Astros moving to American League

[Tracer Bullet]

Oh yeah, that was all of time until about 30 years ago.

[Sammy Sofa]

Because by and large white athletes have more access to the ways and means to play more sports.

[illiniguy]

Because by and large white athletes have more access to the ways and means to play more sports.

I agree, but thought black kids found baseball boring and that was more why they were avoiding baseball.

[Sammy Sofa]

Because by and large white athletes have more access to the ways and means to play more sports.

I agree, but thought black kids found baseball boring and that was more why they were avoiding baseball.

 

It's not that simple. Too many don't even have a chance to give it a shot.

[illiniguy]

Because by and large white athletes have more access to the ways and means to play more sports.

I agree, but thought black kids found baseball boring and that was more why they were avoiding baseball.

 

It's not that simple. Too many don't even have a chance to give it a shot.

I thought RBI was pretty solid, is that not the case anymore? I've always thought it was other factors that lead to the decline of blacks in baseball.

[Sammy Sofa]

RBI isn't some kind of cure-all.

[Clem Fandango]

I've always thought that the reason African American numbers continue to shrink for baseball is because it costs legitimate money to play and practice the game. And on top of that, you can't practice baseball by yourself, you need peers to help you get better. With basketball, all you need is a ball. You can find a hoop, that's easy. A basketball can be found at a thrift store for $3. You need a glove, bat, cleats, batting gloves (if you choose), baseballs, etc.

 

Baseball is an expensive sport to play, and inner city families don't have that kind of scratch to devote to something their child may or may not have an interest in in the first place. I honestly think that's a huge factor with what's killing African American baseball participation.

[illiniguy]

RBI isn't some kind of cure-all.

I'm aware, but nothing is going to be a cure all. Expecting baseball to do a ton more is pretty noble, but crazy. They're businesses and it makes a lot more sense for them to set up baseball academies in other countries. I'm not sure how anyone can change that?

[illiniguy]

I've always thought that the reason African American numbers continue to shrink for baseball is because it costs legitimate money to play and practice the game. And on top of that, you can't practice baseball by yourself, you need peers to help you get better. With basketball, all you need is a ball. You can find a hoop, that's easy. A basketball can be found at a thrift store for $3. You need a glove, bat, cleats, batting gloves (if you choose), baseballs, etc.

 

Baseball is an expensive sport to play, and inner city families don't have that kind of scratch to devote to something their child may or may not have an interest in in the first place. I honestly think that's a huge factor with what's killing African American baseball participation.

Yet baseball is dominated by kids from poor countries.

[XZero771679666304]

Because by and large white athletes have more access to the ways and means to play more sports.

I agree, but thought black kids found baseball boring and that was more why they were avoiding baseball.

 

No, I think that the issue is that some sports require more resources than others to really get into. Hell, I came from an upper middle class family and my parents weren't always willing to spend what I would have liked them to on baseball equipment when I was a kid. I can't think of too many sports more expensive than baseball to get into.

[Sammy Sofa]

The bigger issue for poor kids in American cities is the lack of playing fields as opposed to the lack of equipment (which is still a big issue). Edited January 27, 2012 by Sammy Sofa

[OleMissCub]

Yet baseball is dominated by kids from poor countries.

 

they have room to play in those countries. finding playable fields to practice on that aren't five miles outside the city is a problem for the kids around here.

[JoshiQ]

Because by and large white athletes have more access to the ways and means to play more sports.

I agree, but thought black kids found baseball boring and that was more why they were avoiding baseball.

 

I don't think that is only for black kids though. When I was growing up in a small town in Kansas all we had for baseball was a summer rec. league. Whenever there was a basketball training camp or football camp all the kids would no-show an actual baseball games to go practice basketball or football. It didn't make much sense to me then and still doesn't now, but that's because I love baseball. It took me awhile to realize that most people just find baseball horribly boring. Basketball and football feel like it's constant action.

[illiniguy]

Yet baseball is dominated by kids from poor countries.

 

they have room to play in those countries. finding playable fields to practice on that aren't five miles outside the city is a problem for the kids around here.

What the hell can baseball do about that though?

[illiniguy]

Because by and large white athletes have more access to the ways and means to play more sports.

I agree, but thought black kids found baseball boring and that was more why they were avoiding baseball.

 

I don't think that is only for black kids though. When I was growing up in a small town in Kansas all we had for baseball was a summer rec. league. Whenever there was a basketball training camp or football camp all the kids would no-show an actual baseball games to go practice basketball or football. It didn't make much sense to me then and still doesn't now, but that's because I love baseball. It took me awhile to realize that most people just find baseball horribly boring. Basketball and football feel like it's constant action.

Agreed, that's not at all just a black thing. Most people find baseball to be very boring.

[Sammy Sofa]

RBI isn't some kind of cure-all.

I'm aware, but nothing is going to be a cure all. Expecting baseball to do a ton more is pretty noble, but crazy. They're businesses and it makes a lot more sense for them to set up baseball academies in other countries. I'm not sure how anyone can change that?

 

Uh, what? It's MLB that really wants to get these kids into baseball because it's good for their business. They're missing out on a ton of amazing athletes that they want playing baseball. I have no idea why you're acting like this is something that MLB is being forced or pressured to do; they WANT to do it.

[Sammy Sofa]

Yet baseball is dominated by kids from poor countries.

 

they have room to play in those countries. finding playable fields to practice on that aren't five miles outside the city is a problem for the kids around here.

What the hell can baseball do about that though?

 

What they have been doing; investing in the construction and maintaining of baseball facilities.

