Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

[mgoblue]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

How's this different from the Canada Cup/World Cup of Hockey? It started out as a made-up event before the NHL season to make money for the player's union. You can't tell me Canadians don't care about it.

Japan takes their major leagues seriously, yet they're into it. Their opening-round games against Korea were getting Super Bowl-type ratings. The Caribbean nations are obviously onboard.

Baseball's needed a true international tournament for years. I'd prefer it to be in the Olympics, but that's never going to happen, so I'm happy that the WBC exists.

I don't disagree, but like wwharton said, you can't expect people to care right away. I think part of it for me is that I'm not a massive fan of baseball itself...I enjoy watching, but it's far from my favorite sport. At the same point I really enjoy world soccer (world cup, Euro, WC qualifying), so I see how world level sports is good.

It's just hard for me to go from nothing to "Wooooo, go USA, the WBC is awesome". Passion is something that grows with time...you can't force that on someone like a "Hallmark holiday".

It does suck that the timing of this is horrific. I think any time other than spring training would be better. Hell, find awesome climates and play over the winter...I don't know, just isn't working for me. Along with the fact that since I don't get MLB Network in HD it's not easy to watch. Kinda goes along with the NHL on VS. originally....it's tough to get in people's hearts when they don't have a clue you're on (and with the NCAA tourney starting my sports watching time will really move towards that)...

[wwharton]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

I don't disagree, but like wwharton said, you can't expect people to care right away. I think part of it for me is that I'm not a massive fan of baseball itself...I enjoy watching, but it's far from my favorite sport. At the same point I really enjoy world soccer (world cup, Euro, WC qualifying), so I see how world level sports is good.

It's just hard for me to go from nothing to "Wooooo, go USA, the WBC is awesome". Passion is something that grows with time...you can't force that on someone like a "Hallmark holiday".

It does suck that the timing of this is horrific. I think any time other than spring training would be better. Hell, find awesome climates and play over the winter...I don't know, just isn't working for me. Along with the fact that since I don't get MLB Network in HD it's not easy to watch. Kinda goes along with the NHL on VS. originally....it's tough to get in people's hearts when they don't have a clue you're on (and with the NCAA tourney starting my sports watching time will really move towards that)...

I think that's the PERFECT solution for American interest. Even going up against the might NFL is a better idea than spring training and March Madness.

[RunN1st]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

If I'm honest with myself, I care more about the A's than I do about the USA team. I'm not saying it's right, that's just how I feel.

[CoRruPt-]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

I understand that this event only comes around every two years and I have 81 Dodger games to choose from, so the demand is different.....but $55 for a WBC game.

It's every 4 years. The next WBC is in 2013.

But I understand what you mean, MLB is really shooting itself in the foot on this one.

[Pared]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

I don't disagree, but like wwharton said, you can't expect people to care right away. I think part of it for me is that I'm not a massive fan of baseball itself...I enjoy watching, but it's far from my favorite sport. At the same point I really enjoy world soccer (world cup, Euro, WC qualifying), so I see how world level sports is good.

It's just hard for me to go from nothing to "Wooooo, go USA, the WBC is awesome". Passion is something that grows with time...you can't force that on someone like a "Hallmark holiday".

It does suck that the timing of this is horrific. I think any time other than spring training would be better. Hell, find awesome climates and play over the winter...I don't know, just isn't working for me. Along with the fact that since I don't get MLB Network in HD it's not easy to watch. Kinda goes along with the NHL on VS. originally....it's tough to get in people's hearts when they don't have a clue you're on (and with the NCAA tourney starting my sports watching time will really move towards that)...

Which is fine and all... and that's understood by some. But people shouldn't take offense then when someone says X country cares more about the sport because of their turnout. If you care, show up. People can show up to spring training games just as easily as this and actually see MAJOR LEAGUE PLAYERS in a tournament of solid baseball as opposed to young kids trying to live the dream.

And if you don't care and don't want to show up, don't take offense when people call you on it. That's all Youk did. And he didn't even do it in a negative way, just mentioned he's troubled by it.

