MLB Off-Topic

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Its more that we are so ignorant of the details of this weekend that to react strongly without more information is completely unjustified. The way fans react to anything as if the game is THEIR game and no one else's is infinitely more damaging to the sport than anything Manfred could do, and if it's going to be said that someone is creating a negative perception of the game, it's the fans blowing up minor things as if they are catastrophic and embarrassing the fanbase at large.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

LOL, I don't think fan(atic)s having strong opinions about seemingly minor things is in any way damaging to the sport. If anything it might be the opposite. Of all the things in this country we're divided about (basically everything, sadly), that spirit of divisiveness tends to work best in sports fandom because you can channel that energy against rivals in a [hopefully] civil and relatively innocuous manner. Fans are always going to be unreasonable and territorial. The trick is to keep debates civil, which can be elusive at times although this subforum does a pretty good job of doing so.

That said, yes, we'll wait and see what the deal is with the whole casual weekend. I am done talking about it. Promise.

[Sportsforever]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Its more that we are so ignorant of the details of this weekend that to react strongly without more information is completely unjustified. The way fans react to anything as if the game is THEIR game and no one else's is infinitely more damaging to the sport than anything Manfred could do, and if it's going to be said that someone is creating a negative perception of the game, it's the fans blowing up minor things as if they are catastrophic and embarrassing the fanbase at large.

Who has reacted strongly? So expressing that you don't love something is reacting strongly? I did a quick google search and the overwhelming response to this has been positive (only found one meh article). Even in this thread I wouldn't say anyone has reacted strongly...

Finally...if it's not the fan's game...whose is it?

[kehlis]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Its more that we are so ignorant of the details of this weekend that to react strongly without more information is completely unjustified. The way fans react to anything as if the game is THEIR game and no one else's is infinitely more damaging to the sport than anything Manfred could do, and if it's going to be said that someone is creating a negative perception of the game, it's the fans blowing up minor things as if they are catastrophic and embarrassing the fanbase at large.

Fans not liking something like this is embarrassing the fanbase? That's quite a reach.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I could careless. Its still baseball. I don't care what the players are wearing, what's on the back of the jerseys, nor do I care about the reasons as to why they are doing this.

At the end of the day, they are still playing the game of baseball. And that's all I care about.

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

LOL, I don't think fan(atic)s having strong opinions about seemingly minor things is in any way damaging to the sport. If anything it might be the opposite. Of all the things in this country we're divided about (basically everything, sadly), that spirit of divisiveness tends to work best in sports fandom because you can channel that energy against rivals in a [hopefully] civil and relatively innocuous manner. Fans are always going to be unreasonable and territorial. The trick is to keep debates civil, which can be elusive at times although this subforum does a pretty good job of doing so.

That said, yes, we'll wait and see what the deal is with the whole casual weekend. I am done talking about it. Promise.

Fans making it seem like everything happening in their sport is the next step into the apocalypse is damaging I would say. Even what you said I don't agree with. People come in casual, not with conversation about whether or not intentional walks need to be pitched or can be done by signal.

Who has reacted strongly? So expressing that you don't love something is reacting strongly? I did a quick google search and the overwhelming response to this has been positive (only found one meh article). Even in this thread I wouldn't say anyone has reacted strongly...

Finally...if it's not the fan's game...whose is it?

Strongly as in, really anything more than just a "hmm... we'll see" because we have no idea what is even going on. The response is overwhelmingly positive outside of here...which shows it might be the fans' game, but that might also mean for some, it isn't their game. I meant it was no one person's game, I thought that was clear. But in reality, it is the owner's game, and just like Wal-Mart, we are customers. It's actually not the fan's game lol, so I'm kind of glad you made that point. It's only up to us whether or not we choose to shop here.

Fans not liking something like this is embarrassing the fanbase? That's quite a reach.

I don't think it's a reach to say people on the outside looking in would see people reacting to this with negativity and thinking any number of things.

[Sportsforever]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Strongly as in, really anything more than just a "hmm... we'll see" because we have no idea what is even going on. The response is overwhelmingly positive outside of here...which shows it might be the fans' game, but that might also mean for some, it isn't their game. I meant it was no one person's game, I thought that was clear. But in reality, it is the owner's game, and just like Wal-Mart, we are customers. It's actually not the fan's game lol, so I'm kind of glad you made that point. It's only up to us whether or not we choose to shop here.

Well, I don't even need more info...based on what we've been told FOR ME it's pointless. Not something I would ever ask for...I'm not saying it's the end of the world, shouldn't happen, etc, but it's just not what I watch baseball for. I don't think that's a "strong response"...it's just an honest one.

I disagree about the game not being the fan's game, however. In some ways you are correct...but at the end of the day if people suddenly stopped caring about baseball, MLB would cease to exist as we know it and the owners/players wouldn't matter one bit.

