Lose of African American player's in Baseball?

Question

I just read an article on Jackie R, and the decline of African Americans in BB. I have an answer for it and no I dont believe it has to do with money. I believe it has more to do with people being drafted from countries like Japan, Korea, DMR, and Venzuela. Personally I dont care where you come from. But If your good your good. and if your from a foreign country and your talented then come and play. Idont know how well scouts look at american players but I can say there are alot in the minors.

Answer 1

I agree with the points you make. I mean talented athletes WILL be discovered, and because they mean money and profits to professional teams, they will play. So there is a decline in Black baseball players. Big deal!! Was and is it racism when the number of white players declines because of the increase in Latino, Black, or Asian players?? NONSENSE!!

Chow!!

Answer 2

I read the article and I don't buy the basic premise. Obviously the author never heard of the city game which is regularly played on well maintained asphalt paved school yards with high fences around them. So if a kid wants to play baseball he can and maybe develop some really fast reaction times in the process.
No, I think that the reason that black kids are opting for basketball and football over baseball is that they ask themselves "Where am I going to be 3-4 years after I graduate high school ?" If they play basketball or football they will have a definitive answer and possibly a college degree by then .If they play baseball, who knows ?
They could hang around the minors until their mid to late 20's and maybe never make the majors.

Answer 3

it all has to do with money.

i'd assume the biggest factor as to why has something to do with college. most colleges spend their sports money on football and basketball since those are the 2 sports where they make money back. most people would rather go to college cheaper (or free in some cases) and play a popular sport than pay full price to go to school and get stuck with a sport that your school doesnt care about. how often is college baseball on television compared to basketball or football? you'll see 20 games for each of those sports for every 1 baseball game.
aside from that the minor leagues have a lot to do with it as well. most people would rather be making millions in the pro's right out of college than thousands a year for 5 years in the minors. most of the guys who play in the minors won't even make it to the majors. so your risking more by choosing baseball over the other sports.
another factor is sponsorship. how many basketball players have commercials or advertisements for their own shoe? that's extra money basketball players can make over a baseball player.

the mlb is picking up guys from countries like japan, korea, and the dominican republic because in those countries baseball is the more popular sport. so kids spend their time playing baseball instead of a combination of 3 or 4 sports.

essentially the problem here in the states is they're having kids make a life decision before they are ready. most of these high school kids have dreams of being rich and famous, thats more likely to happen in football or basketball than it is in baseball.

Answer 4

Its hard to answer this question without going into several factors.
Economics: The majority of professional athletes come from a low middle class family or higher. Because families such as this have more expendable income to support the childs interest.
From a city approach, it is easier to build a small basketball court than it is a baseball field. Football fields are often used as well for other sports, such as soccer. Which become youth sport complexes as opposed to specializing toward baseball.
From a managerial stand point it is easier to piece together 3 on 3, 4 on 4, and 5 on 5 basketball leagues than putting together baseball leagues. A traditional youth baseball team starts with 13 or 14 players per team. Some would argue it takes far more to put together a football team. This is true, but Americans are far more interested in the sport of Football as it has become America's game. Pop Warner, and other well sponsored youth football leagues have garnered higher publicity and personal interest.

High School Athletics: It was debated about why American Soccer does not compare to European. The reason was surmized that a majority of athletes were promoted and scouted to play Football or basketball. Leaving several other sports to compete for the "left overs". The same applies to baseball.
If you want a sport to succeed then show up and support the game and its players. Swim meets, Soccer, Baseball, Tennis, High School Wrestling are not nearly as promoted in school as Football. Although some regional support does vary.

Its true that it is cheaper to promote the game of Baseball in other countries. Such as the Latin American countries, in which the foreign exchange favors scouting such areas. Baseball in Japan is taken very seriously, as if it were in the early 1900's and late 1800's of the U.S.

Education of Baseball: To learn the game you have to play the game. Hopefully you will have good coaches available to teach the game at all levels. Pitching for example takes a lot of developement and only at certain ages do you teach certain pitches. This is one example meant to express why it takes years of dedication before a child can develop into a well matured baseball player. It takes focus, determination, and years of training your body before you will be ready to play the game at a professional level. Not always will there be coaches, nor leagues to compete and hone the skill of players.

Answer 5

Interesting point, but I don't think that has anything to do with it. Most black people come from poor families and poor people can't afford to play other sports as easily as they can afford to play basketball. After all, you just need a ball and a hoop, no pads, mitt or bats. Plus, football and especially basketball have had marketing campaigns promoting their best black players which appeals to black youth. I've never seen baseball promote a black player the way Michael Jordan or Shaquille O'Neill have been promoted. Plus, baseball is considered and promoted as the "Great American Pastime." Well, most blacks consider themselves outsiders in America because although they can't or won't see it or admit it, that's how most white people treat them. As such, they see baseball as a "white sport."

A lot of people will give me a thumbs down on this because they are not open-minded enough to consider the possibility that racism in America by white people is far more prevalent then they want to admit.

Answer 6

I honestly don't think that this is a big deal. What Jackie RObinson was fighting for was equal oppurtunity. He has achieved that. People may say that the lack of African Americans in baseball is a bad thing it really isn't because the opportunity for africans to play is there. Now if they don't want to play that's ok.

Answer 7

There are a lot of wonderful baseball players of African descent who were not born in the United States. Didn't the color barrier get broken for those players as well?

Answer 8

This is a huge deal. jackie would b erollin over in his grave if he knew that ther are very few african americans in hte league now

Answer 9

dont know,i guess you have to ask them.