Unfortunate Circumstances Driving Positive Creativity for MLB

[Ted Schwerzler]

There has been no point in my lifetime that I have ever experience a time period like this, and I’ll say hopefully that we’ll never see it again. With baseball, and sports as a whole shelved, finding avenues to consume competition is something we’ve all craved. For a Commissioner like Rob Manfred, maybe these thought processes will resonate into the future.For the past few years, it has seemed like Major League Baseball’s Commissioner is the only one convinced that the sport is poor in its current state. Maybe you can include certain broadcasters (I’m looking at you John Smoltz), but the decisions suggested and made often have a far-fetched alteration tied to them. Behind the veil defined as pace of play issues, there have been numerous instances in which unnecessary paths have been traversed. Now needing to band together for the greater good, we’re seeing baseball spread its wings.

 

Early on when the shutdown of Major League Baseball was first imposed, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer quickly pulled together a Sandlot-esque game. Intended initially to be more focused around the actual game, it turned into a whiffle ball form of deli. Still, it was broadcast and had participation from multiple players on multiple different teams. Just hours into a new normal, the crave of competition was highlighted.

 

Now multiple weeks into a schedule that isn’t taking place Minnesota Twins Trevor May stepped up and assumed the role of virtual Commissioner. With Sony San Diego Studios and MLB The Show 20, May blazed the trail that has become the MLB Players League. Each club has a representative competing a few nights a week and will play each opponent one time. Games are broadcast on Twitch, MLB Network’s Robert Flores is commentating, and there’s a full league page hosted on MLB.com.

 

 

If you’ve tuned into any of the streams, we’ve seen everything from players succeeding as their virtual selves, witty banter, and even in-depth breakdowns designed to translate the similarities between the game and real life. What was likely dreamt up as little more than a fun departure from the current monotony has turned into an outlet generating multiple forms of genuine creativity.

 

 

I don’t know when baseball will return, and I’m still not convinced that it’ll happen in 2020. Outlined by John Bonnes earlier this week however, the capacity in which it does will be different. Rob Manfred is currently tasked with doing everything in his power to get creative and make sure the sport lives this season in some sense. While the parameters of play are just one aspect being discussed, it’s also the acceptance and inclusion of creativity born through this time that could breathe new life into the game.

 

We still have regional blackouts in the sport. There are fines handed down for players wearing accessories and equipment that doesn’t directly follow certain color schemes. Major League Baseball imposes copyright on far reaching avenues that would otherwise have the opportunity to grow the fanbase in untapped markets. Whether directly or not, all these things come back to Manfred. It is currently his baby and he has the power to embrace individuality and utilize this creativity.

 

From the guy that

, we can only hope some of the lessons learned aren’t immediately forgotten when a return to relative normalcy is reached.

 

An aside: Despite writing this today organically, I stumbled on this video from a few days ago. Trevor Bauer and one of YouTube's largest content creators, Fuzzy, put out a very cool video talking in depth about baseball and content creation. While much of it has to d specifically with the YouTube platform, the overarching theme is still about how far MLB has to go in terms of embracing individuality and engaging fans through creativity. It's most definitely worth a watch.

 

 

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[theBOMisthebomb]

I will pass on watching MLB The Show Players League. Just not interested. However, I will be happy if MLB goes to robot umps calling balls and strikes because of all of this.

[bighat]

I'm over all the distraction-based stuff. The video games, the "All Time Teams", etc. I know the league (and pages like TD) have to do something to keep the conversation going. But frankly I just can't get into it.

 

The only type of discussion right now that I'm interested in are the possible start dates and possible scenarios (ie: Grapefruit/Cactus leagues, etc).

 

Another issue we should start talking about is what's going to happen with all of these player contracts. For example: the Twins are possibly going to only get 3 years out of Josh Donaldson instead of 4.  And we were thinking his first year would likely be his best. Just a brutal scenario there. Also, what about Jake Odorizzi and his 1-year deal with the Twins? Instead the Twins get zip and have to go out and find another guy. Mookie Betts to Los Angeles? Maybe the Dodgers get nothing out of that deal. Ouch.