the best record or alternating year to year by league. Not that I think the sipulation is needed, but I find it odd that it gets everyone's panties in such a bunch.

[Broward83 0]

I don't understand why everyone hates the "This time it counts" aspect. It's not any more arbitrary that awarding it to the team with the best record or alternating year to year by league. Not that I think the sipulation is needed, but I find it odd that it gets everyone's panties in such a bunch.

 

Maybe because its just a fucking exhibition game with stats and records that don't count for anyone's credentials and the fact that the home field of the World Series is based off an exhibition game is simply bullshit?

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Seriously, though, what's a better solution?

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

The team with the better record having HFA in the World Series?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I'd rather they just alternated like they used to. It was never a problem until they needed to deflect criticism of the 2002 tie game.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

The team with the better record having HFA in the World Series?

 

The problem with that is the unbalanced schedule. A team with 100 wins in the NL Central is probably not as good as one with 95 in the AL East. I don't think best record is particularly helpful when there is such a vast difference in quality between the AL and NL.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

It wouldn't matter. The better team would win the World Series anyways, no matter where it was held. Just give the team with a better record some sort of reward, which is HFA.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

I prefer the idea of giving it to the league that has the best record in interleague. Maybe we can get something useful out of that horrible abomination if they are going to subject us to it every year.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

2. End the Representation Rule

 

This is really 1a. If you're going to limit the rosters, you have to do this. If we still have 32 man rosters though, I would keep it.

I actually like this rule. Obviously I'm a Yankee fan so it's likely I will see several Yankees in the ASG. But if I'm a kid in Kansas City or something, I would like to see my team represented. This is the MLB all star game. We should see all the stars from all the teams. It's not really a big deal, and doesn't have a huge impact anyway. It's an exhibition after all, besides, if we take out the homefield thing, it really really doesn't matter.

6. Apply the Designated Hitter at all games

 

It's an exhibition. The pitcher bats maybe 1% of the time as it is. This would end the problems every other year of trying to vote American League DH's among first basemen.

 

Absolute no-brainer.

 

8. The game doesn't count

 

Currently the game decides home field advantage. Yet it is still played like an exhibition. If you really needed to win a game, you would hang your closer for two innings, never sit your starters, etc. It runs into several conflicts of interest and more importantly, the fans have not responded with increased enthusiasm. It's time to put the idea to rest.

 

Ditto.

 

9. Shorten the Home Run Derby

 

Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa made the Home Run Derby an event. The problem is that the Derby has gone from entertainment to a three and a half hour endurance contest. Not for the players, but for the viewers. Subject the fans to the Derby and then the game, and you're asking them to commit seven hours to baseball programming over two consecutive nights. Your hardcore fan will do it, but that is too much for the casual fan. Give the players five outs a round instead of ten.

 

I don't pay attention to this thing any more. It's much more fun when you're younger. Hell, I haven't even watched the ASG itself since 2003.

 

10. Cut back on Commercialism

 

I can live with outfield advertisements. But the entire evening should not be an infomercial for Century 21 and Mastercard.

 

 

This is really unavoidable, I just accept it by now and move on.

[Dobbs 3K 0]

Ending the representation rule would be a big middle finger to smaller market teams like the Royals and Devil Rays. As a Brewers fan, there were many years where I only tuned in to see someone like Paul Molitor, Dan Plesac, or Geoff Jenkins as the sole representative of the team I followed. Yeah I know that "this is supposed to be about the best players" but every fan should get the chance to see at least one of their guys playing in the All Star Game.

 

I do agree about toning down the commercialism, though it will never happen. I'm sure a lot of that has to do with FOX more than MLB.

[sfaJack 0]

If that is the case, then the solution is to take the TV rights away from Fox. Then the fans REALLY win big!

 

On the ASG, the only substantive change I would make like to see is that the voted starters must play at least five full innings or make 3 plate appearances. Those are the guys that the fans want to see and since the ASG is entirely for the fans, they should get to see those guys.

 

As an addendum to that, if you're voted to start the game, you MUST play. Injury replacements on the roster are only allowed for guys that are on the DL going into the Break.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

I think they should also tour the stadiums around the country before quickly awarding the ASG to a new park which has been going on lately, wether those parks suck or not. Every town should get a shot to host before some of these new stadiums, such as Pittsburgh, get 2 within a little more than a decade of eachother.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Ending the representation rule would be a big middle finger to smaller market teams like the Royals and Devil Rays. As a Brewers fan, there were many years where I only tuned in to see someone like Paul Molitor, Dan Plesac, or Geoff Jenkins as the sole representative of the team I followed. Yeah I know that "this is supposed to be about the best players" but every fan should get the chance to see at least one of their guys playing in the All Star Game.

 

I do agree about toning down the commercialism, though it will never happen. I'm sure a lot of that has to do with FOX more than MLB.

I only advocate ending the rule along with cutting back the roster. 16 teams with a 25 man roster just isn't feasible. If the rosters are at 25, then I see no problem maintaining the rule. I would only hope they give it to the best player and not just a middle reliever.

 

If that is the case, then the solution is to take the TV rights away from Fox. Then the fans REALLY win big!

