Category: Baseball

For major league baseball (MLB), payroll amounts relate to team wins. While introspecting the MLB game phenomenon, Killins (2014) established that there is a strong relationship between payroll and amount and team wins. Applying regression techniques by drawing a scatter plot of real-world data of MLB payroll amounts (independent variable) and win totals (dependent variable) copied to the Excel spreadsheet, it is practical to establish the nature of the relationship between the two variables.

Comparing Least Square and Linear Regression Models

Least square regression is a technique of estimation, which allows analysts to predict the parameters of the models. For example, OLS models are a model applied when estimating the parameters of linear regression models. On the other hand, a linear regression model is a technique applied in joining a set of distributions that satisfy a set of postulations. These models are both used in predicting independent variables.

Scatter Plot and Linear Regression Model

The scatter plot in Figure 1 represents the values of total wins as an independent variable, while MLB payroll amounts are considered dependent. In addition, the chart in Figure 1 displays a linear regression model, which explains the relationship between payroll amounts and total wins, as shown in Equation 1. The model is used in calculating predicted win totals and associated residuals, as indicated in Table 2 (Appendix). The coefficient of correlation squared is provided alongside the linear regression model. To find the correlation coefficient, the analyst obtained the square root of . Undeniably, the correlation coefficient is slightly above 0.5, indicating that there is a fairly strong positive relationship between MLB payroll amounts and total wins.

Assuming the MLB payroll amount is $150 million, we can determine the wins total using Equation 1 as shown in Exhibit 1. The predicted value calculated in Exhibit 1 lies within the range of win totals data points.

Determination of Correlation Coefficient Using Formula

Where x and y represent MLB payroll amounts and wins total, respectively, and n=30. Table1 shows the values of the items in Equation 2, copied from the Excel spreadsheet.

Table 1: Summary of the Items in Equation 2 from the Excel Spreadsheet.

Determining Outliers Points

After fitting a linear regression line and activating data labels as shown in Figure 2, outlies points are far away from the line. There are two points identified, including Rays (50,90) and Orioles (80, 47).

Conclusively, linear regression techniques, especially constructing scatter plots and fitting linear regression lines are useful in solving practical problems. The MLB scenario analyzed, yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.5339 (manually calculated) or 0.5338 (Excel generated). This value is slightly more than 0.5, showing a relatively strong positive relationship between MLB payroll amount and win totals.

Reference

Killins, R. (2017). The impact of payroll allocation on winning in Major League Baseball (MLB). Applied Economics Letters, 24(16), 1189-1193. Web.

Appendix

Appendix A: Table 2 Showing Predicted Win Totals and Residuals

Problem Identification

Over the past, the Major League Baseball has been faced by several problems. These are mainly financial problems that have led to perpetual differences between the players and the owners. These problems have threatened the performance of this organisation. For instance, the organisation has been faced by several work stoppages (Blum 2002).

Such encounters affect its performance significantly. The organisation has been faced with financial situations which have threatened performance. Unsatisfied players will tend to be less productive and work stoppage will also affect the performance of the organisation. The organization has also been faced with the problem of low level of ticket sales.

Analysis

As already noted, Major League Baseball has been faced by a serious problem, which has threatened its performance. The organisation has found itself in a situation where its players have to miss their end of season final weeks salary (Blum 2002). This discourages the players hence invoking work stoppages. In most cases, work stoppages come along with huge costs to an organisation. This is because various processes are interrupted, which undermines the overall performance of an organisation.

When employees engage themselves in strikes due to dissatisfaction, their productivity levels will be significantly affected, negatively. This is because their morale will be reduced considerably.

The Major League Baseball has been attracting large number of audience compared with its competitors (Blum 2002). Therefore, the organisation has already developed a good image at the eye of the public. However, work stoppages and strikes may destroy its image at the eyes of the public. This may lead to a fall in its ticket sales significantly.

Meanwhile, as the players faced the problem of losing their salary for the last weeks of the season, the owners encountered a big problem since the World Series were wiped out for the second period (Anonymous, 2011). As a result, the ticket sales were notably reduced in 2003. This implies that the organisation will experience further reduction in its revenue. This posed a big blow to the organisation since this is one of the main sources of revenue.

The main cause of these problems was revenue sharing which led to increase in expenses. These extra expenses reduced the financial returns to the organisation. As a result, other expenses were similarly affected. The luxury tax also slowed down the growth of salary.

As already noted above, one of the major sources of the problem is the increase in the local revenue from 20% to 50%. This allocation raised differences between the players and the owners. If the increase had been initiated in 2001, it could have led to an increase from $167 to $298 million (Blum 2002). This figure is far beyond $228 which was proposed by the players. In other words, the owners wanted to implement policies that would promote flow of additional revenue from the high-revenue teams to the low revenue teams.

Meanwhile the owners were complaining that they were losing a lot of money during the period. This is because the attendance level was falling significantly. The season tickets were also not recording any growth. There was observable decline in the number of the fans. This posed a huge threat because it is difficult to win them back. The attendance level fell significantly.

There have been various negotiations in an attempt to solve the problem. However, most of them have proved impotent. For instance, there has been a heated debate with the owners proposing for an increase in the amount of locally generated revenue that is shared among the teams (Selig & Rose 2011). The owners also wanted a policy which would favor only those clubs with middle level of revenues and discourage those with the highest and lowest revenues. These views raised differences among the players and the leaders.

Recommendations

From the above discussion, it is very clear that there is a major financial problem in Major League Baseball. This problem has been characterized by the opposing views on how the revenue is to be distributed. This problem has gone to an extent of forcing the players to threaten with work stoppage and strikes.

