Why do you think the number of black players in Major League Baseball has declined?

Question

Black players dominate football and basketball while their numbers in baseball have declined.

Answer 1

Because more black youth have chosen football and basketball OVER baseball. Those sports have become more attractive to black athletes. Baseball has become an afterthought for many young black athletes, because they see LeBron and Kobe (basketball), or Michael Vick and Terrell Owens (football), and want to play those sports instead.

Another reason for the decline in number of black baseball players is the rise of the Latino baseball player. Over 30% of baseball players (all levels major and minor) today are of Latino origin. Include the recent influx of Asian players, and there are also less spots for black players to make teams.

Finally, name 5 Latino basketball players? Name 5 Asian football players? Most people can't do that. That's because to Latinos and Asians, baseball, not basketball or football, is the most important sport. To the African-American athlete, baseball is no longer most important.

Answer 2

there was actualy a big feature in espn about this... it has to do with the decline of the popularity of the sport at the high school and college level. Even at schools known for its large African American population struggles to get talented dedicated black players to play for their teams. Unfortuanetly, many African Americans are lower middle class to being in povertyt and the rising costs of baseball equipment does not help. Many schools provide football players with equipment and basketball all u need is a basketball and a hoop. Baseball requires multiple baseballs, a glove, a bat, and most of all a field, another thing many places lack are quality baseball fields in poorer neighborhoods.

Answer 3

There is a lack of safe ballfields in inner city communities where more black people live. It takes a lot of open space to make a ballfield, and in most cities, the streets aren't so safe where you can't just play stickball on the block until sundown like back when my parents were growing up. That's why the MLB guys have the whole Urban Little League Initiative thing they advertise, to promote baseball in the inner city, and recruit black athletes away from traditional powerhouse sports football and basketball.

Answer 4

It hasn't declined. In the U.S. it has probably due to the fact that more African americans enjoy basketball or football over baseball. The majority of college baseball players are caucasian. The only way to get to the majors nowadays in america is by college. In other countries like the Domincan republic, Panama, and Cuba. Is where all the black players are coming from.

Answer 5

Baseball is harder to market in the black community as opposed to football, and basketball. There are many places where one can go play basketball, and for the most part one can also play football in the streets if necessary, theres not alot of spaces to play baseball in the urban neighborhoods so thats one explanation. Another could be its easier to sell a pair of MJ's than a pair of baseball cleats. If they can find a way to sell it in the community then the popularity would definitely rise again. I think those are two of the reasons.

Answer 6

Less interese probably plus many of the players favor football and basketball over baseball and some say there better paying than baseball.

Answer 7

To whoever said it hasn't declined you are wrong. ESPN has ran a few pieces on the decline. But I agree with whoever mentioned the "gangsta" factor. They're being more drawn to the more flashy sports like basketball and football, whereas they see baseball as much more slower and "boring" sport. Also one of the guys on ESPN mentioned girls and popularity as a factor as baseball is seen as a second tier sport in high school and college.

Answer 8

some human beings have reported the extra obtrusive issues - baseball is expensive, African individuals are turning to different activities, etc. i will upload yet another wrinkle. a sturdy form of the 1st black ballplayers got here from small cities contained in the south. those cities might have had a brilliant form of room for baseball fields. those days African individuals have become extra in all risk to stay in super city components as antagonistic to the smaller cities. And regrettably there are not the centers in place in enormous cities to play baseball. A baseball container takes up a brilliant form of room, and actual sources in those larger city centers is deemed to effectual for use for baseball fields. Baseball seems to think of it is the difficulty as properly, that's why they began the RBI software that some human beings have reported. whilst I comprehend that the share of ballplayers who're African American will probable on no account be on the comparable point it grow to be contained in the 60's and 70's, i think of you will see an improve in that share contained in the subsequent technology. rapid observe to the guy above who reported that the known black ballplayers weren't African American, yet black Latinos. Ever hear of Willie Mays? Barry Bonds? Hank Aaron? Frank Robinson? Ernie Banks? Bob Gibson? Willie McCovey? Billy Williams? Reggie Jackson? Prince Fielder? think of roughly those gamers and tell me lower back how all the known black ballplayers have been of Latin descent.

Answer 9

Basketball and football are enjoyed heavily by African-Americans. They focus on players like Kobe Bryant and Ladainian Tomlinson. Baseball is not attracting African-Americans as much.

Answer 10

Well just like the nightly news said today. It is because alot of the teams in the MB are going to players from different nations instead of new talent in the USA. Alot of kids are turning more towards football and basket ball.