How to Fix Major League Baseball | Baseball Bits

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How to Fix MLB. It's a question that's plaguing the baseball community. The decline of baseball in the United States is something that we all lament, even if I'm personally not convinced that MLB is dying or baseball is dying. Thankfully, your good friend Foolish Baseball has some solutions.
Topics discussed include Three True Outcome baseball, Pitcher Spin Rate, MLB foreign substances, the shift, the juiced ball, minor league salaries, mlb service time, mlb free agency, mlb owners, bat flips, Rob Manfred, and much much more.
I hope you all enjoy the episode of Baseball Bits!
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How much do fans spend on food? blogs.oracle.com/foodandbever...
Soundtrack by William Kage williamkage.com/

[@nicholaslopez4395]

Coming back to this video in 2023 and realized that the MLB made every on-the-field change that FB proposed except for the mound distance. This dude knows ball

[@spetorandslether4812]

Facts

[@robscallon]

The blackouts are such an enormous roadblock for any potential new fans. If they can’t stream their home team’s games then they’re just not going to watch them at all.

[@robscallon]

I’d love to watch Cubs games and become a bigger fan but there’s no way I’m going to buy cable. My interest in the sport outside of Wrigley is mostly propped up by KZbin channels like this and Jomboy

[@goodbye.moonman]

Agreed. Sick hat bro

[@Falllll]

Absolutely. When I first got serious about baseball, I found that the best way for me to watch my team was actually to just watch it illegally. It's not that I'm not willing to pay to stream it on my phone or computer, it's that I literally don't have the option to outside of setting up a vpn to skirt the blackout, which has proven to be more effort than it's worth.

[@Traeshmaen]

I dont believe the problem with blackouts is even on the MLB’s end. Its the regional networks that have the rights to the games that control that. So sure the MLB certainly needs to address that when negotiations open up but its not like the MLB wants blackouts in the first place

[@tjnuge]

It’s absurd that i can give MLB nearly $200 directly and they still won’t let us watch our favorite teams. That $200 will just ends up being spent on a crappy tv subscription like Sling or Fubo, and I’d rather just give the money to the league.

[@David-wt5hf]

MLB the show 21 has sucked me back into being a diehard fan of the game. I watch every game I can now. I feel like I’m 10 again and about to go my little league game

[@calebsmith1557]

Same dude same

[@ulyssesgiumarra7330]

I literally bought a Ps4 to play it, but I kept playing Xbox games so I sold my Ps4. NOW I am playing MLB the Show like I played the G.O.A.T. Sports/baseball game of all time MVP Baseball 2005 - obsessively!! And I am back to watching more baseball AND recognizing all the small players again. Of course, I'm back to being obnoxiously annoying when I can tell people how many teams Adam Duvall has played for... It's four.

[@markhanafin9461]

Everytime i buy the show i go wild for baseball lol

[@AccountTermed]

@@markhanafin9461 Exactly. Lol

[@angelocarterm]

Mvp 2004 still the best baseball video game

[@fishingthelist4017]

The shift will eventually become rare when players are taught the ancient skill of hitting it where they ain't.

[@skinWalkman]

Wanna beat the shift? Serve up opo tacos every at bat until they learn

[@fishingthelist4017]

@@skinWalkman not just little dink singles, either, at least from the big lumber guys. Given a choice, most managers would concede an occasional single from a slugger who could launch one into orbit(although he is well padded, so it wouldn't hurt too much).

[@33moneyball]

Nope....to beat the shift you have to concede power. Not worth it.

[@fishingthelist4017]

@@33moneyball for most sluggers, that may be true. That is the problem with the all-or-nothing approach many hitters have. They are trying to pull everything when they should learn to drive the ball to all fields, especially when they don't have Barry Bonds power. A bases clearing double helps the team more than a single through the empty side of the infield.

[@hustonswanson4106]

Freddie freeman is a prime example of this.

[@Denadamedacro]

"It's starts with paying minor leaguers a living wage." All 30 MLB owners: No.

[@stephenmason9527]

They are right to say no. Firstly, and mostly, because there is no such thing as a living wage. It's a complete figment of imagination. It varies from place to place and time to time, it covers whatever activists need it to, and it's also a complete misnomer seeing as how people not being paid this magical mythical "living wage" certainly aren't dying. LOL

[@verde7595]

@@stephenmason9527 im pretty fucking sure that the lower levels' 5k a year isn't enough to live on no matter where in this country you are but yeah go off dude

[@IsYouAWizard]

@@stephenmason9527 You're right they aren't all necessarily dying, just some of them. Instead, they just have to work multiple jobs(if they can get them), or are forced into homelessness, or have to sell nearly all of their belongings, or can't afford healthcare, or can't afford to go to college, or can't afford food every night, or develop stress-related health problems because they aren't making enough to live with a modicum of comfort, etc.

[@stephenmason9527]

@@IsYouAWizard this is all as laughable and histrionic as it is delusional, but hey you guys seem hellbent on turning the entire minor league system into a welfare state. LOL

[@jarryd8167]

@@stephenmason9527 Or, you know, maybe we're just hellbent on actually having minor leaguers get paid enough to live like a normal human being. People being paid enough to afford a decent standard of living isn't laughable or delusional.

