As many people have said, baseball is recession proof. "Baseball has made it through depressions, wars, and scandals." This quote came from an MLB agent.
Many teams were thinking that the economic downfall would also hit the numbers that teams are drawing to the games. After the first month of the season, there were exactly 287 less tickets sold than last April, and that is with one less weekend of games this year than last. People come out to support their teams, almost no matter what. Baseball is the national past time. Smaller market teams like the Marlins, Reds, and Rays have seen significant increases in ticket sales compared to last April. I find that very uplifting. Home team fans are coming out to support their teams even when the economy is struggling.
However, this isn't to say that no team's are struggling. The Yankees and Mets are struggling to fill their new, giant-sized stadiums, mostly because of extremely high ticket prices. These teams have big enough fan bases to fix that problem though.
The Tigers, who reside in Detroit, may be the heaviest hit team. With all the car manufacturing problems, state unemployment in Michigan is over 12%. The Tigers are battling this by offering previous season ticket holders the chance to buy smaller season ticket packages.
The bottom line is, people will continue to fill the seats, regardless of how the economy is doing, because you can always go to the ballpark to forget about the world for a little.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Vick the Quick Back on the Streets
Michael Vick is scheduled to be released from prison on May 20th. He still has home confinement and probation for a duration of time. So, everyone is asking, when will we see Vick in an NFL uniform again? My answer is a resounding, NEVER!
The guy committed a crime. It's not like he was on a shortage for cash. He didn't need to be running a dog fighting ring to make ends. He made his choice of what he wanted to do. I'm not singling Vick out. The same thing goes for Plaxico Burress. You want to go out to the wrong places and shoot yourself in the leg? Go ahead, but don't expect to get to come back and be a professional athlete. That is a privilege.
The problem is, there is a fine line about what is too much. If a guy goes out and gets a few speeding tickets, let him play. We all make mistakes. It's the big mistakes, the ones you plan out, and then carry out, that are the ones you should have to pay for. Maybe Vick will be made an example out of, maybe not. I don't personally care if he comes back. I was never a fan of him anyway. I just know that if I was Roger Goodell, I would think long and hard before letting him back in the game.
The guy committed a crime. It's not like he was on a shortage for cash. He didn't need to be running a dog fighting ring to make ends. He made his choice of what he wanted to do. I'm not singling Vick out. The same thing goes for Plaxico Burress. You want to go out to the wrong places and shoot yourself in the leg? Go ahead, but don't expect to get to come back and be a professional athlete. That is a privilege.
The problem is, there is a fine line about what is too much. If a guy goes out and gets a few speeding tickets, let him play. We all make mistakes. It's the big mistakes, the ones you plan out, and then carry out, that are the ones you should have to pay for. Maybe Vick will be made an example out of, maybe not. I don't personally care if he comes back. I was never a fan of him anyway. I just know that if I was Roger Goodell, I would think long and hard before letting him back in the game.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Swine Flu Hits the Sporting World
So, here we have it. An outbreak of swine flu has caused major problems for multiple sports at all levels.
In Texas, high schools have not only cancelled classes, but have been forced to postpone athletic events for a few weeks. Every level of soccer in Mexico, covering 176 matches, will be played without fans this weekend. That's got to cause quite a financial burden for some teams. The Nationwide Tour postponed the Mexico Open. It is planned to be rescheduled for later in the year. The NBA and MLB are also sending out information to all teams on things to look for and preventative measures.
It definately is a problem. That's the bottom line. From my point of view, it's better safe than sorry. All leagues, no matter how big or small, need to be looking out for their members and fans, taking whatever precautions they can until this thing calms down.
In Texas, high schools have not only cancelled classes, but have been forced to postpone athletic events for a few weeks. Every level of soccer in Mexico, covering 176 matches, will be played without fans this weekend. That's got to cause quite a financial burden for some teams. The Nationwide Tour postponed the Mexico Open. It is planned to be rescheduled for later in the year. The NBA and MLB are also sending out information to all teams on things to look for and preventative measures.
It definately is a problem. That's the bottom line. From my point of view, it's better safe than sorry. All leagues, no matter how big or small, need to be looking out for their members and fans, taking whatever precautions they can until this thing calms down.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Things I Miss and Things I Don't
So, it's obvious that all sports have changed over time. I compiled a little list of my favorite things that have changed in sports, and things I wish wouldn't have.
Worst Changes:
1. What ever happened to stolen bases in baseball. The Fowler kid from the Rockies stole 5 bags tonight, and Ellsbury swiped home. Speed is exciting. What happened to the guys who could steal 80 in a season without blinking an eye? I like guys who hit 40 HR's, but a guy who can steal 40 and hit 40 is even better.
2. The BCS in college football. What a joke that is. Just go to the playoff system already. Every fan wants it.
3. Designated hitter. What is the purpose of this exactly? Why does the AL have it and the NL doesn't? It's comical to me. I'm sure the pitcher want to hit, why not let them.
4. Corporate owned teams. This is bad thing in my mind, because you don't always have the interest of the team in mind. When money starts coming before putting a successful team on the field, your in trouble. Go out and do it like the Green Bay Packers and fans will fill the seats.
Best Changes:
1. Spread offenses and passing. As far as football goes, I'm not much for watching a team run the ball 40 times and grind it out in a 7-3 scorefest. I like watching guys air it out, and then in turn, open up the run game.
