How To Fix The MLB All Star Game

There has been a lot of talk this week about how to fix Major League Baseball's annual talent showcase. Baseball, of course, will say the game is fine, and point to the increase in TV ratings as proof. That's fine. That is what Bud Selig and the rest of the MLB execs should do. That is their job. It is what they get paid for.

The truth is baseball needs to either fix, or eliminate, the All Star Game.

Since we know the second option really isn't an option (see the NFL and the joke that is the Pro Bowl) let me give my suggestions to making the midsummer classic more watchable.

First let me state that all star type games are a relic of the past. If you are a fan of baseball you know who the players are in the other league.  Between interleague, ESPN, MLB Network, mlb.com, MLB At Bat, and the countless other media outlets, most fans of the sport have had a chance to see the stars of both leagues. So how do we make the event more interesting?

Let's start with the home run derby. While I am a fan of the event, it needs tweaking. Baseball has moved in the right direction with the implementation of social media, especially allowing the players to tweet.  I love seeing the kids shagging fly balls, seeing the families along the baselines, and watching the non-participants have fun during the event, but as a TV event it is painful to watch (not a shot at Chris Berman).

Is there anybody that really enjoys watching the home run derby participants take pitch after pitch? As a fan watching, it was frustrating, and I'm sure as the guy throwing glorified batting practice it was maddening. My first step would be making the first 2 rounds 5 outs. It would cut down on the wasted time. I'm not sure why baseball decided on 10 outs (a guess would be more home runs = more eyes on the screen, after all, chicks dig the long ball) but it is just too many. The final round needs to be blow for blow. Think of it as HORSE for baseball. Jose Bautista doesn't hit a home run, guess what Prince Fielder, you can win with a shot here. The derby could go on for hours, or it could be ended after 1 at bat. The drama and spectacle would be great.

My favorite moment of the 2012 derby wasn't a monster home run, it was seeing Jose Bautista make an adjustment at the plate and tell the catcher to move more inside. Unfortunately, it is an adjustment shouldn't be made. USE A PITCHING MACHINE! Sure it's wonderful that Robinson Cano has his father throwing to him. It's sentimental, it brings back memories of every father who has ever thrown to his son...until Cano goes o-fer and we remember every time we disappointed dad. Let a machine do the work, set it at a speed, let the hitter choose the location, and get on with it!

Now on to the actual All Star Game. To be frank, it is a marketing event (thanks to Keith Law from ESPN for pushing this notion in the last couple of weeks on the Baseball Today Podcast). MLB needs the event to showcase the talent of the league. So why does every team have a representative? Guess what Cubs fans, you are in last place, but you have an all star! I'm sure that makes up for the atrocious record. It is a point that has been made ad nauseum, but not every team deserves a representative.

Along the thinking of throwing out tired, old, rehashed points, the game doesn't need to count. The two tie in together. What does a Cubs, or Rockies, or Padres player care if the National League has home field advantage in the World Series? Let the game be FUN (shocking concept).

Here is how I would change the all star game, and make it more fun. Fans can still vote, players can still vote, managers still get to pick players, but...eliminate position requirements! That's right, the 9 highest fan votes are starters, regardless of position! The next 9 are chosen by a combination of fan/player voting, and the manager gets the final 7. 25 man roster, no position requirements, and the possibility of more position players pitching!

Is it an insane notion? Possibly, but how many times has a player pitched an inning and it not been shown on Sportscenter? Most baseball players have played multiple positions, be it in high school, college, even the minor leagues.  So why not let baseball's "most talented" show off their talents?

What about ties?  WHO CARES! The game is meaningless, and besides, Chipper Jones played his final all star game as the National League's closer!

It would make the game more exciting. My team has an all star, and I don't know what position he will get into the game at!

Hey, it can't be any worse than the current version. At least this wouldn't count, and more importantly, it would be fun and an actual celebration of the game.

Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mtromero
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marctylerromero