[@myb3331]

Alternate solution: Appoint Foolish Baseball as commish.

[@FoolishBaseball]

I think this is fair

[@CSDonohue11]

You have my Vote brody 🗳 FB

[@iamhungey12345]

Almost anyone would be an upgrade over Manfred.

[@felnuts1]

lmao hate to break it to you but everything suggested would make the players happy and the commish's job is to make the owners happy while preventing strikes

[@bloopandablast9257]

@@FoolishBaseball Hi I'm from Australia and i'd love it if baseball could reach a international league like Cricket, Tennis or soccer because those games couldn't stand a chance to baseball. There's already enough leagues in Asia, USA, South America and Australia to hold the 'world Baseball classic' wouldn't international streaming and global recognition help Baseball. Plus I'd really like more popularity in Australia

[@VictorHammers]

Free tickets is one of the most incredible ideas in the era of televised sports.

[@deathmetal11111]

Not so sure about that. It would attract a ton of unruly and drunk people. My local MLB team had $2 tickets a while back and they had to discontinue it because they had to bring in the cops all the time.

[@macgobhann8712]

@@deathmetal11111 Drunk people will exist everywhere it’s not like you can wish them away. If they aren’t in the ballpark they’re outside it in the bars yelling and screaming. But so what, people have fun I’m not a prude. My local AAA team limited ticket prices to less than 10 dollars and things have been much better. People are actually going to the games and care about the team. First time in forever I’ve seen people wear their merchandise too. I’d gladly take a couple drunkards causing a ruckus over no one going to the games or caring about the team.

[@Angebro]

Even at $1 a ticket, with 81 home home games a year. If the dodgers have 1/2 the stadium filled that’s still $2.1 million dollars. And every dollar you add is another couple million

[@byroncard]

@@Angebro You don't think full capacity every night will free tickets?

[@sneersh9107]

@@Angebro i think a team, especially one like the dodgers, would fill way more than 1/2 the stadium with ticket prices that low. And that doesn't factor in all the food and drinks and merchandise that people would be more inclined to buy if they didn't just drop $40+ dollars on a ticket

[@mrholmes-yz2vr]

The fact that most of this is now being implemented, ex: the pitch clock, is really showing that the game is changing.

[@melgibson582]

Do not zoom in on outfielders when a ball is hit to them, especially on the ground. I wish they would use a wider shot of the field when a ball is in play. Not showing the movement of the game - base running, backing up third base, cutoff men getting in position, etc drives me nuts.

[@Aaronmac404]

Maybe do both with separate camera angle overlays or something. That would be pretty cool.

[@FoolishBaseball]

This is such a small thing, but I completely agree. Biggest problem is when an outfielder makes a crazy throw and we miss it.

[@MindlessWanderings]

@@Aaronmac404 They used to do that in cricket about 30 years ago but don't anymore (for whatever reason) and I wish they'd bring it back. The main screen was a wider shot that followed the ball and fielder while a small screen overlay in an upper corner showed a shot of the batters running... In the old days we knew what was happening, today, every time something happens we hear things like "What happened, we'll need to see a replay." and we're lost for 30 seconds. Back when we only had a few cameras to cover a game they took more care with what and how they showed the game.

[@monobryn64]

The really, really dumb thing, is that it would be crazy simple to have in the modern streaming based world. Just have a fixed, wide shot of the field as a separate stream.

[@jazzosaurus8582]

Or they could do a split screen. Show the whole field and have a close up on the side. Or like the runner on the right side, the fielder on the left, and the whole field in the middle. Just give us options to see what's going on.

[@FuzzyFromYT]

I JUST SAT DOWN WITH COFFEE!! YES!!! Edit: I got absolutely wrecked for suggesting a salary floor haha but it's a great idea

[@RetroBaseball]

I’m literally cooking popcorn right now...

[@AdanPety]

Same fuzzy

[@yessirino]

literally same lmao its lit

[@0reofan_2222]

I did but with cereal, I hate coffee (I’m also 13 so)

[@A.B.421]

Hi Fuzzy

[@ElstonsGun]

Honorable mention: change MLB’s logo to Craig Counsell’s batting stance

[@maxazzopardi7446]

i shouldn't of had taco bell tonight. let's just say i'm raging on the toilet right now

[@dkroll92]

great name and profile pic

[@maxazzopardi7446]

@@dkroll92 thanks man. means a lot

[@demonkingbadger6689]

I think it is modeled after Killebrew, i couldnt do that to the classics.

[@stimihendrix3404]

@@demonkingbadger6689 its not anybody specific the creative said himself its just a drawn composite of multiple batters

[@Kllnen]

1000% minor league games need to be broadcast!

[@deathmetal11111]

Yes. Spend more on the MiLB salaries but make at least a part of that up by increasing revenue.

[@sneersh9107]

@@deathmetal11111 raising MiLB salaries wouldn't even cost organizations much at all, odds are that a single player on their team is making more than it would cost to pay everyone a good wage in the minors. And when young players are comfortable money wise they can put all their energy into baseball, leading to more really good prospects and even better top prospects.

[@jonathanfrimerman8855]

@@deathmetal11111 MLB SHOULD GET TRADED TO ENGLAND AND BE WITH PREMIER LEAGUE TEAMS FOREVER

[@universenerdd]

​@@jonathanfrimerman8855what?