There are several ways through which this problem can be overcome. To start with, it is clear that the major problem is the allocation of scarce resources. It is advisable for the opposing sides to come together in order to agree on the best proportions. The organization can also increase their revenues through some of these ways:

1. Increase the number of playoff rounds. This will help in expansion of revenues.
2. Launching marketing campaign in order to develop the reputation of the team. This will help in increasing the level of ticket sales.
3. Diversification of the sources of the revenue. This will help to increase the total revenue hence solving the problem of scarcity. This can be done for instance through sales of the teams t-shirts.

Reference List

Anonymous. (2011). MLB: Dodgers Financial Woes Are Frank Mccourts Making. Web.

Blum, R. (2002). Players, Owners Still Divided On Most Key Issues. Web.

Selig, B. and Rose, P. (2011). MLB Opinion: Seligs Folly, Decision to Add Playoff Rounds. Web.

Introduction

A sports industry is popular now involving thousands of athletes and millions of fans worldwide. In addition to that, it deals with considerable sums of money that come from numerous sponsors, advertising, and different economic activities. That is why it is much more than just a competition in a particular kind of sport; it is a full-fledged business sector. Thus, some teams irrespective of their specialty manage to be high yielding projects. Among them, the Toronto Blue Jays baseball club deserves specific attention. This sports team has a rich history, decent management, and skillful players, while its economic performance seems to be perfect.

Team Explained

Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian baseball team that was established in the late 20^th century. It was named after the bird, blue jay, that is famous in Canada. The team competes in Major League Baseball (MLB) and represents the American League East division, and it is the only club in MLB that is not from the United States. Blue, red, and white are the teams official colors, which is depicted at its logo.

History and Performance

Toronto Blue Jays were created in Toronto in 1977, and they immediately became popular among fans. Over its 42-year history, the club has witnessed many successes and failures, while different people and organizations have run it. At present, however, the team is owned by Rogers Communications Inc. that purchased 80% of the club interests in 2000 (Tait para. 69). It happened in 2004 when the company managed to buy the remaining 20%. Rogers Communications is a famous Canadian company providing people with various communication and media services. Now, the company has many young employees, which influences the companys performance. It is possible to identify a clear sporting focus of the firm because alongside owning Toronto Blue Jays it launched a specialty TV programming and a sports radio station.

As has been stated, the teams history has been full of both winning and losing moments. The late 1970s-early 80s were the time of struggles for Toronto Blue Jays because it was difficult for a newly created team to compete against more experienced opponents. As a result, the team finished in the last place in its division several times. However, it took a while for them to win the first East Division title, which happened in 1985. That event marked the beginning an era of success for the team (para. 53). During 1985 and 1993, Toronto Blue Jays won a total of nine titles, including the World Series in 1992 and 1993. It could not but result in significant economic benefits for the team, and in 1991, it became the first baseball team draw four million attendances in a season (para. 58). Since then, the club performed poorly, because it managed to appear among the top-3 teams of its division for the next time only in 2006.

Furthermore, one more outstanding moment in the teams history happened in 2015 when Jays won another East Division title. As for the last-year standings, the team did not manage to achieve some significant results or win a trophy. Since the team lost in more than a half of the season games, it finished fourth in its division. However, the absence of regular titles does not prevent Toronto Blue Jays from attracting more fans and obtaining significant financial benefits.

Top Five Players

At present, the team is a set of skillful players, but five of them stand out against the others. Firstly, it refers to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is one of the youngest in Toronto Blue Jays. Despite his youth, Vladito is a decent batsman frequently hitting home runs. What is more, he is said to be the youngest player of Jays to hit a home run. Secondly, it is reasonable to pay attention to another infielder, Bo Bichette. This player is only a year older than Vladito but also impresses with significant performance. He is a power hitter, and his first hit happened on his second major league pitch. Danny Jansen, a pitcher, is the third player under discussion. His skills and abilities make him a decent defensive player, while his excellent performance in 2018 allows concluding that the player will have a successful major league career.

In addition to that, Cavan Biggio, a second baseman, is worth mentioning. This player debuted in MLB in 2019, and it took only two days for him to get the first major league hit and show the first home run. Finally, it is reasonable to pay attention to Lourdes Gurriel. This player is worth consideration because he set a record to have 11 consecutive multi-hit games. However, Gurriel fails to become one of the best players in MLB because of frequent injuries. Thus, the players above are responsible for stable performance of Toronto Blue Jays, but it does not mean that the others make lower or less significant contributions.

The Stadium

At present, the Rogers Center is the home stadium for Toronto Blue Jays. Initially, it was called the SkyDome, and the team moved to it during its era of success ((para. 53). However, its name was changed in 2004 shortly after Rogers Communications became a legitimate owner of the club. The stadium is big enough because it can accommodate a slightly more than 49,000 spectators. Toronto Blue Jays have never complained of poor popularity and attendance (para. 58). The team is popular among broadcasters, while many fans regularly attend their home games. As for ticket prices, they start at $15.00, while the most expensive ticket will cost $257.00.

Marketing Activity

It is not a surprise that such high popularity of the team is explained by both its performance and various marketing activities. As it has been said, Rogers Communications is represented by many young employees, and it influences the marketing strategy. Thus, they try to attract more people in their early 20s to attend matches of Toronto Blue Jays. That is why the club organizes various incremental activities, including tailgate parties, Sunday salutes, and others. As a result, the team seems to be a well-developed business and sports project that is free from any significant problems.

Conclusion

Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian baseball team and a member of Major League Baseball. Over its more than 40-year history, the club has had both losing seasons and significant success with two World Series titles being among them. Now, the team is owned by Rogers Communications that pays great attention to the sport. The firm employs a young team, and this fact helps them target their activity at baseball fans who are in their early 20s. The team plays its home matches at the beautiful Rogers Center, while various marketing activities allow telling that Toronto Blue Jays do not have severe problems.

