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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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 JAY MARIOTTI 
18

November Baseball's a Farce

Selig needs to get the boys of summer off the field

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(Newser) – Isn’t the Fall Classic supposed to happen in the fall? Not this year. The World Series begins tomorrow night and, in case Bud Selig hasn’t noticed, it’s “never seemed more irrelevant,” writes Jay Mariotti. It’s simply too late in the year for baseball. “I can hear my body clock ticking, knowing Game 3 will be played on Halloween night.” Game 7, if it comes to that, will be in a probably frigid New York on November 5.

Fox and TBS have demanded all kinds of unnecessary off days to ensure the games are played in primo television spots, and the feckless Selig has acquiesced. That’s not only killed any mounting drama, it’s increased the likelihood of weather ruining things. Remember last year’s rain-soaked farce? Well showers are in the forecast for games one and two this year. At this point, writes Mariotti at Fanhouse, “there’s nothing an inept commissioner can do but hope he isn’t embarrassed again.”

The breath of Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley turns to steam in the cold during the fifth inning of Game 3 against the Colorado Rockies in an NLDS game, Oct. 11, 2009.
The breath of Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley turns to steam in the cold during the fifth inning of Game 3 against the Colorado Rockies in an NLDS game, Oct. 11, 2009.   (AP Photo/ David Zalubowski)
Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley warms-up before taking batting practice, Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley warms-up before taking batting practice, Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, in Philadelphia.   (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
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gabo
Oct 27, 09 3:10 PM CDT
The sad thing is when the playoffs go this deep into the fall, only the two cities with teams playing care. They've lost the rest of the country. Having two East coast teams even makes the problem worse. Reply
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paul123
Oct 27, 09 3:14 PM CDT
Well, I'd have to disagree on the simple premise that I love baseball so much and just simply love the game. My team isn't in the WS, but I still will be watching simply because I love the game. I have a feeling that I'm not the only one.
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+5
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Forderon
Oct 27, 09 4:56 PM CDT
Ever since the league expanded from 144 games to 162, this has been a problem. There's no real solution. Either go back to 144 or keep it like it is. I don't really mind, but I agree that it has become irrelevant because ESPN WON'T STOP SHOWING FOOTBALL 24/7. Sigh.
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Spudsy
Oct 27, 09 5:21 PM CDT
Uh, they show football because it's football season? The "boys of summer" need to go back to a shorter season. Another plus from doing that would be that the regular season games would mean a little bit more. By mid-August, three quarters of the games being played have no bearing on the playoffs. I will also give my standard idea that baseball needs a timer between pitches and a limit on length of commercial breaks between innings and pitching changes. As I have aged I have gone from a season ticket holder to someone who doesn't think I have enough time left to waste it watching longer and longer games.
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Forderon
Oct 27, 09 5:57 PM CDT
Guess what, it's NBA/NHL season to. Do you see any coverage of those sports other than in 3 minute bursts? ESPN used to cover sports because they loved sports, all of them. Now the coverage it tied to profits, which football delivers. There are entire shows on ESPN dedicated to discussing NFL and college football.
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