[@thelanealan6843]

Doesn’t the MLB KZbin channel normally comment on this 😂

[@johkupohkuxd1697]

He doesn't want to lose his job lol.

[@SenorTortas]

Yeah you can forgive the intern for this

[@sabmetricbones9887]

MLB real quiet on this one😶

[@gewignu]

420th like

[@mrpatman1163]

@@gewignu 540th

[@DrippyEssential46]

“A whole team for Paul goldschmidt” lol

[@FoolishBaseball]

I'd rather have Paul Goldschmidt playing all 9 positions than the 2013 Astros

[@DrippyEssential46]

@@FoolishBaseball lol me too

[@williamblazkowicz5587]

@@FoolishBaseball wtf is the point of (sub, bell, etc etc) if i dont get notified of your videos?

[@bedizzleyt681]

@@williamblazkowicz5587 turn it on all not personalized if u want all of his vicd

[@williamblazkowicz5587]

@@bedizzleyt681 i have it like that, all my subs are set to all notifications

[@swirly7917]

Wouldn’t moving the mound back also result in more stolen bases which would be so much nicer and more fun to watch.

[@holdenfegan1613]

Yes. A 2 ft move would be around a 3% increase in distance and thus, 3% more airtime, and that’s not even considering that fastballs will be avoided a little more because breaking pitches would be more effective. The combo of more flight time and a shift away from fastballs would be guarantee to result in more balls in likely more stolen based with much higher success rates for guys who are already diamond thieves like Trea or Tatis

[@maxazzopardi7446]

they should move the mound forward by 59 feet. make the game really up close and personal

[@swirly7917]

@@maxazzopardi7446 for sure that would be incredible, what are they waiting for

[@SoftBank47]

According to Jayson Stark of The Athletic, MLB is experimenting with slightly larger bases in the minors. They’ll be three inches larger, which will have the double effect of more steals (because the distance between bases is lower), and potentially reducing injuries in collisions.

[@aidangilhooly6689]

@@holdenfegan1613 lets see someone try to get anywhere near a 100+ fastball from that close, I’m on board

[@karlozortega246]

Baseball teams in Mexico started to make money after they lowered the ticket price, some teams like Toros de Tijuana and Diablos giveaway hundres of tickets for most games. Before the pandemic they averaged up to 12,000 fans per game, in a country that only knows football. I am sure that if they did something like this in the majors, Baseball would get back fans in the stadiums, specially for the teams that struggle with attendance like Tampa, the Marlines or Pirates. Great video like always.

[@VolvagiasBlaze]

well it's also a very different situation because the mexican baseball league is getting government funding, they can afford to give away tickets cause our dipshit president cares so much about baseball. That being said i do think that lowering ticket prices would probably benefit baseball in making it more accessible and for profits to go up from the increase in merch and food sales in the stadium

[@MLB_Youngboy]

I love that he acknowledged that 40 year old men are camping out at Target for baseball cards. I just want to get baseball cards from Target and then trade with my friends after school.

[@craigwinter3792]

Yeah, the Junk Wax Era might have killed their secondary market value, but I am forced to buy my kid old packs from the 90s because that's all that's available.

[@satanspit4101]

I'm 39 years old. I have collected sports cards 35 years. I love buying packs. Or picking out a specific card. My collection is worth over a million.

[@satanspit4101]

@@craigwinter3792 there are tons of new packs of cards available. Peni is huge in the card market. You haven't looked very hard for cards.

[@user-vr5zk9ox8d]

@@satanspit4101 congrats bro. Some people aren’t that dedicated though... They just wanna be able to buy some good cards.

[@steveandbethfisher8318]

@@satanspit4101 1: man hasnt left the house except to go to the card shop 2: wtf

[@tyroland06]

Jon Bois _and_ Foolish Baseball in the same day? I must be dreaming.

[@joaoosahko]

brother we are indeed living the life

[@maxgreineder9867]

Lol was just thinking the same

[@adrianmarquez5462]

This guy really gets it

[@zackherz6554]

SOMEONE PINCH ME

[@dodgerologist]

@Matthew McQuillen we are not in heaven, you’re in San Diego and I’m in hell.

[@BrockMak]

12:19 There should also be more Skill Challenges for other positions, too. E.g: Pitcher's Speed Duel, 9-square challenge, but with speeds capped at under 95mph AND with specified pitches. Catches' Pop and go (for throwing out base-stealers), etc.

[@JayTemple]

I'm told they used to have those, but no one watched them.

[@coleton2144]

I love this video!!! My only suggestion would to change the games from being free to charging a monthly subscription cost of like $10. The DBacks did a Summer Bundle where if you spent $30 you got to go to every game after the all star break, this was in 2017 when they were pretty good too. Idk just an idea that worked well here in AZ! Keep it up!

[@benjaylehman]

Did they really???

[@coleton2144]

@@benjaylehman yep they did the same thing this summer for $50, I went to 15 games this summer

[@toilet_cleaner_man]

@@coleton2144 Big teams in huge markets would never in a million trillion years sell tickets like that unfortunately. It's either pre-order single game tickets or season tickets for a whole family that'll set you back 30k+ dollars for a set of 5 for decent seats.