Work Cited

Tait, Allen. Toronto Blue Jays Team Ownership HistorySociety for American Baseball Research. Web.

The case presented in this paper is marked as a negotiation where both parties failed to recognize the importance of cooperation and interdependence. Although the strike was sometimes claimed to be the one that had the most significant impact on Major League Baseball, the result of the negotiations was not satisfactory to both parties.

The conflict between the players and team owners arose because of the limited privileges of the players. Only the team owners could decide which contracts needed to be ended and which remained in force.

Although players enjoyed different privileges such as higher-than-minimum salaries and better insurance before the strike, it was the team owners decision that influenced the future career of the player. Team owners were allowed to sell their players to other teams; furthermore, players were not able to negotiate their salaries and other aspects of the contract. This conflict resulted in the major strike in 1994 when both parties were ready to disagree with any conditions except the ones they required. Since revenue sharing was related to the salary cap, players assumed that, eventually, the salary cap would also limit their compensations. Such a suggestion was not supported by the players, and the long-term strike began. Although the players were right in their position no players  no revenues, they did not seek for an alternative. The team owners did not provide any innovative opportunities as well.

Although the judges decision was in favor of the players, the final agreement led to losses on both sides. The negotiators could choose multiple alternatives. The team owners were interested in avoiding the cancellation of the season and could have provided different suggestions to minimize the losses. The players were interested in changing the previous agreement, but instead of collaborating on a new one, they decided to prolong the strike, which eventually resulted in the signing of an agreement similar to the previous one but with additional losses. It also should be noted that both parties were not expecting the season to be canceled, which resulted in unsuccessful negotiations and disappointed fans.

The strike initiated by the players could have been successful if they and the union elaborated on such conditions that would not be entirely rejected by the other party. The same approach could be taken into consideration by team owners, who instead focused on hiring replacement players. None of the parties reconsidered their demands, which left both of them unsatisfied.

It should also be noted that both sides could suggest reviewing the concept of ownership and identifying which processes can or cannot be controlled by owners and players. Alternatively, stronger unions influence on team owners, contracts, and deals could also be suggested as a possible solution. Although the union did take part in the negotiation process, its influence was weaker compared to other strikes that were discussed previously. Thus, unions could have the power of controlling the contracts or deals, but this suggestion was not provided by the players as a reasonable demand.

Suggesting employee ownership or a modification of it could also be beneficial, at least to the players. Negotiation about the issues that concern both parties could have been much more efficient than providing two distinct solutions based on parties interests. The case presented is a good example of unsuccessful collective bargaining where nobodys initial preferences were considered.

In the twentieth century, many sports were introduced to the United States, however none of them would grow to be as influential on society as baseball. Baseball is known to many American citizens as “The National Pastime” and “as many as 11.5 million people play baseball in the United States” (“How Many People Play Baseball in the United States?”). This number is continually growing not only nationally, but also globally due to many improvements to the game that allow a variety of cultures to play. A couple of these improvements include many safety regulations such as new helmets and gloves, and a standard field size for players of all ages. Throughout the history of baseball, many changes such as the addition of free agency, the acceptance of black players, and regulations to improve safety have been implemented to drastically refine the game to make it the game today. These implementations to the game have made the game not only safer and more enjoyable, but it has also had a great influence on American society.

The beginnings of baseball is a bit controversial when it comes to the debate around the original founder of baseball. According the National Baseball Hall of Fame (NBHF), the founder of baseball was Abner Doubleday. “Abner Doubleday was a U.S. military who served as Union general during the Civil War” (Staff, History). However, Doubleday was a “bookish man” (Staff, History) and “never knew he had invented baseball” (Thorn). Abner Doubleday would have been surprised by the belief that he had created baseball because around the time of the first recorded baseball game, Doubleday was still on military duty and “he had never claimed to have anything to do with baseball” (Staff, History). This myth was created by A.G. Spalding, who is now known as one of the biggest equipment manufacturers in the sport of baseball. This myth has since been proven false and the true beginnings of baseball surround a baseball club by the name of the New York Knickerbockers.

The New York Knickerbockers were founded in 1845 and are believed to be the first organized professional baseball team. One of the players, Alexander Cartwright, has been credited with fabricating the rules for modern baseball (Staff, History). Cartwright created rules that have remained crucial to the game of baseball including “a diamond shaped infield, foul lines, and the three-strike rule” (Staff, History). The New York Knickerbockers created new ideas and started a new era of change to the sport of baseball.

The 1940’s is both a high and a low point when talking about the history of baseball. This is because during this time period, many innovations were installed to change the game for the better. However, many of the games greatest players left the league after being drafted into the army. One of these players was Ted Williams. During this time, many team owners faced the struggle of the constant need for new players. “The baseball executives, the press, and the public began to wonder whether the sport should continue during the war years” (“Baseball” 4). This event proved to be very difficult for the game at the time and left baseball’s executives scrambling for solutions. The baseball executives finally decided to consult president Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) about their concerns for the sport. FDR disagreed with the ideas of shutting down the game during the war and encouraged the executives to keep playing. In the long run, FDR’s decision would lead to be, “financially crucial to the game’s future” (“Baseball” 5).

The 1940’s was not only a time of struggle for the owners, but it was also a time of great integration in the sport of baseball. While many of the baseball greats of the time were overseas fighting World War II, baseball spread from the northern to the southern region of the United States. This caused many of the black men in the south to take up the sport of baseball (“Baseball” 5). These men decided to create a league specifically for only black men. This league would later come to be known as the Negro League. The war had a big impact on team owners as,“The war itself caused a reassessment of American racial attitudes, as the Nazi ideology of racial supremacy discredited American ideas of white superiority” (“Baseball” 5). However, for many years, baseball would not have a black professional player until manager Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers, “was moved by postwar agitation over baseball’s segregation, and in 1945 he took it upon himself to integrate major league baseball” (“Baseball” 5).

