Joe DiMaggio

Are you happy with how Major League baseball is today or not?

If not, then how would you change Major League Baseball. (rules,playoffs or changes that could better the league) star please

Public Comments

1. Baseball's in good shape right now. Attendance records are being set plus in their playoffs the best of the best make it. If you don't win your division, you're pretty much SOL unless you win the wildcard. However, they could always use some tweaking, here's how I'd do it. 1. Eliminate the DH. Make the pitcher bat. Both leagues should be playing by the same rules, right now it's like if the NFC only allowed the PAT and the AFC would be the only one doing two-point conversions. 2. Schedule at least 4-5 doubleheaders per team a year. And none of these day-night ones either. They're getting paid the same, why not do a little extra work once in a while. This way, they could actually start the season a week later instead of competing with March Madness. 3. Find a way to market more of your stars nationally. The only ones they really do that right now with is Jeter and A-rod. If Ryan Howard hadn't worn his uniform in his Subway spots would you have known who he was? Baseball has always done a poor job of marketing those big stars on a national level.
2. I feel that the first ALDS Series should be 7 games, rather than 5. I feel that it would make the series more of a fair judgement. - I am also a fan of instant replay.
3. I have no problem with the current state of baseball.
4. I would make major changes End DH Rule Expand and add 2 additional teams Set up the AL and NL divisions like the NFL 4 team divisions with 4 divisions in each league create balanced scheduling expand interleague play (more games) make all playoff series best of 7 shorten spring training by 1 week keep 162 game format expand instant replay to close calls at the bases
5. Not. It's all about the money!
6. David, Thanks for another stimulating question. The best change for baseball will never ever happen in our lifetimes, and that would be revenue sharing towards the NFL. Only by spreading the wealth can the league generate more competition across the board. Even now that the mighty Yankees have been eclipsed, it appears that Boston is the new "power house" in MLB and they have the ridiculous payroll to support this. How can small market teams like the Royals ever compete again? Sure, OUR Florida Marlins have won two World Series on youth and savvy roster changes, but ultimately MONEY is what makes team competitive, and teams that can only make one series appearance in a decade before flaming out are not helping the state of baseball. Let's only take a look a few years back, where the following teams made a single appearance and LOST (Rockies, Tigers, Astros, Giants, Mets and Padres). The Cardinals won during the past ten years, but only one out of two trips. Obviously, Boston won two this millennium, Florida won twice in six years, and the Yankees won three straight (but, they also lost two). Outside of this, only the White Sox and Anaheim won championships. Where is the disparity in the sport? Even strong teams like the Braves, Indians and Yankees have lost TWO World Series in the past thirteen years! So I say, where are the traditionally weak teams? I think that the aforementioned suggestion to create another division, and reduce them to four teams makes very good sense, as it allows for another two teams to enter the playoffs - where ANYTHING can happen! Just this year, Florida finished 3rd in the NL East, but could have won the division if positioned elsewhere! Although, this happens just about every year. Once again, I think that this could generate greater interest in the sport, especially for those teams on the brink of breaking through! Another common complaint is the DH rule, but this is another rule which I do not see changing. If you recall, the DH was introduced in the early 1970s to generate runs and increase interest in the sport, so to remove it now, would not make sense to those powerful AL owners who fought so long and hard to establish it as a rule! Speaking of the two leagues, I think that Inter-league play was a fantastic idea, and that the proportion of games is good. Ironically, most of these games are SOLD OUT, but if you increase the amount of these scheduled games, you would have to consider expanding the season to maintain "weight" for the league games! Lastly, I have swayed from one end of the spectrum to the other on this addition, but with the current use of replays, I feel that the game would be much better off WITHOUT it! Let's keep the human error element and keep the game length in consideration. IF we must rely on instant reply, then they must make adjustments to other aspects of the game (i.e., reduce the number of pitching changes - as the game in general is currently TOO LONG! and/or use reply ONLY during the PostSeason). Just my thoughts...thanks for stimulating those juices. Now, I think it's time for Philly to win another series, so Let's Go Phillies! :o) Peace.
7. No. 1. Let the players play. No more warnings from the umps. If a hitter shows up a pitcher or if a pitcher goes head hunting let the pitcher protect his players with a fastball to the ribs. 2. No more DH. Pitchers should be responsible for their spot in the lineup and DHs should need to be able to field a position. 3. Cut down on the # of interleague games. Its great to see the Bewers play the Twins but I am just not interested in seeing the nationals. 4. Switch rules in interleague. If the Brewers come to the Dome I want to see national league ball. When the twins go to milwaukee play with AL rules. 5. Permanently ban the wave. No eplanation needed. 6. Ban noisemaking devices. For example cowbells *glares at rays* I could think of more but thats enough.