Expand the All-Star game?

Question

This is a two part question. First, I was wondering, since the All-Star game "means something", why not make it a best of 3 series? That way, all the players invited to the game (either by fan vote or by manager selection), would actually get a chance to play. And the world series home field advantage isn't decided because of a weird ricochet off of the wall in right center.

Second, I would love to see an expanded skills challenge for the baseball all-star game. Such as hockey, football, and basketball currently have. What other events could baseball come up with other than the home run derby to get the other all-stars involved?

Ok... lets "PRETEND" that players aren't worried about getting injured during these skills competitions. The other 3 major sports have more than one All-Star skills competition, and I think baseball should to. My question is... what other events could be added? Let's all not try and take the easy road out and say that they shouldn't add any. That's not an acceptable answer here.

Answer 1

I think they wouldn't expand the All-Star game to a best of three series, but the skills challenge thing would be a great idea. If they make it a best of three series, the players and managers will complain about the long midseason break, and it could add a week to the season. They could make a skill challenge like which pitcher can pitch the fastest and who can circle the basepaths the fastest. Also, like they have a celebrity all star game, they could have a Little League All-Star Game featuring the All-Stars from local Little Leagues. It would also be cool if the MLB All-Stars from the AL and NL face the all-stars from the Japanese League.

Answer 2

A 3-game series is definitely out of the question. It would take players away from their teams for too long of a time, and where those players would be playing at game level during the extra long break, what about all of the players who don't make the all-star team? They would do what during that whole time? Sit around and wait? Practice for a week? And then try and get back into season mode again after a break like that.. I don't think so. As for the skills thing, that could be expanded some to include other things.. couple good ideas here already, but then adding to the homerun derby could make the skills competition go super long, it already takes 3 hours or more to finish the derby, it might be 5 hours long if there are other activities. The speed idea sounds like a good one, see who could circle the bases in the quickest time.. but then you might get players who wouldn't want to do it cuz they might risk pullin a hammy or doing something worse by running hard when it doesn't really count. So that might not work.. same thing with pitchers throwing the hardest, could throw out their arms and then they'd be screwed for the rest of the season. Those kinds of things are probably why there isn't any other skills besides the homerun derby.

Answer 3

Three ASGs would be severe overkill and a significant chunk of a week (there's already one free day at the end of the break). And what happens when one league sweeps the first two games? MLB and teevee would have a lot vested in seeing that third game get played often. The logistics are much more complicated than holding just the one game.

Larkin proved (sufficiently for the owners' interests) that any skills contest with ANY injury risk is not worth having. OK, granted, many posters here weren't even born when Larkin hurt his elbow, so let's map what did happen to him onto a well-known player next year. Headlines:

"Jeter Tears Elbow Tendon In Throwing Competition"

"Jeter To Have Tommy John Surgery, Out Until 2009"

"Steinbrenner Emerges From Coma, Rants About 'Stupidity Of Wasting My Players For An Exhibition', Vows Changes"

"Yankee Fans Cry Foul: Demand Jeter Cloned, Back On Diamond By Monday
Star Shortstop Needed To Continue Fight For Fourth Place"

"Yankee Haters: BWA HA HA HA HA HA HAAAA!!!"

"Fans Who Petitioned Selig To Reinstate Skills Competitions Deny Responsibility For Jeter, Claim It Was All Bonds' Fault"

Please, those who think skill contests are a good idea, write to the commissioner's office. See what they have to say, because all you're doing here is blowing in the electron wind.

Answer 4

It's a nice idea, but that's not what the All Star Game is for. The way I see it, the All Star Game is an exhibition of the best players in the game at that point. It's just fun to see guys like Manny, Jeter, ARod, and Mauer all playing on the same team. I don't think the All Star Game should be anything more than that. Also, most if not all future hall of famers have already played in at least one All Star Game, so they've already had their glory.

Answer 5

I say no to both thoughts.

From 1959 to 1962, two all-star games were played each year. Even though it wasn't considered a series, fans completely rejected the concept, and it would probably be the same today.

In addition, the season is long enough as it is. Prolonging the all-star break to include extra games and extra activities is the last thing baseball needs.

Only one major change needs to be made to the all-star game. Get rid of that totally idiotic rule about the all-star game determining home field advantage! The team with the best regular-season record should have the advantage, plain and simple.

Answer 6

I think they do( or did) have some thing besides just the Home run derby, but yes they should. like which OF can hit a target at home plate, what catcher can hit 2nd most often.

I also think that a 3 game set would be good, but that would mean at least 5 days off, and baseball owners might not want to do that. I think at one point they played 2 games( like the 50's)

Answer 7

No way to the first. No one watched one game this year. There would be no interest in 3 games.
The skills challenge would be too hard since you would have to have a lot of players flown out there. It would get costly, and most teams don't want their players showing their strengths and weaknesses like that.

Answer 8

I heard of that. They should have a rookie game. Like rookie vs sophomores. For the skills they can have they get 20 grounders. 5 to the left, 5 to the right, 5 at them and 5 choppers. Then some pop ups. Same as grounders.

Answer 9

First off, ratings are low for one game, three would be a night mare. Most players would not want to jepordize their season with an injury so they wouldn't go for it anyway.

The HR contest has become the equivalent of the slam dunk contest, none of the big names wants to participate so a skills competition would be a thud.

sorry, just my opinions.