In 1945 Branch Rickey took his beliefs of integrating the sport and made it known to the public that he intended on creating a league for black players (“Baseball” 5). This league was known as the ‘Minor Leagues”, a name which still is used today. One of the athletes that was among the first to join the league is Hall of Famer and the first black major leaguer, Jackie Robinson (“Baseball” 5). Jackie was a superb athlete in multiple sports such as baseball, football, and basketball. In his first year in the minors, Robinson had an outstanding year which caught the attention of Rickey. Soon after, Rickey offered Robinson a contract but only under very strict conditions. Rickey made it clear to Robinson that in order to be accepted by the fans and to stay in the league, Robinson would have to keep his cool even under the most grueling of conditions. Robinson was determined, and he excelled at remaining calm even while fans called him racial slurs and threatened him with hate messages. (“Baseball” 5). This move by Rickey would remain crucial to the game’s future of integrating the sport of baseball.

The sport of baseball has always had its fair share of scandals that range from gambling to drugs that enhance player performance (Leventhal;135). During the 1990’s and early 2000’s, many of the games biggest stars were caught partaking in these scandals. However, long before that, baseball scandals can go back to its beginnings with teams throwing games to earn money from gamblers. The first recorded scandal in baseball was in 1877 when, “five players from the Louisville Grays were banned from baseball for accepting money from gamblers” (Leventhal; 135). This scandal would start one of the biggest problems in baseball history: gambling.

Although gambling had been a problem all throughout the baseball history, the “the first prominent player in the twentieth century to be implicated in fixing games was Hal Chase…”(Leventhal; 135). This would eventually result in Chase being suspended in 1918. The first nationally covered scandal was in 1919 when the Chicago White Sox were paid to throw the World Series. All of the eight players that were involved in the incident were permanently banned from Major League Baseball.

Although scandals involving gambling have always been a problem in the sport, in recent decades a larger problem has arose including players’ use of drugs. Players utilized drugs to help have a competitive advantage and it paid off for a while. Many of the players that consumed these drugs were some of the best players at the time. It was a hidden secret that was kept from league executives until star players such as Ken Caminiti and Jose Canseco admitted to using these drugs and that many other players in the league were consuming drugs as well (Leventhal;135). In 2005, The United States Congress held hearings to review the Drug Policy within the MLB (Leventhal;135). However, one of the biggest names of this time was involved in a separate, federal investigation: Barry Bonds. Barry Bonds is known to many as the all-time leader in home runs but when his name is brought up, many people may think of a more negative connotation. Barry and his trainer were being investigated under the allegations that they were distributing steroids (Leventhal;135). “Some critics contend that all of Bonds’ accomplishments since 1998 should be completely discredited” (Leventhal; 135). Another major consequence of Bonds’ steroid use was that despite his major accomplishments while in the MLB, the NBHF did not allowed him to be voted in due to his use of steroids. Drug use and gambling have been a major problem throughout baseball history and the problems continue to grow with the ever changing technology.

The Economic History of baseball is an important role in which the sport grows and evolves through the decades. The cost to join the league has substantially risen over the years as “The first professional league, The National Association, founded in 1871, charged a $10 franchise fee. The latest teams to join MLB, paid $130 million apiece for the privilege in 1998” (Haupert; 1). For many years, players in the MLB were not given a choice of what team they wanted to be on, nor were they able to negotiate with executives for better salaries. This all started to change in 1970 a player by the name of Curt Flood had been traded to the Cincinnati Reds (Haupert; 1). Flood was opposed to the idea of leaving St. Louis and declined to go to Cincinnati. This would cause major controversy in the league. “Commissioner Bowie Kuhn ruled that Flood had no right to act in this way, and ordered him to play for Philadelphia, or not play at all” (Haupert;1). Flood would soon start a legal case against the MLB for antitrust laws (Haupert;1). The case, however, would rule against Flood and these conditions would persist for many more years. In 1975 the addition of Free Agency had been implemented in baseball after a long standing disagreement between players and the Commissioner of Baseball. This addition allowed the players to be able to negotiate their salaries. This caused the “average salary [to skyrocket]” (Haupert; 1) and over the next 8 years the salaries rose from “$25,000 in 1975 to $289,000 in 1983”. (Haupert; 1). The salaries for the players would continually grow in substantial amounts and in the twenty- first century, “the average salary for the major leaguers was $2,476,589” (Leventhal; 134). This increase in salaries is all in thanks to Curt Flood who had started the movement and fought for better conditions. Baseball would also help other industries grow such as travel, television, and radio due to its popularity throughout the country (Haupert;1).

In conclusion, baseball would prove itself to be one of the most prominent games in the history of the United States due to its always changing rules and culture. Baseball helped shape the lives of many Americans as it opened up more job opportunities for black men, and supported other commercial and industrial economic growth. Baseball not only helped shape other industries, it also revolutionized within itself by improving safety regulations and equipment, the integration of all ethnicities, and providing more satisfactory working conditions for the players. Although it has had its share of good and bad times, baseball has always managed to maintain its popularity and relevance with its fans as a result of broadcasting networks and social media. These are just a few of many examples of the great impact that baseball has served on this country.

Baseball is a Sport played with one batter and 8 other Defensive positions. The eight other defensive positions are left field, right field, center field, first base, second base, third base, catcher, and pitcher. In this essay I will talk about three topics the first topic The most monumental players way back in baseball and how they relate and compare to present players also rules that got added into the game that change the perspective or overall game of baseball, the second topic is items added to the game, and the third is how players practiced back when baseball was starting and comparing it to now how players practice.