Look, it will be interesting to see what they roll out...if something like this brings in one fan, then great. At least it raises money for a good cause.

[kehlis]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I don't think it's a reach to say people on the outside looking in would see people reacting to this with negativity and thinking any number of things.

Do you really think people on "the outside looking in" care about the fans?

I mean seriously, most baseball fans don't even know this is going to happen. Do you really think non baseball fans are going to catch any wind of negative reaction to something like this and then on top of it care?

[CMH]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I wish I could remember the recent article I read about how and why the NBA is gaining new fans but MLB is struggling to.

It mentioned how the NBA markets the players while MLB markets the teams. But the issue is because baseball is so regional, MLB is essentially marketing to the fans already watching their favorite team.

It was an interesting take. I know there's a strange belief that the NBA and NFL hurt their leagues but revenue and attendance figures say otherwise.

I still believe MLB needs to do better to advertise their players.

Or, just accept that baseball is regional and move on.

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[DieHardYankee26]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Well, I don't even need more info...based on what we've been told FOR ME it's pointless. Not something I would ever ask for...I'm not saying it's the end of the world, shouldn't happen, etc, but it's just not what I watch baseball for. I don't think that's a "strong response"...it's just an honest one.

I disagree about the game not being the fan's game, however. In some ways you are correct...but at the end of the day if people suddenly stopped caring about baseball, MLB would cease to exist as we know it and the owners/players wouldn't matter one bit.

Look, it will be interesting to see what they roll out...if something like this brings in one fan, then great. At least it raises money for a good cause.

That may not have been one of the strong responses I was referring to.

It's not realistic to think all of the fans would leave, but they can certainly afford to lose you or I as a fan. In the event that they pick up a kid who sees somebody hit a home run with flashy cleats they'd be offset. I think we as fans individually believe we hold too much power. I don't think this will have any impact so in the event that someone leaves thinking they're the leader of a movement, I just don't think it would work out that way.

I think the point though is that this is for the players. They wanted it, and they got it. I'd imagine guys like Bryce campaigned for this and want to show off a little bit, should be fun.

Do you really think people on "the outside looking in" care about the fans?

I mean seriously, most baseball fans don't even know this is going to happen. Do you really think non baseball fans are going to catch any wind of negative reaction to something like this and then on top of it care?

As far as caring about the fans, I know a lot of people who dislike baseball because of who they think the game (or the attitude and air around it) reflects or caters to. Whether or not outsiders would catch wind would really depend on how much life people give the story I guess.

[Sportsforever]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

That may not have been one of the strong responses I was referring to.

It's not realistic to think all of the fans would leave, but they can certainly afford to lose you or I as a fan. In the event that they pick up a kid who sees somebody hit a home run with flashy cleats they'd be offset. I think we as fans individually believe we hold too much power. I don't think this will have any impact so in the event that someone leaves thinking they're the leader of a movement, I just don't think it would work out that way.

I think the point though is that this is for the players. They wanted it, and they got it. I'd imagine guys like Bryce campaigned for this and want to show off a little bit, should be fun.

See, that's the problem...Bryce Harper's generation is this whole group of entitled "look at me" players for even wanting something like this.

Spoiler

JK...admit it, you were about to bring the flame thrower

[dubcity]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

It mentioned how the NBA markets the players while MLB markets the teams. But the issue is because baseball is so regional, MLB is essentially marketing to the fans already watching their favorite team.

Truth. This also partially explains why World Series ratings are down big over the past 10 years. I think regional cable channels airing every single local team game has had an effect. Whereas before you might only get a few local games a week, and then the nationally televised games on the weekends, now you can get more than your fill of baseball by just watching your local team every single day.

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

The more I think about the more I feel we just have to accept that it's regional and stop complaining that they aren't marketing the stars. The thing with the NBA is it's easy to say come tune in and watch LeBron drop 30, he's going to do that 9 nights out of 10. But in the MLB, you can tell people to tune in to Trout, he might be in a 2 week slump. You can advertise the hell out of a Bryce-Bryzzo matchup, and have combine to go 0-13. There's just not enough guarantees in baseball to do it. And the thing I think that seals it for me is the idea that the height was 98, when it was damn near a guarantee that Big Mac or Sammy were going to go deep on any given night. It's hard to build those kind of stories to draw casuals in, but us hardcore fans create those stories ourselves by watching the games day in and day out. I'm not sure what they can do about it honestly.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I'm okay with it being a regional sport because I saw what happened with the product when other leagues decided players were more important than teams and officiated and promoted and prioritized accordingly.

[CMH]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I'm okay with it being a regional sport because I saw what happened with the product when other leagues decided players were more important than teams and officiated and promoted and prioritized accordingly.

Revenue and interest increased in the NBA.

I think that's something every league would desire.

Basketball gets the same complaints from guys that think it's ruined but they come back for more and keep watching.

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