Don’t Hate the Baseball Jersey, Hate the Game
A look at how the baseball jersey has become an American icon, and how it’s more than just a fashion statement.
The Ugly Truth About Baseball
The thing that makes baseball so different from other sports is that there is no clock. You can play for hours and hours, and the game will still be tied. This can be frustrating for fans, who feel like they’ve wasted their time if the game goes into extra innings.
The origins of baseball are murky
The origins of baseball are murky. Some say it was created by Abner Doubleday in 1839. Others say it is a variation of the English game of rounders. Whatever its origins, baseball has long been considered America’s national pastime.
Baseball jerseys have become a trendy fashion item in recent years. But some people see them as a symbol of everything that is wrong with America’s favorite pastime.
Baseball is often criticized for being slow-paced and boring. Some people say it is too complicated, with too many rules. They say it is a game that is more about statistics than skill. And they say it is a game that is controlled by rich team owners who are more interested in making money than in providing a good product for fans.
Whether you love or hate baseball, there is no denying that it is an important part of American culture. So the next time you see someone wearing a baseball jersey, take a moment to appreciate the history and tradition behind America’s national pastime.
The game is too long
One of the biggest complaints about baseball is that the games are too long. And it’s true, some games can drag on for hours. But there are ways to speed up the game without changing the rules. For example, MLB could institute a pitch clock, similar to what is used in Minor League Baseball. This would limit the amount of time a pitcher has between pitches, and would help to speed up the game. Another idea is to have a “runner on second base” rule for extra innings. This would prevent games from going on forever, and would make them more exciting to watch.
The bottom line is that baseball is a long game, but it doesn’t have to be. There are ways to speed up the game without changing the rules. And if MLB institutes these changes, it would make the games more enjoyable for everyone involved.
The players are overpaid
In recent years, baseball has been plagued by a number of problems. One of the most glaring is the issue of player salaries. It’s no secret that professional athletes are some of the highest-paid people in the world, and baseball players are no exception. In 2016, the average MLB salary was $4.4 million. That’s a lot of money for playing a game.
But it’s not just the average salary that’s high; it’s the salaries at the top end of the spectrum that are truly staggering. The highest-paid player in baseball, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, will make $33 million in 2018. That’s nearly eight times the average salary and more than most Americans will make in their entire lifetimes.
It’s not just that baseball players are paid a lot; it’s that they’re paid so much more than other athletes in other sports. For example, while Kershaw will be making $33 million this year, NBA star LeBron James will only be making $23 million. And while there are a few NBA players who make more than James, none of them come close to Kershaw’s salary. In fact, the second highest-paid player in baseball, Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, will make more than any NBA player this year with his $28 million salary.
What this all boils down to is that baseball players are simply overpaid relative to other athletes. It’s hard to justify such high salaries when you compare them to what other athletes are making in other sports. And it’s even harder to justify when you consider how little most Americans make in comparison. Baseball may be America’s pastime, but it’s time for the players to start getting paid like it’s America’s reality.
The Good Parts of Baseball
There are plenty of good things about baseball. The game is America’s pastime, and has been for generations. Baseball is a game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a game that is simple to understand, yet difficult to master. It is a game that can be played by anyone, regardless of size or strength. Baseball is a game that can be enjoyed by both spectators and participants.
The history of baseball is rich
Baseball has been around for a long time, and the history of the game is rich. From the early days of the game, when it was played by amateurs, to the modern era, when it is played by professionals, baseball has always been a popular sport. The early days of baseball were particularly exciting, as the game was still developing and evolving. Players were constantly experimenting with new techniques and strategies, and the game was constantly changing.
Baseball is often seen as a slow, boring sport. But it’s actually a great social activity. You can chat with the person next to you during the game, and there’s always time for a beer or hot dog break.
The players are some of the most talented athletes in the world
Whether you like baseball or not, you have to admit that the players are some of the most talented athletes in the world. They have to be able to hit a round object that is coming at them at over 90 miles per hour with a round bat. They also have to be able to run extremely fast, throw a round object very accurately, and catch a round object that is being thrown at them very quickly. Not many people can do all of those things.
How to Fix Baseball
Look, no one is denying that baseball is in a bit of trouble. MLB’s popularity is waning, especially among the young, and has been for some time. Too many games, not enough action, and a general feeling that the game is stuck in the past are just some of the issues. So, how can baseball be fixed?
Shorten the games
The typical nine-inning baseball game takes about two and a half hours to complete. But the average time of game has been on the rise in recent years, hitting a record 3:08 in 2017. That’s too long. Baseball games need to be shorter.
There are a few ways to shorten the game without impacting the integrity of the sport. One way is to limit each team to three outs per inning instead of four. Another way is to have a mercy rule where the game is called after seven innings if one team is ahead by 10 or more runs. Or, MLB could just stop being so stinkin’ obsessed with commercial breaks and let the games flow more freely.
Whatever the solution, baseball games need to be shorter. Two and a half hours is just too long for most people these days. Especially when there are so many other things competing for our attention.
Pay the players less
The players are the ones who sell the game and generate the revenue, so it only makes sense that they should be paid accordingly. Reducing player salaries would only serve to make the game less attractive to fans and would ultimately lead to less revenue for the owners.
Get rid of the designated hitter
The designated hitter was introduced in 1973 as a way to generate more offense and, as a result, more excitement. But it has done neither. In fact, it has had the opposite effect, turning baseball into a game of station-to-station baseball, with teams waiting for the three-run home run.
The designated hitter also alters the strategy of the game, taking away the need for managers to make difficult decisions about when to take their pitcher out of the game and when to pinch hit. As a result, games are often predictable and boring.
If we want to fix baseball, we need to get rid of the designated hitter and return the game to its rightful place as a thinking man’s sport.
