Thursday, July 17, 2008

At the sports desk: A-Rod threw a post-All-Star-game party, and...

...almost nobody came.
Certainly none of his teammates did.
But hey, maybe it had something to do with the fact that the game didn't end until past 1:30 in the morning.

Which actually brings up an important point: when is major league baseball going to learn how to market its game to young people? Take important, showcase events, for example.
For the NFL, it's the Super Bowl. When does the Super Bowl game begin? A little after 6 p.m. eastern time on a Sunday night. Everyone, young or old, can watch.
For the NBA, one of its showcase events is its all-star game. When does it begin? Early on a Sunday evening. Everyone, young or old, can watch.
Now we come to MLB. One of its showcase events is the all-star game, the "midsummer classic." When did it begin? Not until nearly 9 p.m. eastern time. When do its World Series games at night usually begin in October? Not until nearly 9 p.m. eastern time. How can young kids, even teens, stay up and watch much of that??? No wonder baseball declines in popularity. Young people don't get to see much of its most important games. Wise up, Bud Selig. Take some lessons from your major competitors.