Through time things change some things become easier some things become harder but no matter what there are rules. According to (Major League baseball) “In the year 1869 Major League Baseball was created also known as “The MLB”. ( Wikipedia contributors) For example two of the most monumental players Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson started from nothing and then progressed their way to the top and look Babe Ruth had a extremely impressive career with well over a thousand home runs and is known not only by baseball players but by other sport players as he brought hard work grind into the game of baseball . Jackie Robinson in my opinion is the second best player in the MLB at their time because he showed a lot of people that the skinny kid is not always the weakest. Baseball takes time, it’s not a sport or thing that you can learn right away.

The establishment of rules in the MLB got added into the game in the year 1857. According to (Knickerbocker Rule Change Timeline) “In the year 1858 Called strikes were introduced”. (Baseball Almanac) This rule changed the whole completely because a year ago the pitcher would just throw the ball until the batter hit the ball this rule made it to where the pitcher would not have to use all his arm strength to get through a whole inning the batter would get three ball thrown right over home plate and if he did not hit one then he was out of there. Nowadays most of the time the batter makes contact with the ball because of this rule change so this rule change also improved players batting and the pitchers throwing speed in games.

The next rule that changed the game was According to (Knickerbocker Rule Change Timeline) “Bat size is now regulated”.(Baseball Almanac) Bat size is now regulated means that you could not just bring any material bat up to the plate. This rule changed the how power hitting aspect of the game because the bats were heavier and harder to hit hard crushed fingers so you had to be high on the list of great hitters to really send it out there but originally basically any Major League Baseball Player could send them pretty far out there with little to know effort.

The third rule that changed how foul balls are looked at is according to the (Knickerbocker Rule Change Timeline) “No base can be made off of a foul ball“. (Baseball Almanac) This changed fielding and infielding and a lot to. Originally when a foul ball was hit they would still run bases but since foul balls don’t count the outfielders if they see a ball flying out to be a foul ball they don’t have to run for it and attempt to catch the hitter out now the foul ball the batter hit counts as a strike against the hitter and the batter hits whatever amount of balls he or she has left to hit before being struck out. All the batters that would crush baseballs to the left or right a majority of the time can’t get any points for the foul balls or known as homeruns back then a lot of baseball players had gotten a worst batting average throughout time because the changes that this added rule inflicted on batters fielders infielders the majority of defense and all of offense. This also screwed over who ever was on third base because If they started to run home and the ball went foul that run point would not count and they ran all those bases for nothing and they could not really run back after touching the bag.

(Knickerbocker Rule Change Timeline) “In the year 2008 MLB adds limited (home run calls, fair or foul) instant reply to be in effect for all games starting on Friday, August 29th”. (Baseball Almanac) If the batter bunts and the ball flies foul or rolls to be a foul ball and if the batter had two strikes they are now out. This rule changed a lot how games went on throughout time because back then there was a lot and I mean a lot of power hitters that could drive the ball right down center field, right field, and left field like they were crushing a golf ball. This rule made it to where there could not just be twenty homers accounted for because there were these power hitters like Jackie Robinson and Babe Ruth that were just born to smack baseballs with a bat this rule was made to balance out the teams a little more because without it one team could just win the World Series for like 5 years straight without even trying that hard.

According to (Justin) “Currently, Aroldis Chapman holds the record for the fastest recorded pitch in the history of major league baseball at a speed of 105.1 mph”. (Arndt) This is extremely important to Baseball and how it evolved let’s go back in time when pitchers threw like 80 max in the professionals. Nowadays baseball players in highschool could throw that like nothing and Major League Players throw that to warm up. Most Major League players known for their extremely impressive pitching throw an average of 95 to 96 I can one hundred percent guarantee you if you turned on a Major League baseball game you will see pitchers just throw their all into every ball.

According to (Joey Meyer (Baseball) ) Joey Meyer hit a home run that had been measured at a distance of 582 feet (177 m) and was hit inside Denver’s Mile High Stadium.(Wikipedia contributors) I thought that this was an important part of the essay and that it contributed a lot to power hitters in baseball because although he was only in the MLB for one year he left an impact on so many baseball players from back then he was the Mike Trout of 1988 through 1989.

Introduction to WWII’s Impact on Professional Sports

World War ll was a very traumatic time period for many different countries. The war, lasting from 1939-1945 was ultimately won by the allied powers consisting of the United States, Japan, and the Soviet Union defeating Hitler and the axis powers. Huge countries including the United States, England, Germany, Italy, and Japan committed all their resources to the war effort and went to extreme measures to ensure a victory for their country and alliance. Millions of citizens went off to war to fight for their nations. As a result of this, the sports landscape across the world was completely changed. Thousands of professional athletes left their respective teams to go to war for their country. World War II directly affected Professional sports in America through service time, morale, and helped improve and set a foundation for the sports world as we know it today.

The Draft and Its Impact on Major League Baseball (MLB)

When Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1941, the number of US military personnel increased by over 100% (National Museum WWII). This number included many professional athletes across major sports that went to war to fight for their nation. MLB was affected the most out of all the sports in America. At the time, baseball was the most popular sport in America and was followed closely by sports fans across the country. One of the sports biggest superstars, Ted Williams left his passion to show his loyalty to the country. Two years prior, Ted Williams batted .406 which is an all time record that still stands today. The year before he left for war, he followed up his impressive campaign by leading the league in Home Runs and RBIs en route to the runner up for American League MVP. He was in the prime of his career and one of the best players that MLB has ever seen on a big market team in the Boston Red Sox. When he decided to fly fighter planes for the Marine Corps, baseball fans everywhere were left stunned. To put this into perspective, an example that relates today would be if a famous athlete such as Aaron Judge or Tom Brady left their sport to join the war effort. Ted Williams wasn’t the only superstar that left MLB to join the United States military. Joe Dimaggio, Ralph Kiner, Yogi Berra, and Bob Feller were among the big names that left baseball to fight in WWII (Whitlock). There was also many other quality players between ages 18-35 that decided to fight for their country instead of continuing their baseball career. As a result, the quality of play in Major League Baseball drastically declined. Replacement players from various minor league teams across the country were sent to the Majors as the only alternative to save the league.