[DrJones]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

Along with the fact that since I don't get MLB Network in HD it's not easy to watch. Kinda goes along with the NHL on VS. originally....it's tough to get in people's hearts when they don't have a clue you're on (and with the NCAA tourney starting my sports watching time will really move towards that)...

Oddly enough, it's been much easier to follow the WBC in Canada. Sportsnet has shown every single game live, even the middle-of-the-night games from the Asian bracket.

[DrJones]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

Which is fine and all... and that's understood by some. But people shouldn't take offense then when someone says X country cares more about the sport because of their turnout. If you care, show up. People can show up to spring training games just as easily as this and actually see MAJOR LEAGUE PLAYERS in a tournament of solid baseball as opposed to young kids trying to live the dream.

And if you don't care and don't want to show up, don't take offense when people call you on it. That's all Youk did. And he didn't even do it in a negative way, just mentioned he's troubled by it.

Not quite as easy, as several have mentioned that the ticket prices have been jacked for the WBC. If the MLB wants this to gain acceptance in the US, one way would be to make it affordable and forgo the quick buck.

[bkrich83]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

I'll be honest, I could care less about the WBC, and just hope an injury to a key player doesn't affect the MLB season.

[Pared]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

Not quite as easy, as several have mentioned that the ticket prices have been jacked for the WBC. If the MLB wants this to gain acceptance in the US, one way would be to make it affordable and forgo the quick buck.

I can agree with that. Would make more sense to sell 50,000 tickets at a slightly lower price than the typical what? 20-30,000 they are selling now?

[brendanrfoley]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

I admit, I didn't enjoy the WBC four years ago. It's a different story this year.

The quality of baseball being played is better, and it doesn't hurt that the US team continues to advance. In due time, the WBC will gain the support it deserves.

[Trevytrev11]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

I can agree with that. Would make more sense to sell 50,000 tickets at a slightly lower price than the typical what? 20-30,000 they are selling now?

Concessions alone would more than make up for any lost ticket revenue.

Still not sure why they chose Florida ( I do get SD). Who thought it was a good idea to choose the worst market in the country for baseball attendance to host a baseball tournament? Baseball can be played in domes. Move the games to bigger markets whose fans actually show up to support baseball on a regular basis. Weather doesn't have to be a determinng factor.

The way I see it is if it was in my home town, I would go see it, I'm not going to go travel to watch a team that seems to not take itself seriously. If I know when it is going to be on TV, I will watch it, but it's on a channel I don't frequently watch, so the only time I happen to watch is when I catch it flipping through the channels and nothing else is on.

[Trevytrev11]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

Just curious... who are the best players that didn't get invited or didn't want to play?

For Pitchers:

Sabathia instead of Ted Lilly woud have been nice

CY Young Winner Tim Lincecum...would have been a great chance for him to get a ton of national attention.

Brandon Webb, Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, John Lester, Papplebon, Lidge, Nathan.

For hitters:

Ryan Howard, Sizemore, Texiera, Longoria, Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, Markakis

------------------------

It's hard to get pumped up to me because it doesn't seem like its a big deal to the players. It seems like exhibition games and the players for the most part are just going through the motions. Hell, the manager left Peavey in to get some work in after getting knocked around in their loss. The game winning celebration was nice the other night, but had they lost that game, I don't think they would have been too heart broken. Most probably would have been just as happy to get back to their regular teams.

The fact that players turn down invitations to play shows you where it ranks on their priority list, but who can blame them? The timing is bad for them and they can't afford to risk any type of injury.

[wwharton]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

Concessions alone would more than make up for any lost ticket revenue.

Still not sure why they chose Florida ( I do get SD). Who thought it was a good idea to choose the worst market in the country for baseball attendance to host a baseball tournament? Baseball can be played in domes. Move the games to bigger markets whose fans actually show up to support baseball on a regular basis. Weather doesn't have to be a determinng factor.

The way I see it is if it was in my home town, I would go see it, I'm not going to go travel to watch a team that seems to not take itself seriously. If I know when it is going to be on TV, I will watch it, but it's on a channel I don't frequently watch, so the only time I happen to watch is when I catch it flipping through the channels and nothing else is on.

