Baseball
Related: About this forum'Swing-off'?
How long before this works its way into regular-seaon games, thus killing the drama and strategy of extra innings forever?
Why does MLB keep trying to "fix" something that had nothing wrong?

rsdsharp
(11,075 posts)batting practice.

ProfessorGAC
(73,639 posts)This was an exhibition game! Where is the value of extra innings in an exhibition game?
The biggest mistake was the overreaction Selig had when the ASG in Milwaukee ended in a tie.
Now, I think you're overreacting by suggesting this is anything more than a way to settle the All-Star game for which the win only impacts bragging rights.
Full Disclosure: since the game doesn't matter, I would end it after 9 innings and if it's tied, I'd let it end in a tie.
Oeditpus Rex
(42,106 posts)why even play it?
ProfessorGAC
(73,639 posts)And, if there were no all-star game, I wouldn't miss it.
I watched because it was on. If there was no game, I'd have watched something else.
So no, I don't think it matters except to MLB's bottom line.
Oeditpus Rex
(42,106 posts)I didn't think that was possible.
Before the average ballplayer made something like $3 million per year, proceeds from the All-Star Game went to the players' pension fund.
But now...
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Winning Team Bonus:
Players on the winning team of the All-Star Game each receive a $25,000 bonus.
Home Run Derby:
Players participating in the Home Run Derby can earn extra money, with the winner taking home $1 million, second place receiving $500,000, and other participants receiving $150,000. The player with the longest home run also gets an extra $100,000.
In-Game Interviews:
Players who agree to in-game interviews earn an additional $15,000.
Contract Bonuses:
Some players have clauses in their contracts that provide bonuses for making the All-Star team.
Other Incentives:
The MLB Players Association and MLB negotiate various incentives for players participating in the All-Star Game, such as the bonuses for being mic'd up.
The brunt of MLB'S income is from the broadcast rights currently owned by Fox. The amount for the All-Star Game alone isn't publicly specified, but Fox pays $729 million annually for all its Saturday games and the World Series. A hunk of that goes to the Players Association.
ProfessorGAC
(73,639 posts)You went a very long way to say it wasn't about money by providing financial information. All I said was the All-Star game was about money. The game meets the definition of exhibition game, as it is just a show for the money.
That's not cynicism. That's an obvious conclusion from knowing how big business works.
If MLB didn't get a premium from Fox for the game, they'd pit it out for bid.
If Fox doesn't get a return for the incremental price for the ASG, they would just buy the rights to those Saturday games.
It is obvious, with what networks have done to their news divisions, that major media doesn't do loss leaders.
And, since I think ASGs don't mean much in any sport, the only reason to have them is the cash they generate. Which is what I said.
Oeditpus Rex
(42,106 posts)because they're all about the money, and you don't care at all for minor-league baseball, which is most assuredly not about the money.
Sorry I provided what little financial detail I could find. Seems like it just got in your way.