NFL Adjustments and the Formation of the ‘Steagles’

Another sport that was deeply affected by athletes joining the Military service was the NFL. The NFL wasn’t as popular as baseball at the time but was still among the most popular sports in the country. In total, over 1,000 players and coaches left the NFL for war. This “shortfall led to some unexpected developments such as the merging of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles to form the Steagles” (Pearl Harbor Visitor Bureau). Just like MLB, many unproven college level replacements had to fill in to keep the league afloat. The quality of play was even worse than MLB’s based on the huge amount of players that joined the war. These two sports leagues show the importance of the war and how devoted America was to defeating Hitler. Many young children dream of playing professional sports and do whatever it takes to make their dream a reality. The thousands of athletes that left their respective sports show how significant the war was and the overall pride and loyalty Americans have for their country. The world was forever changed in part because of these courageous athletes.

Athletes as War Heroes: Beyond the Sports Arena

Many athletes ended up being crucial pieces to the war that helped America ensure the decisive victory to end Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. Yogi Berra was one of the many examples of war heroes by pelting bullets at Germans during D-day at Normandy (Laskey).

“Normandy Invasion, also called Operation Overlord or D-Day, during World War II, the Allied invasion of western Europe, which was launched on June 6, 1944 (the most celebrated D-Day of the war), with the simultaneous landing of U.S., British, and Canadian forces on five separate beachheads in Normandy, France” (Keegan).

Yogi not only participated in the turning point of the war, but was a key part in gunning down the Germans and securing the win for the Allied forces. He was recognized after the war by earning credentials including the Purple Heart award. Ted Williams was also a WWII hero,

“Serving in World War II from 1942-1946, he went to flight school, choosing to prepare himself for combat rather than play on a service baseball team like many other major leaguers did at the time. He was part of only 10 percent of Navy fliers to earn their wings, graduated at the top of his class and even set a student gunnery record for aerial fire while stationed at Pensacola Naval Air Base. So when he was offered the chance to discharge, he declined.” (Coffey).

If courageous athletes such as Ted Williams and Yogi Berra never left their sports for WWII, the result of the war could have been very different and who knows what kind of world we would be living in today.

Morale Boosting Role of Baseball During Wartime

Another way that World War II affected the sports world in America was through morale. At the time, the Commissioner of baseball, Judge Kenesaw Landis “approached President Roosevelt for advice on whether the 1942 season should be cancelled” (Pearl Harbor visitors bureau). President Roosevelt had no objections and responded by saying that the sport would help take people’s minds off of war and would actually be beneficial. President Roosevelt’s prediction was correct. Despite the weak quality of play, “the game’s popularity increased, reflecting the country’s embrace of baseball as the national pastime” (Corso). President Roosevelt was concerned with the morale of the country and knew that baseball was a game that can take their mind off of the war. Attendance actually increased by 22 percent during the war as well in the 1944-45 seasons(Corso). Baseball offered Americans a “form of escape and entertainment” as the war dragged on (Corso). While baseball did a great job of helping raise morale, football wasn’t quite as successful.

The Interruption of College Football and the Rose Bowl Relocation

World War II greatly affected the game of football in ways that the country has never experienced since. The war caused “upwards of 350 universities to suspend football until the war ended” (Pearl Harbor Visitors Bureau). At the time, college football was more popular than NFL and the country was left without many of their favorite teams. Ironically, the most iconic college football game, the Rose bowl, still took place. The Rose bowl takes place in Pasadena, California every year from 1902 to present day. The only Rose bowl that ever was located elsewhere happened in 1942 between Duke and Oregon State. This game was moved to Durham, North Carolina with the fear that Japan could still attack the west coast of the United States since the Pearl Harbor attack was just three weeks prior (Pearl Harbor Visitors Bureau). This struck fear into Americans across the country knowing that a potential threat out west was strong enough for the officials to change the location of the biggest game in college football. Although the cancellation of college football and the location change did not do much to put Americans worries to ease, the organization of football leagues at military bases certainly helped. Top athletes who left their professional teams to join the war put on games for huge crowds at Marines, Army, and Navy military bases (Whitlock). This not only kept their skills sharp for a potential return to the NFL after the war but also gave citizens a form of entertainment to enjoy a game of football instead of panicking about the war. World War II affected people all across the country but sports was one gateway out for a few hours to just enjoy a game and have a good time instead of worrying about the war.

Post-War Changes and Athletes’ Contributions to Victory

Another way that World War II affected Professional sports in America was by changing the world as we know it today. Many athletes that left for war put their lives at risk every single day. They recognized the importance and significance of the war and just like in sports, did whatever it took to get the win. A total of “twenty three NFL players lost their lives during the war” (Whitlock). Maurice Britt, a tight end on the Lions began jumping up and down in the middle of enemy fire to distract the opposing army and was a huge reason why multiple captured American war prisoners were able to escape. His heroics earned him a medal of honor but he had to amputate his right arm as a result after being hit by a bullet” (Whitlock). The athletes that joined the military and countless of other soldiers did courageous feats such as this every single day so that Americans can live better lives. Americans take sports for granted all the time but if it wasn’t for these American heroes, the sports world could be drastically different present day. The heavyweight world champion boxer, Joe Louis is another famous athlete who transformed the world during World War II and changed the sporting world forever. Joe Louis was fighting for African Americans rights while also fighting for America. He fought very hard,

“To make it better,’ said Barrow. ‘He talked regularly to Truman Gibson (then assistant civilian aide to the Secretary of War) to make it better. He would go on to black bases and see how black troops were taken care of, or not being taken care of, and he would say ‘You need to make it right for the black troops down here’ (Bell).

