May 2012
Is changes needed to umpiring?
It seems like as of late the Umpiring in Baseball games have been pretty bad..well from what I’ve seen. Blow Calls at the plates, Wild Strike Zones, so on and so on and it’s really upseting some fans, Managers, and Players. I know I can’t speak for every baseball fan but I can speak for myself that the Umpiring so far this season hasn’t been all that. I mean I can count for a few Dodger games that really cost the Dodgers some wins. Two Bad calls against the Brewers (AJ Tagging Morgan more than a mile from home plate and Loney’s call) the one in Colorado from Hariston, Few blown calls at the plate. Its really annoying to see it and when its argued you get two sides of it. I’ve seen the fan arguements and some say its the right call where I strongly disagree at times. I understand it’s baseball but you have to remember games like that can come back to bite teams later on in the season where it Could cost them that ONE Playoff spot. Regardless I’m all about having the Right Call and getting Calls right. There have been options looked at to make sure the RIGHT CALL is made in Baseball and a few options was brought up.
One of them was adding Replay to plate calls. The issue with that was the fear of slowing the game down even more which is something that pushes the replay idea away. Baseball is already 2-3 Hours long and Replay to every Plate call would slow the game down even more. Now if Replay should be added make it to ONLY close plays at Home play like a sliding situation but THATS IT. Many will say Umpiring at home plate and blown calls is part of the game and makes baseball exciting and while I agree it makes things exciting making sure we have a 100% right call would also make sure things better for teams. Another Idea was electronic Umpires and this was an Idea I really don’t agree with. Human error is a common thing and we all do it but going total electronic technology where we replace human umpires don’t do it. First off its Baseball Umpires will be there and two you then force a change all over Baseball which sends many Umpires out of a job. I don’t like umps sometimes but I don’t think replacing them helps either So out goes that. I Believe that MLB should encourage more Umpire help like meetings if majority disagree with the call. That is the next best thing to replay and keeps the normal speed of the game. That along with the Replay at Home Plate Tag/Safe Calls will be an upgrade. nothing drastic, nothing less.
As I stated earlier I’m about having the Call right. Getting the RIGHT Call and helping umpiring helps big time. They are human just like us and they will mess up just like us but its becoming a very constant thing where now MLB should address something to improve the umpiring for the good of Baseball in my honest opinion. Will it happen? I think something will happen but what it is I can’t say but I hope its nothing that slows down or really messes up the game of Baseball. We all will agree or disagree with the call but I think The RIGHT CALL has to be made and getting it right is the key.
Dodgers in First Place! So wheres the Respect?
Your Los Angeles Dodgers are 29-13 which is a MLB Best, 1st Place in the NL West, Playing really good baseball with Matt Kemp, Jerry Hariston, Juan Rivera, Mark Ellis, and Juan Uribe. The Dodgers are getting all types of production from everyone this season at this point. The Dodgers even Swept the Defending World Series Champion St Louis Cardinals with a dangerous line up. Yet the Dodgers still have not received any National media attention. It seems like no matter what obstacles the Dodgers over come it gets little to no notice. Why is that? It’s beyond me but whatever it is I don’t like it but at the same time I do. Last year the Dodgers were in the headlines for all of the wrong reasons. Bankruptcy, Frank McCourt Draining the franchise, Losing, Brain Stow beatings. It seems like the Dodgers and it’s fan base couldn’t get a break. Come winter meetings the Dodgers only big move was Extending Matt Kemps contract while another team in Anaheim was making big moves signing Abert Pujols and CJ Wilson. Came the start of the Season Dodgers had new Owners in Magic Johnson, Stan Kasten, and Mark Walter and great display of baseball but national recognition hasn’t been all that.
Sometimes not having that National spotlight on you isn’t always a bad thing if you think of it. Right now the Dodgers have the best record in the MLB but is also staying quiet. As you see teams with the most pressure are usually teams like the Yankees, Red Soxs, or even now the Rangers where if one minor thing can become big news for you. The Dodgers having a big media spotlight just adds pressure to them to win. With the Starting Pitching playing well, Bullpen getting it together, and Everyone stepping up for the Dodgers it seems like things are going pretty well. So not having that national exposure isn’t always a bad thing when it comes to the play on the field. Just as good as it is to fly under the radar comes that respect.
As of now the Dodgers may have the top spot on a lot of Power Rankings but there’s others who talk more about other teams more than the Dodgers. How is it that Collin Cowheard can go on his show as with a straight face say the Cardinals are the best team in the MLB. The Dodgers swept the Cardinals in a competitive series but a Sweep is a Sweep. I’ve also heard many say the Texas Rangers are the best team which you can argue but comes this argument on why the Dodgers don’t get that recognition is the Schedule. Dodgers have played teams like San Deigo, Pittsburgh, Houston, Cubs, Rockies. Well let me kill the arguement that it’s hard to beat teams the way the Dodgers do in Baseball regardless of the teams and not to mention the Dodgers have hung around in games vs Atlanta and was robbed in two straight games vs Milwalkee. Not only that but Swept the Washington nationals and St Louis Cardinals as well as come back from a 6-1 defecit on the Road against Arizona to continue a 6 game winning streak without Matt Kemp. Want to talk about other stuff? the Bullpen is getting better and the Starting Pitching staff like Chris Capuano, Ted Lilly, Clayton Kershaw (Defending Cy Young Award winner), and at times Chad Billingsley playing very very well. So the Dodgers should have that notice from the media that the Dodgers are something special. Now its not how you start but how you finish and the Dodgers have to keep this good play up once June July and September October hit.