2. Rule changes in the NFL to protect players. A lot of people are against this, and I want the guys to play, to an extent. But we're talking about these guys lives here. They play to put food on the table for their families, so a little extra protection never hurts.
3. Instant replay. It's starting to become a part of all sports. All I want to see is the right call made. I don't mind the game stopping for a few minutes.
4. Media coverage. Yes, I said it. I know I talk about how there is too much coverage sometimes, but as a fan, I love feeling like I am a part of what is going on. ESPN gets us all so close to our favorite teams, and it gives us all something to talk about with our friends. What a great world we live in.
Worst Changes:
1. What ever happened to stolen bases in baseball. The Fowler kid from the Rockies stole 5 bags tonight, and Ellsbury swiped home. Speed is exciting. What happened to the guys who could steal 80 in a season without blinking an eye? I like guys who hit 40 HR's, but a guy who can steal 40 and hit 40 is even better.
2. The BCS in college football. What a joke that is. Just go to the playoff system already. Every fan wants it.
3. Designated hitter. What is the purpose of this exactly? Why does the AL have it and the NL doesn't? It's comical to me. I'm sure the pitcher want to hit, why not let them.
4. Corporate owned teams. This is bad thing in my mind, because you don't always have the interest of the team in mind. When money starts coming before putting a successful team on the field, your in trouble. Go out and do it like the Green Bay Packers and fans will fill the seats.
Best Changes:
1. Spread offenses and passing. As far as football goes, I'm not much for watching a team run the ball 40 times and grind it out in a 7-3 scorefest. I like watching guys air it out, and then in turn, open up the run game.
2. Rule changes in the NFL to protect players. A lot of people are against this, and I want the guys to play, to an extent. But we're talking about these guys lives here. They play to put food on the table for their families, so a little extra protection never hurts.
3. Instant replay. It's starting to become a part of all sports. All I want to see is the right call made. I don't mind the game stopping for a few minutes.
4. Media coverage. Yes, I said it. I know I talk about how there is too much coverage sometimes, but as a fan, I love feeling like I am a part of what is going on. ESPN gets us all so close to our favorite teams, and it gives us all something to talk about with our friends. What a great world we live in.
Draft Recap
Ok, so like I said, I followed the draft pretty closely this weekend after all the bashing I did on it. I guess I just dislike the countdown to the draft more than the actually draft. The thing I like is that the experts are still wrong the majority of the time. Teams trade picks, the Raiders always surprise everyone, and I still get excited about who the Bengals will take. On that topic, how good was the Bengals draft? From a fan's perspective, I thought they did great. They addressed about every position they have a hole in. Smith is a monster on the o-line, Maualuga is a mean inside linebacker, and Johnson, the DE from Georgia Tech could see a lot of time.
On the downside, I don't know if I can handle how much time there is between picks. The draft is a full two day process. I guess I can complain, but really it's necessary for the NFL to have that much time between picks. How else are teams going to contact each other to negotiate trades. It adds some drama, but also a lot of empty time while you wait for your team to pick. Mobile phone updates are a must if you really want to know what's going on without sitting in front of the TV all day.
On the downside, I don't know if I can handle how much time there is between picks. The draft is a full two day process. I guess I can complain, but really it's necessary for the NFL to have that much time between picks. How else are teams going to contact each other to negotiate trades. It adds some drama, but also a lot of empty time while you wait for your team to pick. Mobile phone updates are a must if you really want to know what's going on without sitting in front of the TV all day.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
In with the New, Out with the Old
Since I have been ranting about how much I already dislike New Yankee Stadium, partly because of who plays there, and partly because of the gigantic cost to build it, I decided to look into the cons and pros of new versus old stadiums.
I have been to a handful of newer stadiums, Great American Ballpark, Comerica Field, and Turner Stadium. They're good as far as amenities, but where is the atmosphere of tradition? I was reading an article in Sports Illustrated where they ranked the 30 MLB stadiums. The top was filled with the newer ones, Anaheim, Pittsburgh, and Milwaukee. The rankings however were based one things like ticket prices, concessions, amenities, and accessibility.
I am going to Fenway this summer to see the Sox play the hated Yankees. I also want to go see a game at Wrigley soon. I think true fans are less concerned with concession stands and accessibility than they are with where they actually are. Being in Fenway Park, watching years of history, now that's baseball.
Of course, until I have been to some of the old traditional parks, maybe I shouldn't be putting in my opinion, but there has to be a reason why they are still standing. I plan on finding out.
I have been to a handful of newer stadiums, Great American Ballpark, Comerica Field, and Turner Stadium. They're good as far as amenities, but where is the atmosphere of tradition? I was reading an article in Sports Illustrated where they ranked the 30 MLB stadiums. The top was filled with the newer ones, Anaheim, Pittsburgh, and Milwaukee. The rankings however were based one things like ticket prices, concessions, amenities, and accessibility.
I am going to Fenway this summer to see the Sox play the hated Yankees. I also want to go see a game at Wrigley soon. I think true fans are less concerned with concession stands and accessibility than they are with where they actually are. Being in Fenway Park, watching years of history, now that's baseball.
Of course, until I have been to some of the old traditional parks, maybe I shouldn't be putting in my opinion, but there has to be a reason why they are still standing. I plan on finding out.
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