African American soldiers often didn’t receive the same training and equipment that white soldiers received and Joe Louis helped change that(Bell). Without prominent African American athletes such as Jackie Robinson and Joe Louis leading the way during World War II, African American athletes wouldn’t have had the same opportunities in the years following the war such as Jackie Robinson becoming the first African American to play in the MLB in 1947. Joe Louis was extremely courageous in standing up for what he believed in and not being told no for an answer. He was ultimately rewarded for his service,

“At the conclusion of his military career in 1945, Louis was awarded the Legion of Merit for his service. In his official military personnel file, it stated he boxed in exhibitions so frequently that he injured himself, putting his livelihood at risk ‘rather than disappoint soldiers who frantically stormed by thousands to the scene of his exhibitions” (Bell).

Joe Louis put his life at risk to fight for what he believed in and as a result, ended up making America a better place to live in and set a foundation for the future of professional sports leagues in America.

Conclusion: WWII’s Lasting Legacy on American Sports

To conclude, World War II affected professional sports leagues in America forever through service time, morale, and helping set a foundation for the future of sports. Many athletes stepped up as war heroes and helped America and the allied powers take down Hitler. Families across the country were affected by the war whether they knew a family member, close friend, or even someone in their community at war. People everywhere were worried about soldiers but also in constant fear of another attack on American soil from either Japan out west or Germany. Sporting events helped take people’s minds off of war and give them a few hours to relax and enjoy a game as an escape from the chaos. Professional sports leagues such as the MLB and NFL would not be as successful as they are today without World War II heroes and leaders such as Joe Louis and Ted Williams risking their lives for the pride of America and standing up for what they believed in.

The Origin

Baseball was known as one of the greatest pastimes for Americans since its emergence in the early 1840s. Americans from different races and economic backgrounds attended the various league games to spectate and socialize with others. Conversely, things were not always so great for the players, especially when it came to fair compensation. Many players were lowballed or stuck playing with one team for the duration of their career because the owners implemented the reserve clause in players’ contracts. The origins and demise of the reserve clause had a big impact on the game of baseball.

The reserve clause was defined as a part of the player’s contract that stated after the contract expired, the rights of the player remained with the team. Basically, it assured that players would be guaranteed to one team for the duration of their career in baseball. After the contract was signed, owners had the right to relocate, trade, or release the player at any time. The reserve clause was such an unfair stipulation that held many players back from being compensated fairly and relocating to experience other cities. Many of them opposed the clause by declining to play until their conditions were met. The clause was instituted as assurance for the owners to exert control and profit, much to the players’ displeasure.

Protesting the reserve clause

The first person to challenge the reserve clause was John Montgomery Ward. After an injury to his pitching arm, John Montgomery Ward was sold from the Providence Grays to the New York Gotham before the 1883 season. He attended the prestigious Columbia Law School and graduated in 1885. Using his attained legal skills, Ward formed the first labor union in professional sports by creating the Brotherhood of Professional Baseball Players and started the Player’s League in 1890. The union expressed that the reserve clause suppressed player’s salaries and limited their mobility. (Hasskamp, 2019 Baseball…para.10) Unfortunately, due to limited funds and participation from others, the Player’s League did not accomplish its goal to ban the reserve clause and disbanded the same year.

A New Era

In 1966, Marvin J. Miller was appointed as the head of the Player’s Union for the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA). Many players felt that Miller was a great choice because he had many years of experience working with labor unions such as United Steel Workers dealing with negotiations, labor law and other issues (Rader, 2018). Miller’s goal was to facilitate an increase in players’ salaries, improve pensions, and mandate that team owners negotiate fair contracts.

Curt Flood, a St. Louis Cardinals outfielder, was a three time All-Star and 7 time Gold Glove Award winner. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1969, but he refused to report. Flood expressed that the Phillies fans were racist, the team and stadium were crummy. Because of the reserve clause, he had to choose between retiring and negotiating the terms of his contract. His goal was to become a free agent. June 10, 2017 author Mary Craig posted an article titled “Chained to the game: professional baseball and the reserve clause, part two.” In the article she referenced the letter Flood wrote to commissioner Bowie Kuhn. Flood said:

After twelve years in the major leagues, I do not feel I am a piece of property to be bought and sold irrespective of my wishes. I believe that any system which produces that result violates my basic rights as a citizen and is inconsistent with the laws of the United States and of the several States.

Kuhn denied Flood’s request. So with the help of Marvin Miller, the Player’s Association, and former Supreme Court Justice, Arthur Goldberg as his lawyer, Curt Flood took his grievances to court. ‘The case challenged the clause on the basis of it violating antitrust laws and the 13th Amendment, the Civil War-era provision which prohibited slavery and involuntary servitude.’ (Craig, 2017 para. 7)

Breaking free

The Supreme Court referenced the precedent of baseball’s exemption from antitrust law, and ruled five to three against Flood (Rader, 2018 p.211). After Flood’s loss in court, two years later the league players banded together and with the help of Marvin Miller and the MLBPA took action to improve the working conditions of players. In 1975, pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally challenged the reserve clause in court. On December 23, 1975 they were declared the first free agents by an arbitrator. While Miller feared that free agency for all player might lead to fan dissatisfaction and ultimately, lower player salaries; he still fought to negotiate for the player’s rights and compensation. In July 1976, the owners and players reached a settlement that allowed a player to become eligible for free agency after six years. This was groundbreaking for the players as they would no longer be bound to one team for the rest of their athletic career.

