All-Star Game Tie Settled

[GBearFan]

Maybe Major League Baseball should take a page from the Frontier League’s rulebook when it comes to all-star games. Twice in the past seven years, MLB’s mid-summer classic has seen the bottom of the 9th inning end with a tied score. One was called a draw and many fans went home disappointed. This week the American League beat the National League in a mind numbing 15 inning sleep fest that spanned two calendar days. Yes regulation play was great but those late innings were just tough to take.

In the last seven years “four” Frontier League ASGs have ended in a tie but were settled by a home run derby. The team that wins the home run derby receives one run to end the game. This year’s game ended regulation play in a 2-2 tie but the FL All-Star Game record crowd of 6,032 in Traverse City, MI saw the home East squad defeat the West 3-2 after two rounds of the home run derby.

[Morris Mott]

I don't think the ML's will ever do such a thing. You see there is too much riding on the outcome of the game to leave it up to a homerun derby. The winning All-Star team gets home field advantage for their league in the WORLD SERIES. That amounts to a heavy amount of revenue for one team and a perceived edge in the World Series. As such, settling the game for the sake of settling it is no longer an option.

Managers will simply have to leave more players available for later innings.

But a better solutions would be to motivate the players into performing better. Since the All-star game generates about $17 million in ticket sales alone (57,000 X$300) you can award $100,000 to each of the winning team... at 40 spots, thats only a $4 million dollar expense. I think the players and manager will try harder, when the all mighty dollar is on the line.

[dodgersnusc]

Each team should get 3 "Emergency Alternate All Star Pitchers" that suit up, but know they are not eligible until every other pitcher has pitched, and ONLY can pitch if the game goes into extra innings.

It is very simple, and the 3 pitchers for each team are chosen by the Manager (I would suggest one be from his own team, that way he is not worried about burning out a rival pitcher). The chances of another 15 inning (or more) marathon again any time soon are not likely, but have them ready just in case. If each of these three pitchers is prepared to go three innings each, that allows for at least an 18 inning game, which is not likely to happen.

There should probably be one emergency alternate catcher, as well. Usually the starter goes 4 or 5 innings, which would mean the back up would go 10, or more.

Just a thought...

Also, I think there should be free substitution of position players, as well. Would have been cool to see Jeter (for example) come back in to play the 13th - 15th innings in New York, and have a chance to be the hero. He would have to hit in the same spot as where he started.

Choose easy, MLB, and put these into the rules...problems solved!

Ed