[@purple12701]

baseball bits and dorktown on the same day within a few minutes of each other? this might be the best day ever

[@NexebNoXV]

Certainly the best day to be a baseball fan that doesn't include a ballgame

[@RobertJW]

As someone who didn’t know this channel existed, it’s comments like these on both channels that made me check out this video. Thank you!

[@BlackOceanSociety]

I have a screen cap of them being the same minute both with 5.4k viewers

[@NWSportscast]

Our thoughts exactly!

[@CharlesFreck]

I'm just saying, I've never seen Foolish Baseball and Join Bois in the same room together.

[@Verlisify]

To be honest FB deserves to be the grand emperor of baseball

[@brentsmith217]

Agreeeeeeeee

[@Aaron-fy4wo]

My wrist is so stupid they call it Verlisify

[@ignluxex]

i was definitely not expecting you to be here

[@jjaakk7214]

Seconded.

[@coreyandreas730]

Shit was beyond dumb lol

[@spetorandslether4812]

It’s like mlb actually watched this

[@ericjohnson3936]

Two years late, he nailed: Banning the sticky stuff Paying minor leaguers Pitch clock Universal DH Baseball has gotten better.

[@isitsustainable820]

Loved the minor league recommendations, especially. Baseball is people-powered, pay the workers.

[@FoolishBaseball]

Agreed. And the so-called minor league burnouts often return to their hometowns to inspire the next generation. They really are the lifeblood of the league.

[@DublinsJoyce1920]

Unfortunately this issue pervades all aspects of American society not just sport. Take universities for instance, most 4 year universities rely on graduate students teaching upwards of 150+ classes per semester, and yet because they provide them with a tuition waiver, a check from the university to the university, they are allowed to essentially pay people with Masters degrees less than minimum wage.

[@mastod0n1]

@@FoolishBaseball I played high school baseball with 2 guys who got drafted. One of them left the game because the grind burned him out and he found an off-season job that had better opportunity and stability. The other is still playing AA/AAA ball but every fan blog for his organization that I've seen mention him lists him as a very fringe prospect. He's probably one new pitch away from being a serviceable reliever but who knows if that will happen.

[@andrewdavis4295]

Not everyone can go to mlb games but milb is still super fun

[@fromulus]

@@DublinsJoyce1920 the few that continue to hoard and concentrate the wealth are getting worse by the day. I can't imagine this changing on its own.

[@FunWithMemesFunWithMemes]

Everyone jokes about the NBA having no parity due to superteams and small market teams having no chance, but in the MLB that's actually a major problem

[@brandonsheumaker2673]

Every big move the Dodgers (and now the Padres) make while my beloved Rockies do nothing (because they don't have the funding) is another dagger in my baseball soul.

[@bobmanhunter]

Me too... me too. The owner even said that signing big contracts won’t happen. When I’m pretty sure having superstars on your team pretty much pays for itself in riling up the fan base. 2007 was magical, and we’re not going to see it again for a loooong time. Maybe never.

[@archiveacc3248]

This is the #1 thing keeping me from caring about baseball. It's so fucked that teams can spend 4 times the amount of other teams and I'm supposed to believe that every team has a fair shot at a title. To me baseball is nothing more than something to have on while football is in the offseason; I would actually enjoy it if it has a basis of fair competition like EVERY OTHER SPORT has.

[@AV57]

I think MLB needs to model the NHL cap system. It reliably gets teams with a little managerial competence a legitimate shot to go on playoff runs for a few years without having to go crazy on the UFA market.

[@FunWithMemesFunWithMemes]

@@AV57 Agreed. I'm thinking salary cap and salary floor

[@spacet1me]

This is the best baseball adjustment video I've seen, I have a very small latent interest in the game but I like the specific direct goal you set out to accomplish, like an AI.

[@mario.4173]

I absolutely hate that this man provided legitimate solutions to MLB's problems and they will do nothing.

[@FoolishBaseball]

It's a lot easier to propose these things than make them happen.

[@AAli220]

Half of these solutions are bullshit. Or unrealistic. There are a couple of good ones but some of these are just bad or unrealistic

[@AAli220]

@@FoolishBaseball for sure. good luck telling the owners to have feee gates, or shorten the season. I think a hard salary cap isn’t needed and we need a soft salary floor though

[@mario.4173]

@@AAli220 oh dont get me wrong i undersrand its not that simple, but the mlb could def do a little more. The pitch clock for example

[@camicawber]

@@AAli220 Of course owners aren't going to offer tickets for free, but the point is at least worth exploring. You want people to get in the door - well, if you let them in the door for less, will they end up spending more on souvenirs and concessions?

[@kevinh9657]

Bailey: *Walks into a boardroom to negotiate a new CBA* Owners: *Nervous sweating*

[@FoolishBaseball]

I then launch into a long impassioned speech about stirrups

[@superchaddi]

@@philchickenfingers1190 I see you all over these comments saying snide shit. Just wanted to let you know your efforts are noticed, and that you have successfully established yourself as possessing the social and intellectual capabilities of a cucumber.

[@avoton6020]

@@philchickenfingers1190 Funny you seem to care enough to use your time to talk shit about it.

[@wells1138]

This dude predicted everything correctly

[@havesomefaitharthur9020]

Great video, as a Cleveland fan I laughed that the Dolans were specifically mentioned first. Also Foolish Baseball looks exactly how I imagined he would.

