Freakonomics on Baseball

[Lefty]

Apparently, baseball is too boring for a whole lot of people.  Some quality suggestions here, especially in the NYT comments (catchers getting 1 sign per pitch, 1-game series, etc...).  I guess the guys who are amazed at the novelty of the infield shift, ("even on a right handed batter"!) didn't watch much of a certain Houston first baseman, or much baseball at all for that matter.

http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/28/ideas-for-making-baseball-more-interesting/

and

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120907935062743195.html

[T. J.]

Apparently, baseball is too boring for a whole lot of people.  Some quality suggestions here, especially in the NYT comments (catchers getting 1 sign per pitch, 1-game series, etc...).  I guess the guys who are amazed at the novelty of the infield shift, ("even on a right handed batter"!) didn't watch much of a certain Houston first baseman, or much baseball at all for that matter.

http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/28/ideas-for-making-baseball-more-interesting/

and

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120907935062743195.html

My idea doesn't have anything to do with the game itself, but rather how it is televised.  Now that most games are broadcast in widescreen HD, I'd like to see the games televised from a point of view behind the catcher where you could see the game from George and Barbara's seat view.  You miss so much action on TV when your view is limited to the pitcher and catcher.

[JimR]

yawn

[EasTexAstro]

Maybe it is just me, but it seems like, in 1968, if the World Series was on, you only had a couple of other channels to watch if you weren't interested. Sure, there were still other things to do, but a declining share doesn't mean people are losing interest in baseball necessarily.

[pravata]

Maybe it is just me, but it seems like, in 1968, if the World Series was on, you only had a couple of other channels to watch if you weren't interested. Sure, there were still other things to do, but a declining share doesn't mean people are losing interest in baseball necessarily.

Baseball made $6 billion last year.  2007 Attendance set the record.  There are teams that are already sold out for the entire 2008 season.   Why in the hell does someone who does not like baseball feel the need to tell the industry how to "improve".  Shut up and wait for football season.