 

On the ASG, the only substantive change I would make like to see is that the voted starters must play at least five full innings or make 3 plate appearances. Those are the guys that the fans want to see and since the ASG is entirely for the fans, they should get to see those guys.

 

As an addendum to that, if you're voted to start the game, you MUST play. Injury replacements on the roster are only allowed for guys that are on the DL going into the Break.

I agree with the starters' rule.

 

I think they should also tour the stadiums around the country before quickly awarding the ASG to a new park which has been going on lately, wether those parks suck or not. Every town should get a shot to host before some of these new stadiums, such as Pittsburgh, get 2 within a little more than a decade of eachother.

Agreed. St. Louis hasn't hosted the game since '66, which boggles me.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

Once you host an ASG, you should have to wait 30 years to get another one, if you get a new park or not. Hell, they could go in alphabetical order by city/state name if they want to get really into it.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Once you host an ASG, you should have to wait 30 years to get another one, if you get a new park or not. Hell, they could go in alphabetical order by city/state name if they want to get really into it.

You don't need a hard rule. The real problem is that Pittsburgh got the All-Star game primarily to boost season ticket sales. That shouldn't happen.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

It doesn't have to be that strict, but when you have a town like St. Louis who hasn't had the game in 41 years, something has to change. There is currently no rhyme or reason as to who hosts when.

[Guest George's Box]

Yes there is: build a new park, and we'll show it off. Sure, it's a racket, but there is some rhyme and reason to it. That's why the AL got passed over this year in favor of San Francisco: they just haven't built as many new parks in the AL recently. (However, I do think Angel Stadium, with its extensive renovations in '97, make it a viable candidate for New Park To Show Off from the junior circuit.) I don't see a problem with showcasing the new parks in S.F., Pittsburgh, Detroit, Houston, the south side (13 years old but they had been improving the place at the time), Milwaukee, and Seattle. Don't worry about St. Louis; their moment will come.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Yes there is: build a new park, and we'll show it off. Sure, it's a racket, but there is some rhyme and reason to it. That's why the AL got passed over this year in favor of San Francisco: they just haven't built as many new parks in the AL recently. (However, I do think Angel Stadium, with its extensive renovations in '97, make it a viable candidate for New Park To Show Off from the junior circuit.) I don't see a problem with showcasing the new parks in S.F., Pittsburgh, Detroit, Houston, the south side (13 years old but they had been improving the place at the time), Milwaukee, and Seattle. Don't worry about St. Louis; their moment will come.

 

I'd be as happy if the U.S. Cell never got an ASG again. Terrible park. Just terrible.

[Guest George's Box]

I've never been there, but it seems like it'd just be middle-of-the-road at best. First of all, it's in a shitty neighborhood, surrounded by Reinsdorf-controlled parking lots, which wipes out any sort of lively ballpark district you could want. The park itself seems to be a little better now that they've scaled back the horrible upper deck, changed the seats from blue to dark green, and added the kid deck, but it's always seemed like a lifeless park to me, too dependent on piped-in AC/DC (they need more Nancy Faust) and other audio-visual commands to clap your hands and make some noise and all that nonsense. Old Comiskey Park seemed pretty neat, though, with the wraparound grandstand and the creative groundskeeping.

 

I was at Miller Park earlier this month, and while there were some aspects that I liked (such as my kick-ass tenth row behind home plate seats), I wasn't blown away by the gestalt of the whole experience. The parking lot is roughly the size of a small suburb, and you have to cross two bridges to get in, one over the highway, the other over a nature trail. Once in the building, it's just pretty much a sports facility, though there were a few neat-but-unremarkable murals and so forth. During the game, there were way too many a/v distractions, like the much-loathed ev-ry-buh-dy-clap-your-hands, and other various ribbon-board shenanigans. Sausage Race was fun (I picked Polish, but I think Hot Dog won), but then they played that stupid Beer Barrel Polka that I didn't enjoy playing during homecoming pep rallies, and still don't like now. I imagine that Miller and Comiskey are similar.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Yeah old Comiskey was far superior. Another "bleh" park is Petco. While the park itself seems pretty neat, where it's located in San Diego (right next to this huge trolley depot and where most of the downtown homeless people would live), it doesn't exactly look that inviting.

[Guest George's Box]

Aw, yer killin' me. I always thought Petco was one of the better new parks: architecturally, it's not a contrived Neo-Retro affair, the Western Metal building was a nice touch, and the picnic field beyond right-center seems nice, but I guess if it's on a bad piece of real estate, then what can you do.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Speaking of PetCo, I like the spot down in the left field corner where you can stand behind the fence on the field. I kinda found it by accident when I was wandering through the team store. Pretty neat catching some BP from that perspective. Mike Lieberthal (I *think* it was him) tossed me a ball!

[Dobbs 3K 0]

that stupid Beer Barrel Polka

 

Blasphemy.

[Failed Bridge 0]

As far as homerun derby goes I'd just like to see guys in it that can absolutely crush the ball. Wily Mo Pena might not be a great everyday player but he could really entertain in a homerun derby competition. My derby this year would be

 

Wily Mo Pena

Jack Cust

A-Rod

Matt Holliday

Barry Bonds

Prince Fielder

 

All guys that can probably drive it 500 feet in a BP session.