[@thegreatcalvinio]

Foolish Baseball: "Make investments." A's, Rays, O's, Pirates, Cleveland, and Marlins: "No, I don't think I will."

[@stephenmason9527]

Yeah, ain't it funny how the entire video is just the players getting and getting and getting without having to do anything (fewer games even) and the owners being dictated to give and give and spend and spend and just be thankful he's benevolent enough to still allow them to own their teams? LOL

[@paulsack6172]

@@stephenmason9527 What, did you not understand a single point of the video

[@stephenmason9527]

@@paulsack6172 to me, there was no point to the video. 🤷‍♂️ All of these suggestions would be detrimental.

[@stephenmason9527]

@@35mm21 10 million is always "measly" when it's not *your* money. LOL

[@stephenmason9527]

@@35mm21 no, to use your analogy, you're just arguing that every restaurant has to be a luxury one. They don't.

[@Kevin-fh5sc]

The free ticket theory is like the hot dogs at Costco they are there to lure you in so you can buy more stuff

[@J_Archer]

I dont think the tickets should be free, but they should definitely be much cheaper

[@cltmck]

Free tickets are a bad idea. Bad actors will take advantage of it. Luckily, if internet gated communities are any indication, an incredibly small investment (say $5 a ticket for the cheap seats and kids with their parents get in free) will ward off almost all the bad actors.

[@AV57]

@@J_Archer, agreed. When I was a kid (early 90s) MLB games were uniquely cheap, compared to the other large professional sports leagues. An NBA or NFL ticket would cost about $30-$50, so my dad would almost never take me to one. NHL tickets were about $20, so we’d go to about 2 or 3 a year. MLB tickets were about $6, so we’d go to about 10-15 a year. According to inflation rates, $6 in 1993 is $10.86 in 2021. But now those same tickets in the real 2021 world cost $35.

[@spiderdog07]

I completely disagree with the tickets being free. It doesn't make sense to have a highly desirable seat at home plate cost the same as a nose bleed. I think maybe upper level seats could be free on the day of a game if the seats are unsold after the start of the second inning. There would be an incentive to "pre-order" tickets because you can get there early and see the warm ups, and hype videos. The free tickets would then only be used by local fans which would drive up local interest, but the paying fans won't feel ripped off because they were able to get some benefit for paying 20 dollars for upper level seats.

[@mrmacross]

@@cltmck I think it depends on the market. Like, fans of a team that's struggling to draw crowds can't be taken advantage of by scalpers, but fans of teams like the Dodgers or Red Sox would. Maybe free tickets aren't the solution for all teams, but some teams that have poor attendance should consider it more often.

[@GeliCarlosJ]

The Cap Floor & Ceiling is something that should’ve been implemented a long time ago. The ideas for on the field changes are good too.

[@teetle123]

This might be the best solution to baseball I've ever heard.

[@Tank67_]

11:58 As a card collector, thank you. Lol

[@ajp7819]

Like I’m 12 and I love Baseball Cards, I Can NEVER find any!!! I just started In summertime to, it is just sad.

[@FoolishBaseball]

It's a small thing and doesn't have too much to do with MLB, but it's a real bummer that the hobby is so expensive and inaccessible.

[@bradphilpott5860]

Yes and there can not be any parallels or variations or autos or anything cuz if there is.....adults will buy it all just for 1 card

[@glucosaminecondroitan9135]

I am an older person that collects for the fun of it and it's gotten crazy. Topps Big League is aimed towards younger people but they have been sold out everywhere probably because there are parallels and stuff.

[@glucosaminecondroitan9135]

Someone opened a card shop where I live and only sells basketball cards at the moment.

[@AeroRanger100]

"And those blackouts have got to go..." I felt that.

[@fyree6305]

Great video. Excited for what could possibly come for baseball. Sadly, reflecting on the results on the recent lockout, I think too few notable steps were taken. Hopefully improvements are made.

[@rileyesmay]

I really like the whole video. Literally everything was well talked about except banning shifts. Like you said before, the best part is when the ball is put in play. As a baseball fan its funny watching the team shift just for the dude to try to bunt down the gap, even if he isn't successful. Everything else I agree with though, and I thought all the other changes were very well said!

[@job1516]

I totally agree. Balls will still be put in play. If players don't want it to happen, they should learn to hit oppo. I don't like the idea of limitting tactical moves from the coaching staff.

[@NerdsmithTV]

A salary floor is honestly brilliant. In retail franchises, having a minimum investment is practically ubiquitous. Before handing over a franchise, they want to make sure you have enough to invest to represent the brand in a healthy, robust manner. The MLB should expect the same from their franchise owners. Not sure if this was intended to be included - but I'd also allow the minor league expenses to count toward that floor. That would make it an easy way to spur more spending in their farm teams, and reap the benefits of that investment over time.

[@FoolishBaseball]

I love your addendum. Lousy teams could at least put some of that money to their future rather than sign a bunch of veteran FAs.

[@stephenmason9527]

You love outside forces mandating to a business owner what they must spend on their own business regardless of desire or circumstances? That's a yikes from me.