Conclusion

Although there are many other events and people that impacted baseball, I believe that the banishment of the reserve clause is one of the most important ones. No one wants to devote many years of service to an organization where they are not compensated poorly and cannot advance, right? Since the start of free agency in 1976, an average salary for a major league player was $52,300. As of 2015, the average was $3,952,000 (Rader, 2018 p.213). What a drastic change 39 years can make! It is a shame that pioneers like John M. Ward and Curt Flood did not get the fair compensation they longed for while they were alive and active in baseball. Nevertheless, their inclination to oppose the unfairness of the reserve clause did lead others to follow in their footsteps and seek change. This is evident in today’s society looking at the salary of the average major league baseball player.

When you think of World War ll you may think strictly of the battle, but there were also forms of entertainment that continued on, such as baseball. During the war baseball wasn’t the most popular sport, but it didn’t take long to grow in popularity. There were many athletes that took part in baseball but roughly 500 major league players had left the playing field to join the military. Many of these men who were famous left their fame and title to sacrifice their lives for America. A player from Philadelphia named Harry O’Neill died during the war along with a young man named Eugene Gedeon who was an athlete from the University of Michigan.

There was a question whether or not the sport of baseball should continue on during the war, but the “Green Light Letter”, written by President Franklin Roosevelt, stated that baseball could continue on during the war. This was established in 1942 on January 15th. This letter gave Americans hope and a way to enjoy themselves throughout the war. Citizens may be constantly worried or stressed about the war and this was something to focus on and keep their minds with happy thoughts. Rossevelt believed that with baseball continuing, many children and older citizens would participate and that way the game would continue to grow while the major league players were off at war.

Baseball didn’t only entertain people who were outside of the war, it also entertained soldiers who were in the war. Soldiers who had free time could play baseball to pass time and to distract their brains from the war and stressful thoughts. Baseball was an easy hobby to pick up considering all you needed was a bat and ball. The Bleacher Report’s article titled “Major League Baseball’s Popularity During WWll” states, “Unlike major leaders or battles, the sport may not have directly impacted the outcome on the battlefield, yet it made a valuable contribution on the home front and American morale that cannot be overlooked”.

Since many players had left for the war, this gave women the chance to participate in the sport. Philip K. Wrigley, who was the Chicago Cubs owner, began the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in 1943. Many women were interested in this allowed over 500 women to play on over 14 teams. In 1945, women who were a part of the baseball league very much supported the war effort and visited hospitals to speak to wounded soldiers as a sign of respect. Many of these women had relatives or husbands who were apart of the war and appreciated all that they had done. Most everyone was accepting of women partaking in baseball because these women took jobs in factories that made military machinery. They stepped outside of their comfort zones and left their homes in order to help and support the war effort.

Basketball Essay For Students

Baseball has meant far more to me than just another game known as our nation’s pastime. 14 years, 28 seasons, dozens of teams, and a countless number of hours I have spent on a baseball diamond. From tee-ball to coach pitch to middle school to high school, it’s been quite the journey. I have established life long relationships, formed important core values to succeed in life, and been taught valuable life lessons. The baseball field has been my happy place for most of my life and will continue to be a large part of my life whether I am playing, coaching, or a spectator of the game.

Meet the People Who Loves Baksetball

The people I have met playing this wonderful game is something that I will cherish forever. From teammates to coaches to opponents to umpires to families that have made positive impacts on my life. My teammates are still some of my best friends to this day and these relationships will last a lifetime. Favorite memories are always topics of discussion when conversing with current or past teammates. Whenever a laugh is to be had it is likely a story from the baseball diamond. The coaches I have played for have been far more than just educators of the game. They have taught me life lessons, helped me mature into a man, and have always been advocates for me in anything and everything I do. My Teammate’s families are like one of my own, from the long nights spent at the hotel pool to carpooling, there was never a dull moment playing the game we all loved.

Value of Basketball

Core values are amongst the many benefits I have extracted from the game of baseball and personally the most important to me. The game of baseball has helped me instill and develop a wide range of core values. These values include hard work, teamwork, effort, responsibility, and preparation. Hard work to me is simple, you get out what you put in. If you struggle with a skill in baseball, practice it, practice it, and practice it again. The same applies to life, for example, if your job requires physical testing and you aren’t the most in shape spending time at the gym will improve your physical results. Teamwork is crucial, I have learned if each individual buys into the goal, greater trust is formed between teammates as they begin to hold each other accountable. In the real world when acquiring a job you will have co-workers, to achieve your goals you will need to work together efficiently and effectively to become successful. Preparation has been one of my weaknesses in the past but I have certainly improved upon this throughout my career. “Being unprepared is being prepared to fail”. As a catcher, I needed to study and understand signs before the game or failure could result. Not only has playing the game of baseball improved my knowledge and skills, but it has sharpened my core values and better prepared me to be successful in college and beyond.

The game of baseball has taught me many valuable life lessons. Many aspects of the game mirror aspects of life. The game of baseball is an ongoing battle, as soon as the batter steps into the batter’s box it’s a battle. A battle that few understand is equally mental as it is physical. The game of life is also a battle. You never know when life will throw you a curveball, it will constantly test your response to obstacles or challenges. Baseball is the only sport that you can fail more times than you succeed and be a Hall-of-Famer. When the game continues to beat you down, it requires the toughness to get back into the batter’s box. When things in life don’t go your way, you have to move on, learn from it, and never quit.

Conclusion

I’ve played baseball for a large portion of my life and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. As I have become a better ballplayer I have grown just as much as a person. The core values I have developed, the relationships I have created, and the life lessons I have learned will continue to help me achieve success in life.