As long as the Dodgers keep winning then all is well but most Dodger fans have to be some what frustrated that they’re being OVERLOOKED by the national baseball media. Does it bother me? Some what but the Dodgers are 30-13. As long as they complete the season in October with a World Series back in Los Angeles then Im fine and happy. Dodgers playing great baseball and I love it how they’re doing it!!
All-Star Game in Los Angeles: When is it going to Happen?
This have been something that I’ve been wondering about for a long time. When is the Mid Summer Classic going to make it’s return to Los Angeles? The MLB All-Star Game has been to Southern California 6 Times. Three of them coming from Anaheim, two from San Deigo, and one from Los Angeles. Anahiem has hosted 3 Times in 67, 89, and 10 while Dodger Stadium only hosted in 80. How is that possible? Why is it that Dodger Stadium who is hosting it’s 50th Anniversary and is a Historic Stadium only got to Host the All-Star Game Once? I read on a LA Times Article back in 2010 which Bill Plaskie said Anaheim was a better Stadium due to it being a Modern Stadium. Ok I get that Anaheim is more Modern and what not and I get the Challenges that Dodger Stadium has but come on now MLB Dodger Stadium only hosting Once? Thats Unacceptable.
Dodger Stadium is in need of rennovations and that is something We all get. Not only that but you have the Traffic getting to Dodger Stadium and the MLB Fan Experiance is down the 110 (Downtown LA) but lets also think about this If the World Series was to be at Dodger Stadium then traffic would be crazy. Opening Day Traffic is always a pain so if their Concern is Traffic then Go news its always like that. I doubt it is but don’t hurt to bring it up. If anything the Stadium has to be rennovated which can be done but it’s been a long time since Dodger Stadium hosted an All-Star Game and it seems like LA hasn’t even gotten a shot to do it again. As of late the All-Star Game has been in Modern Stadiums such as AT&T Park and Chase Field for example. Old Yankee Stadium hosted before it was demolished but only hosted twice. The Mets are the only Team that has a longer drought than the Dodgers when it comes to hosting the All-Star game but could change soon.
With new owners and talks of making some rennovations which should help Dodger Stadium get the All-Star game so we could be a lot closer than we think but who knows. Dodgers can get the game without having a new Stadium it’s just a matter of when. Thats Something I can’t answer but I do know that the MLB All-Star Game will benifit the City of Los Angeles very well.
Dodgers New Owners Press Conference: My take on it
Today was a Historic Day in Dodgers Baseball. Just when we thought this couldn’t get anymore real than it already is everyone got to see it made official on TV or Webcast. Mark Walter, Magic Johnson, and Steve Kasten were introduced by the One and Only Vin Scully in front of many of the Media, Dodger greats and the Mayor of LA Antonio V. Such a Landmark day. As soon as Magic was introduced they already got down to business and getting on the fans good side by Lowering parking from $15 to $10 which I have to admit makes me happy and I don’t drive. It was great seeing this great moment before our eyes. It would have been very great if they had let the fans or something be involved for this great moment or season ticket holders at least but overall a great scene at Dodger Stadium.
There were a few things that I the owners pointed out that made me excited. With Magic he showed that we was ready to get to work and Said Monday that he’ll be up bright and early to work. He wanted to return the Dodger pride and promised to work tirelessly. He even said that parking was going down which I stated earlier was great. Magic showed so much pride and enthusiasm on being an owner and wanted to get to work right away. Stan Kasten came up and talked about what he planned to do with the group. Stan and Magic and Walter want to win right now and with the Dodgers in first place Stan will be with Coletti to evaluate what they can do to get better. They’re willing to spend the money to help the Dodgers win and bring back a World Series. He also brought up Fan Experiance and How he’ll be around Dodger Stadium talking to the fans listening to their suggestions even announced an email (fanbox@ladodgers.com) And encouraged fans to email them with their suggestions and questions and comments. I know A LOT of Dodger fans will email him. He wants fan experiance to improve and wants the team to improve as well. He also talked about the Stadium and how they will make improvements to make this a first class ballclub. I didn’t get to hear much of Mark Walter but he will provide the money to do what it takes for improvements to the Team and Stadium.
The Q&A Segments pretty much went into more detail but what I liked was how they handled the media as far as the McCourt questions. Magic going as far to Kill rumors that McCourt will get funding. He Said they own 100% of it and McCourt won’t get a dime unless is revenue for developments but you have to do what you have to do to improve. He isn’t Involved in the Dodgers or anything and thats whats important. So People McCourt Isn’t Involved Lets Move Forward!!! Another question one of the media members asked was about Dodger Stadium. A lot of rumors about Dodger Stadium moving or Stadium name changed and from what Kasten answered it brought a lot of relif to us all. He said while he can’t answer for the century the Dodgers will play in Chavez ravine and the name will remain the same. Thankfully that killed the rumors and that they want to make additions to Dodger Stadium while keeping the current design.
The New Owners gave Dodgers fans a lot to look forawrd too. Finally a owner who will listen to the fans and who want to win now. Dodger fans we have our owners and they’re ready to get to work for us. They gave us a suggestion box and will be around the fans. They’ll promote the Dodger bran and bring fans to the Stadium They’re doing their part and we have to continue doing ours and thats support the Team no matter what. Go to the Stadium and Support the Dodgers in a Fan friendly way, Let our new owners know what they can do to improve fan experiance so we can have the best, and Help with the payroll so that they can go out and get the best players to win a Championship in Los Angeles. Things are looking up and we will come together as one to do whatever for this Historic Franchise that is the Los Angeles Dodgers!
Matthew
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