[@markguilinger5062]

@@stephenmason9527 I've seen you make a similar comment in a different thread, but you're not considering the fact that each team is apart of an entire league that includes revenue sharing, so it's not exactly an "outside force" that would be mandating it, it's simply an investment mandated by the rest of the league for the future health of the game. These billionaires are not hurting for money in the slightest (no matter what they claim) so a move like this would likely be a worthwhile investment, and if not then it would not be too difficult to pivot to a plan that is more effective.

[@stephenmason9527]

@@markguilinger5062 mandated investments LOL and "investments" that have no actual real proven discernible benefit AND would make their franchise less valuable because now their income is plummeted from free attendance and 25% fewer games to televise, but their expenses are guaranteed to be sky high no matter what. You guys *really* hating owners doesn't preclude them from having rights and control over their own payroll expenditure of their own business... no matter how delusional you're willing to be. 🤷‍♂️ There's an unbelievable difference between an owner willfully spending and being forced, regardless of circumstance, to spend. Your desire for illiberalism is also blinding you to the fact that not all markets are equal. Even with revenue sharing, a salary floor as inexcusably high as the one he proposed (several times greater than what some teams spend now) would disproportionately affect smaller market clubs. You think you're doing this to make them more competitive, but you're doing the opposite. That financial burden is so much heavier on some teams than others. So congratulations you just made the bar for entry and qualifications so high for small business that all you will see now is Google, Amazon, and Apple. These ridiculous ideas and suggestions are rightfully being completely rejected because they are deeply unserious.

[@markguilinger5062]

@@stephenmason9527 What on Earth are you going on about? I didn't mention anything about free attendance or less games, you seem to be mistaking me for someone else. All we were discussing is the merits of a salary floor, which is not a "mandate" considering it needs to be agreed upon in the CBA. You are correct in that it is an unproven concept, but it also has not been tried, and there is legitimate upside for the league as a whole if done correctly (I agree that the floor suggested in the video would be too high for several franchises, so a smaller number would likely have to be agreed upon). And come on man, there is absolutely no franchise in the league that even comes close to resembling a "small business" so don't make it seem like an agreed upon salary floor would suddenly doom small businesses, because that is utterly ridiculous.

[@Swordopolis]

Foolish Baseball: **says the name of the thing** Leonardo DiCaprio: **points at his computer screen**

[@vinnythewebsurfer]

“Unjuice the ball and take away the sticky stuff” *and so the monkey paw curls as Manfreds laughter echoes across the land*

[@DonOfBaseball]

I agree with all of these ideas except for moving the pitching mound back and getting rid of the shift. Good video. Subscribing.

[@MrBooblo]

Man I fell out of love with Baseball when the 3 True Outcomes became oppressive around 2015. Foolish Baseball is almost singlehandedly making me come back to the sport kicking and screaming

[@johnburgundyyy]

Come back!

[@alec1115]

After 2010, I left the game as most of my favorite players from the 2003-2007 Red Sox retired or left Boston. However, I really enjoy Baseball Bits.

[@trevorm1876]

@@alec1115 the 2013 sox are the most lovable team in boston sports history, i really hope you didn't miss out on that

[@paplar9744]

Im drifting away from it because its literally never going to change. People still use batting average 😂

[@sneersh9107]

@@trevorm1876 can't speak for all of boston sports history because im only 22 lol but that team was definitely the most lovable team that I can remember. the thing where they all had names for their beards was amazing, and big papi hitting nearly .700 in the world series was iconic

[@RetroBaseball]

This is the best day of my life confirmed...

[@FoolishBaseball]

same here

[@sunsunavery4237]

fr its been too long ive been wayching old baseball bits

[@no40]

Here are my ideas on how to fix major league baseball: 1) 7 innings.....tie games recorded after bottom of the 9th during the regular season schedule 2) 7 player starting lineup.....cancel DH position 3) 132 regular season schedule.....ending on the last week of August 4) 16 team playoffs, 7 game series.....starting on the first week of September

[@pfr94]

My biggest gripe with baseball has consistently been the unbalanced schedule. By it's very nature it hurts and helps teams unfairly. If you're in the AL Central you can win your division with 90 wins nearly every season. In the AL East 90 won't get you a Wild Card birth. You can create a more balanced 162 game schedule if you follow a similar scheduling plan as what the NFL puts together. There's still an emphasis on your division, as it should be, but you're not getting beaten up in a tough division and you're not getting through easily in an easy division. All series would be 3 game series: Two series Home & Two series Away vs. your division = 48 games (4 teams x 12 games) One series Home & One series Away vs. remainder of your league = 60 games (10 teams x 6 games) One series Home & One series Away vs. the teams that finished in the same place of their division the previous season in the opposite league = 18 games (3 teams x 6 games) One series (rotating home and away every other season) v. the remainder of the opposite league = 36 games (12 teams x 3 games) This solution also makes inter-league play more interesting because you're seeing most of the opposite league at home every other year giving it back some of it's 'must see/attend' appeal.

[@Atlas-wh2vg]

“MLB blackouts gatta go!” AMEN!

[@StAugustine6]

Would have to see more literature and study concerning moving the mound. But I agree with literally everything else you said. Particularly love the idea of free tickets Monday-Thursday. So much potential, especially in the summer, when kids schools aren't in the way. Baseball needs to reclaim its identity as "the" sport in summer.