Honestly, Florida is a great choice for the WBC considering how many fans from multiple quality teams will go out and watch. Really, why else would you pick Florida? It wasn't for the US or it'd be NYC or how about some international games in a traditional stadium like Boston, or town like Chicago? Florida wasn't chosen for the US and that should tell Youk even more than the number of US fans that showed up.

[Trevytrev11]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

Honestly, Florida is a great choice for the WBC considering how many fans from multiple quality teams will go out and watch. Really, why else would you pick Florida?

Why even have it in the US? I'm sure the turnouts would be a helluva lot more if they played the games in Puerto Rico or Venezuela, where the home country citizens could root their team on. As far as American fans, they picked the worst possible MLB city.

Round 2 in Florida has had an avg. attendance of 16,614. San Diego only 11,611. The highest rated game attended game was Venezuela vs. Puerto Rico with 25,599. (The other three, which all included the US average 13,619).You have to believe in a better market, every game could draw that many people...or at least somewhere in between the average and the high.

If there goal is to maximize live exposure and revenues, they picked the worst possible place in Florida. It may be more equitable for the other countries citizens or fans, but in terms of pure numbers, it's rediculous.

It wasn't for the US or it'd be NYC or how about some international games in a traditional stadium like Boston, or town like Chicago? Florida wasn't chosen for the US and that should tell Youk even more than the number of US fans that showed up.

Unfortunately it's 30 - 40 degrees outside in New York, Boston and Chicago this time of year. Your not going to draw a lot of casual fans to the stadium when it's bitter cold outside to watch baseball during football weather and you're probably not going to lure a lot of players to leave spring training in sunny Arizona and Florida to go play in the cold north east this time of year.

Houston would seem like an ideal choice. I believe it's the 4th largest market and you have a dome stadium downtown. Last week was in the 40's, this week is in the mid 70's. So either way it would be perfect weather. Milwaukee and Arizona are the other domed stadiums that were in the top half of the league in attendance....everywhere else you risk bad weather this time of year.

At least pick a city where the fans come out and watch the home team that actually plays there.

[wwharton]

Re: Kevin Youkilis speaks out on American W.B.C support

Why even have it in the US? I'm sure the turnouts would be a helluva lot more if they played the games in Puerto Rico or Venezuela, where the home country citizens could root their team on. As far as American fans, they picked the worst possible MLB city.

Round 2 in Florida has had an avg. attendance of 16,614. San Diego only 11,611. The highest rated game attended game was Venezuela vs. Puerto Rico with 25,599. (The other three, which all included the US average 13,619).You have to believe in a better market, every game could draw that many people...or at least somewhere in between the average and the high.

If there goal is to maximize live exposure and revenues, they picked the worst possible place in Florida. It may be more equitable for the other countries citizens or fans, but in terms of pure numbers, it's rediculous.



Unfortunately it's 30 - 40 degrees outside in New York, Boston and Chicago this time of year. Your not going to draw a lot of casual fans to the stadium when it's bitter cold outside to watch baseball during football weather and you're probably not going to lure a lot of players to leave spring training in sunny Arizona and Florida to go play in the cold north east this time of year.

Houston would seem like an ideal choice. I believe it's the 4th largest market and you have a dome stadium downtown. Last week was in the 40's, this week is in the mid 70's. So either way it would be perfect weather. Milwaukee and Arizona are the other domed stadiums that were in the top half of the league in attendance....everywhere else you risk bad weather this time of year.

At least pick a city where the fans come out and watch the home team that actually plays there.

It has to be somewhere in the US b/c we created it if I'm not mistaken. If it weren't for that, I'd agree with you, don't have it in the US at all. So the question is where should it be. From a US-centric point of view, it should be in Milwaukee or Arizona. You're right about NY and Boston but I just used those as examples... your examples are better but I was making the same point. It wasn't put in Florida to get American fans. It was put there to get fans of as many teams as possible. The WBC isn't really geared towards American fans. If it lasts for a while, we'll embrace it eventually. But Youkalis is pointing his disappointed finger in the wrong direction.