I have decided I want to be Commissioner of Baseball. Although it would be cool to be at all of the All-Star Games, World Series games and basically see a baseball game anytime and where I want, I want the job for other reasons. I want the job to help bring the job back to us, the people. It seems that over the past few years, the game has been slipping away from the average fan. The game has also slipped away from children. The children of today are not exposed to the same baseball game I was exposed to.
So, I thought about what changes I would want to propose if I became Commissioner.
First, are the times of holiday games. I would decree that all American holiday baseball games must be played during the day, except for any games for national television. Games on Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day would all be day games. With all due respect to Toronto, they would never have any home games on July 4. These are holidays that are very family oriented. These are perfect opportunities to have day time games in which parents can bring their children to the various stadiums around the country and enjoy baseball, under the summer sun. Instead of a child having to leave in Inning 6 because it is already 9pm, kids will be able to stay the full length of the game and introduce something new to a seven year old, the ninth inning.
Second, any Saturday World Series games would be played during the day. When was the last time a World Series game (on the east coast) ended on the same day that it started? Games starting at 8:15pm are killing the love of the game. There is no way that kids from the Eastern and Central Time Zones can see the end of any World Series games. Saturday games would begin at 4:15pm. An earlier start time would allow families to watch games together at home and would also allow fans not to freeze their tails off if the game was being played in the northern part of the United States. As someone who has been to many, many post-season games in New York, I would have been so glad to have a game played under the sun.
Third, I would move the All-Star game and festivities to a weekend. Once again, this game is America’s pastime. Currently, the All-Start game is a Tuesday night and begins after 8pm in the east. The Home Run Derby starts at the same time. The All-Star Game was in New York this year. My brother (Blatt from Insidepulse Wrestling) went to the Home Run Derby and was able to stay for the whole night, but my Dad could not stay for the entire All-Star game. Just like most working people, he could not stay because he had to wake up in the morning and go to work. Now, imagine how amazing Yankee Stadium would have been if that game was held on a Saturday night and all 55,000+ people were still there as the American league won.
Fourth, I would come to an agreement with the Player’s Association to ban chewing tobacco. Unknown to most, chewing tobacco is banned in the minor leagues and players can get fined for having it in their possession. There are not too many major leaguers that use it, however imagine the positive publicity that baseball would receive for banning a substance that is known to cause cancer.
Fifth, I would work with the owners to make sure that all stadiums are open for batting practice. I remember when I was a child, I would get to the stadium early with my dad and watch batting practice. I even remember watching Dave Kingman take BP when he was with the A’s. At the (Old) Yankee Stadium, they used to park an ambulance behind Monument Park. Basically, this ambulance was parked against the back wall behind left center field. Kingman hit a ball that hit the ambulance. People stood an applauded. This was just a moment in BP that was seen by thousands of people because the stadiums were open. I know some stadiums are open for BP, but there should be some standard set so that fans can see their own home team take their pre-game swings.
Sixth, I would work the bat manufacturers to make safer bats. Bats break all the time. Watch Mariano Rivera pitch and you will regularly see him break one bat per game. However, in 2008 there was a sever problem with maple bats shattering. Without knowing studies that have been done, I do not know the solution. Does there need to be regulations as to the weight and the barrel length/width? Do the handles need to be thicker? Should bat companies submit samples for testing? Is there a stronger material that can be used? Whatever the answer is, I would find it.
Seventh, I would promote current Hall-of-Famers. I would have each organization work with the Hall of Fame for Professional Baseball to bring these former players to the forefront. We all hear the stories that current players do not know about history. We hear that players do not know the names and the records that these amazing players have held. What about the youth of today? How many kids today know about Willie Mays, Frank Robinson, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Johnny Bench and dozens of others. Hall of Famers can throw out first pitches, be involved in publicity and be part of front offices. As Commissioner, I cannot dictate how a team can utilize a former player, but I will do my best.
Eighth, I would schedule an All-Star Game at Wrigley Field. Enough said. It was last there in 1990. Almost twenty years later, it is time for a return. I have been there twice, the place is a gem in Major League Baseball.
That is my first “To-Do” list when I become Commissioner. Is everything with my powers? No. Will I need help from the Players Association and from the Major League Owners? Yes. However, each one of my ideas will help promote the game, bring the game back to the people who enjoy the game and hopefully reintroduce the game to people who may have forgotten how amazing this game can be.
Respectfully submitted,
Russ Blatt
Future Commissioner of Major League Baseball