[@Kevoguy]

There would have to be some way of preventing scalpers from getting huge swaths of free tickets and selling them on the secondary market.

[@toilet_cleaner_man]

@@Kevoguy do away with online ordering. Make it so every spectator receives their seat ticket at the gate, having them choose section to sit in, seated front to back. It would be nice for poorer people to be able to finally sit at the field level and see baseball from 30-90 feet away instead of 250+ feet up and away. Pre-ordering would be redundant for the business since you cant get people to spend money on free tickets, and it would encourage people to show up early for the best seats, giving them more time to spend money on food, beer, and souvenirs prior to the game.

[@jacoblee6079]

ESPN: The Dodgers game is on ESPN+ for the first time in over a month in YOUR area MLB: *How 'bout no?*

[@ghostofyou9721]

Fuck ESPN plus. Seriously why create it? What's the point

[@chrisd6736]

Using a ball with “more drag” is gonna give pitchers a huge advantage for throwing curveballs, knuckleballs etc. The game would look more like Wiffleball. I’m not necessarily against that. But will also miss those 100mph fastballs.

[@A.B.421]

0:47 :O HE AGREED WITH MANFRED ON SOMETHING!!!

[@FoolishBaseball]

HEARTBREAKING: the worst person you know just made a great point

[@aber4935]

Foolish Baseball for commissioner 2021

[@Dev-gz4zh]

"Bailey, Emperor of Baseball" has a much better ring to it than "MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred"

[@demonkingbadger6689]

Better than Manfred is a really bar though.

[@thejoshchannel]

Keep it up, man! Baseball needs you. Thanks.

[@mobogdan4683]

I really hope the players are able to take some of these ideas into the labor disputes.

[@mikeg9672]

I watched this with my dad whose a 62 year old baseball traditionalist (hates universal DH, expanded playoffs, etc) and he actually said you had great merit and ideas. I hope you understand this is Extremely high praise considering I brought up a couple ideas to him before and he ridiculed me 🥺 . Great video

[@zeed7407]

Imagine FB just going to all of the teams and saying "It's your choice as to whether you want the DH when you're the home team."

[@riggsmarkham922]

Let the home team decide whether they want a DH right before the game starts. Have it be a thing you have to plan for.

[@nicknumber1512]

Great video, with lots of constructive suggestions. One aspect that might help with outreach and the long-term viability of the sport is to do whatever possible to reduce the (already low) risk of traumatic brain injury. From one or two articles I've read, increasing helmet use at the youth levels would be the most effective step. Emphasizing the comparatively low potential for long-term damage could draw a lot of parents to baseball over other sports.

[@razormc954]

And if kids play it, they may end up becoming fans for life

[@fluxd3218]

This aged very well

[@LowkAlexander]

Foolish Baseball gotta be a communications or history major. His storytelling is too perfect

[@trevingatto2445]

I wish they had a game pitted with the positions against each other. I think it would be awesome to watch a SS vs CF; P vs 2B, etc. game or something like that during all Star week.

[@JayTemple]

Take my money! For good measure, throw in a game with umpires vs. managers.

[@ghostofyou9721]

Or like a home run derby, but it's done to show defensive prowess.

[@brannonmeador1792]

It’s incredible how much all of this makes a lot of sense

[@alizah8042]

Bailey, your video-ending jokes are always the best, I've laughed out loud to two of them today!!! :D

[@tilmanwillms9584]

Would love to see an MLB game on nick just like the NFL did this year, introduces baseball to younger fans without them having to play the game if thats not something that they want to do

[@lhfirex]

Also, slime for HRs and baserunning.

[@insertcolorherehawk3761]

I would argue getting more games on ABC/NBC/CW/CBS/FOX would do just as well

[@jacobbeaudway2258]

The pirates spending 140 million??? SIGN ME UP!

[@FoolishBaseball]

Nutting might have an aneurysm

[@gabesachse5391]

@@FoolishBaseball the A’s spending 140 million? Sign me up!

[@phaecneom1984]

@@FoolishBaseball huh?

[@dennisallen8304]

Consistently some of the best baseball content out there.

[@robertcrist6059]

I love it when a character in a movie says the name of the movie in a line. Foolish you can work it in whenever my guy.

[@justmaxproductions]

wow... I expected at least 1 Astros joke 👏 I'm impressed by your restraint

[@teamwpventure]

The guy starting on 2nd base is one of the dumbest things baseball has implemented.

[@rileyesmay]

I agree. that makes extra inning games quicker, but when stuff happens its more of a cool he scored, than a HECK YEAH!!! because its either a walk off or a go ahead with a good chance of winning. The best walkoffs are extra innings without the stupid guy at 2nd

[@mbdg6810]

if it started in EXTREMELY late innings, would you be okay with it? I don't like the guy on 2nd base rule either, but I can see it being potentially a better rule if not used immediately at the start of extras

[@BeefPapa]

I prefer tied games. That's how much I hate the guy on second. It's an unfair advantage for the away team, as they get first dibs.

[@AV57]

I don’t think any baseball mind likes it. It was a concession to the pitchers to try and avoid marathon games last year in what was already a very tight schedule. The Cardinals at one point had to play like 40 games in 34 days or something like that, for example. Their bullpen was ravaged even without the marathon extra-inning games.

