Ways To Make The MLB Better

I like the MLB, I really do. It might actually be my favorite sport, yet I know why people don't like it. To be honest, their reasons make a ton of sense, but I also think there is a way to close the gap and make it a more popular sport and better sport.

1. Wild Card - I am with Selig, I think they need to expand the teams in the playoffs so that more teams are involved. I also like this 1 game playoff, because it makes winning the division just that much more important, while keeping more markets involved longer.

2. Salary Cap - Well, not just a salary cap. I do think there needs to be some kind of cap, so that teams don't just go crazy, but I think the tax has done a decent job. I would like a hard cap, but even more than that I think there need to be a payroll minimum for each team. If they can't afford to meet the minimum then they should either sell to team or it should be dissolved.

3. Pitch Timer - Purists will hate this, but there is no reason it should take more the 15 sec to throw a pitch. Beckett is used as an example of this all the time. He takes over 30 secs per pitch. There is no reason why games should take this as long as it does. Basically, I am in favor of a shot (pitch) clock.

4. Expanded Review - Trying to say whether a guy is safe or not is almost impossible. I want a booth setup that can look at a replay and call it. I don't want umpires to leave the field to go look, but a 3rd party to just call it from the booth. Everything should be reviewable except balls and strikes.

5. Shorter Spring Training - Find a way to cut down spring training. Almost everyone admits it's too long (players/fans). This will make the season end earlier, so that people aren't playing baseball during winter.

6. Decide on DH - I can see both arguments. "Purists" like the pitcher batting, and it brings more decisions for a manager. On the other side who wants to see a pitcher hit? I don't care which way, but having both is dumb.

7. All-Star Game - This nonsense of "now it counts" is dumb, and a team getting home field advantage, because of an exhibition game is silly. Cut that shit out.

I really think if these changes were made it would make the sport better. The games would move quicker, the season would be a couple weeks shorter, and more teams would be involved in the playoff race, which I don't think most people would argue against.