[illiniguy]

RBI isn't some kind of cure-all.

I'm aware, but nothing is going to be a cure all. Expecting baseball to do a ton more is pretty noble, but crazy. They're businesses and it makes a lot more sense for them to set up baseball academies in other countries. I'm not sure how anyone can change that?

 

Uh, what? It's MLB that really wants to get these kids into baseball because it's good for their business. They're missing out on a ton of amazing athletes that they want playing baseball. I have no idea why you're acting like this is something that MLB is being forced or pressured to do; they WANT to do it.

I know they want to do it, I'm just not sure what they can really do? And the basketball thing is just a peeve of mine. I'm not sure why the NBA isn't blasted more for not marketing it's white stars more. For example, how many people know Kevin Love is one of the best players in the world?

[JoshiQ]

RBI isn't some kind of cure-all.

I'm aware, but nothing is going to be a cure all. Expecting baseball to do a ton more is pretty noble, but crazy. They're businesses and it makes a lot more sense for them to set up baseball academies in other countries. I'm not sure how anyone can change that?

 

Uh, what? It's MLB that really wants to get these kids into baseball because it's good for their business. They're missing out on a ton of amazing athletes that they want playing baseball. I have no idea why you're acting like this is something that MLB is being forced or pressured to do; they WANT to do it.

 

Of course, if they really wanted the amazing talent then they probably wouldn't have adopted the new CBA where teams can't offer the players 7-10 million to get them to sign with the club. So I'm guessing a lot of them are going to stick with football or basketball.

Edited January 27, 2012 by JoshiQ

[SouthSideRyan]

You need a glove, bat, cleats, batting gloves (if you choose), baseballs, etc.

 

And a [expletive] load of other people to play with.

 

Baseball shouldn't be trying to win the war vs basketball for youths, football is the true enemy here.

[JoshiQ]

RBI isn't some kind of cure-all.

I'm aware, but nothing is going to be a cure all. Expecting baseball to do a ton more is pretty noble, but crazy. They're businesses and it makes a lot more sense for them to set up baseball academies in other countries. I'm not sure how anyone can change that?

 

Uh, what? It's MLB that really wants to get these kids into baseball because it's good for their business. They're missing out on a ton of amazing athletes that they want playing baseball. I have no idea why you're acting like this is something that MLB is being forced or pressured to do; they WANT to do it.

I know they want to do it, I'm just not sure what they can really do? And the basketball thing is just a peeve of mine. I'm not sure why the NBA isn't blasted more for not marketing it's white stars more. For example, how many people know Kevin Love is one of the best players in the world?

 

That's probably more to do with where he is playing. Put him on the Lakers, Celtics, or the Knicks and people would be all over his jock.

[Sammy Sofa]

RBI isn't some kind of cure-all.

I'm aware, but nothing is going to be a cure all. Expecting baseball to do a ton more is pretty noble, but crazy. They're businesses and it makes a lot more sense for them to set up baseball academies in other countries. I'm not sure how anyone can change that?

 

Uh, what? It's MLB that really wants to get these kids into baseball because it's good for their business. They're missing out on a ton of amazing athletes that they want playing baseball. I have no idea why you're acting like this is something that MLB is being forced or pressured to do; they WANT to do it.

I know they want to do it, I'm just not sure what they can really do? And the basketball thing is just a peeve of mine. I'm not sure why the NBA isn't blasted more for not marketing it's white stars more. For example, how many people know Kevin Love is one of the best players in the world?

 

They can help provide the facilities and equipment and coaches needed, and it's gone a long way already.

 

I have no idea what the "marketing white players" thing has to do with anything. Love is in plenty of NBA spots and tons of commercials.

[illiniguy]

RBI isn't some kind of cure-all.

I'm aware, but nothing is going to be a cure all. Expecting baseball to do a ton more is pretty noble, but crazy. They're businesses and it makes a lot more sense for them to set up baseball academies in other countries. I'm not sure how anyone can change that?

 

Uh, what? It's MLB that really wants to get these kids into baseball because it's good for their business. They're missing out on a ton of amazing athletes that they want playing baseball. I have no idea why you're acting like this is something that MLB is being forced or pressured to do; they WANT to do it.

I know they want to do it, I'm just not sure what they can really do? And the basketball thing is just a peeve of mine. I'm not sure why the NBA isn't blasted more for not marketing it's white stars more. For example, how many people know Kevin Love is one of the best players in the world?

 

That's probably more to do with where he is playing. Put him on the Lakers, Celtics, or the Knicks and people would be all over his jock.

LeBron was marketed pretty well while being in Cleveland. Kevin Granett in Minnesota as well.

[Sammy Sofa]

RBI isn't some kind of cure-all.

I'm aware, but nothing is going to be a cure all. Expecting baseball to do a ton more is pretty noble, but crazy. They're businesses and it makes a lot more sense for them to set up baseball academies in other countries. I'm not sure how anyone can change that?

 

Uh, what? It's MLB that really wants to get these kids into baseball because it's good for their business. They're missing out on a ton of amazing athletes that they want playing baseball. I have no idea why you're acting like this is something that MLB is being forced or pressured to do; they WANT to do it.

 

Of course, if they really wanted the amazing talent then they probably wouldn't have adopted the new CBA where teams can't offer the players 7-10 million to get them to sign with the club. So I'm guessing a lot of them are going to stick with football or basketball.

 

The CBA is going to have minimal impact in that regard; the minor leagues even existing is one of the biggest hurdles. Basketball and football are seen as being sports where if you have the talent you're going to break in right away after college.

[illiniguy]

Could not agree more on the minor league thing.