Play Ball

Welcome to Stranded on First, a blog designed to cover how Major League Baseball can widen its fan base by adopting a variety of technological advancements aimed at improving the quality of the game. I am a very big fan of the sport itself and of the MLB, and while baseball is notoriously called our nation's pastime, its popularity has decreased in this country. I intend to discuss many topics that will show the beauty of the game but also show how MLB can adopt changes to escalate the popular interest in MLB to the apex of our nation's sports world. The game itself is pure - pitcher vs hitter, manager a manager, timeless rivalry vs fledging opportunity - but what MLB is lacking is an evolving strategy of marketing, advertising, statistical analysis, game management control and a high standard of announcing that can transform the League into an unparalleled force of sports excellence. With an impending NFL lockout looming for 2010 and the MLB collective bargaining agreement (CBA) set to expire after the 2011 season, the powers to be in the Office of the Commissioner have just over two years to formulate and introduce new ideas to the MLB Player's Association (aka "The Union") for adoption into the new CBA and subsequently, the league.

I plan to show how outdated introductory aspects of the game are (such as a player's boxscore) and how they can be improved. As I cover more topics, I will gradually increase the complexity of the issues and go deeper into specialized facets of the game and of the way that it is broadcast. The League has always been about history and tradition - and while my recommendations will bring about change, they will create a more favorable sport that will attract a larger audience and enhance it, allowing for future generations to respect the game more and be more excited for it. The future is now and it is imperative for the game to instill these developments into the League's long-term plans for ever-lasting living history.