[@bclegomovies2662]

@@mbdg6810 I like that. Maybe the 13 or 14th inning?

[@adamm2787]

"If there's any solution, it's for the MLB to put their eggs in the Fernando Tatis Jr. basket"......oppps....

[@Julian-jd5yj]

I couldn’t have said it better with the 3-outcome result being the problem. Yes, home runs are awesome. But there was a time when 40 doubles was also awesome.

[@teddyconover1619]

Jon Bois and Foolish Baseball coming out with new videos on the same day?? Am I in heaven?

[@HarrisHighlights]

thoughts on brandon morrow?

[@A.B.421]

Prediction: Foolish will reply to this comment Called it

[@davidlevison9334]

@@A.B.421 reliever for dodgers and cubs

[@Azian2DaMax]

a cal alumni (go bears) and the only pitcher to pitch in all 7 games of a world series.

[@FoolishBaseball]

His 17k game was GOATed

[@nicknitro8776]

He was out for a year because he got injured putting on his pants

[@davisbalser203]

Hey FB, I played baseball all my childhood, all the way until I graduated Highschool. I was a diehard braves fan for the longest time, but as I slowly grew out of playing the game, I also stopped watching. Just wanted to let you know your channel has really motivated me to get back into the game, although this time it is mainly as a spectator. (it also helps the braves had a banger of a 2020 season). Thanks for making these wonderful videos! Davis

[@heyitswesty]

I'm an old codger and in some ways a bit of a baseball purist but I agree with you yet again, Bailey. Good video!

[@Ivan-xy3ws]

The fact that you have that hat makes me respect you even more.

[@sticcbug]

Secret base and Foolish baseball uploads at the same time!?

[@bigwoke686]

And within the same minute?

[@RetroBaseball]

11 AM eastern time is a really good time to upload because it’s win the most people are on KZbin.

[@lohlohhim]

Baseball vids as well

[@FoolishBaseball]

The fact you clicked on mine first is an honor

[@sticcbug]

@@FoolishBaseball most UNDERRATED baseball KZbin channel

[@dangomez6771]

Although I like the idea of free admission to watch the game I can’t help but imagine the idea of watching all the drunk overgrown children fighting over seating 😂😂 great video! Cool seeing some changes come to fruition this upcoming season

[@ethanmx2]

Liking these ideas. Might do some tweaking to the game and fan front though: 1- The Game: a. Love the pitch clock, and should make things go faster. To keep regular season games tidy, I'd get rid of extra innings. Game's a tie after 9? Congrats, it's a draw, and you each get a point! (BTW, I'd also institute the NHL's point standings format; 2 for a win, 1 for a tie) The only time we should have extra innings is for the final games of a playoff series. b. That reminds me: The playoffs: Make them points based as well. 5 game series? You got 10 points available. First to 6 points wins. 7 games? 14 points, first to 8; etc. Would make for some interesting scenarios for teams (ex. NYY wins 2 and ties 1 against CLE, so they only need 1 draw to win a 5-game series). c. Expansion? All for it! But I think 2 teams wouldn't be enough. MLB would have to go to 36 or 40. Figure out where the other big sports have teams, that MLB doesn't, and look into expanding there. 2- The fans: The only qualm I'd have is the free tickets. When you suggested that, I immediately thought of three things: The last game of the Senators, Disco Demolition Night, and that one game where a father and son ran out and beat an umpire. When people have no or very little monetary stake in the game, bad stuff is more likely to happen. I like the idea of lower ticket prices though. Would put this layout for Dodger Stadium as a suggestion: Outfield Pavilion: M-Th: $10; $30 w/All You Can Eat; F-Su: $15; $40 w/AYCE Baseline/Dugout Club: Make this exclusive to season ticket holders, with it being so close to the action, you wanna make sure you have reliable fans, and not something like -whoever that schmuck was that streaked in the super bowl and hilariously lost out on his own bet- Box Level: M-Th: $5; F-Sun: $10 Reserve/Upper Deck level: M-Th: $2; F-Sun: $5. Think that might help out a bit more. I totally understand though about wanting to compromise between fans, players, and owners. No solutions. Only trade-offs.

[@gusswhat__]

Being probably the worst person to comment on this: a Portuguese guy (a country which doesn't even have pro ball), an Orioles fan, and a musician I have to say this was brilliant!

[@A.B.421]

Finally another Foolish Baseball vid, I’ve been waiting LOL

[@FoolishBaseball]

I've been waiting too, and I'm the guy that makes them!

[@benjaminrohrbacher9286]

I agree with all of this aside from the universal dh. I really like it that there's the discrepancy between the AL and NL. It makes there actually a difference between the two, adds more depth and interest to the game. I also love to watch the differences in strategy because of having a dh or needing your pitcher to hit. The baseball bits on sac bunts is enough justification to me to keep the DH out of the NL.

[@ZaoJin]

isn't having a DH optional tho

[@benjaminrohrbacher9286]

@@ZaoJin yes it is, and you can have anybody dh for anybody, but with that obvious an advantage, except on a ludicrously short handed team (which we don't ever have issue with on an MLB team, I'm looking at you 28 active bullpen pitchers) the strategic advantage is obvious enough there's no reason NOT to use the dh

[@huntersobczak9107]

Nice to see that they implemented several of your recommendations.

[@heydenleekley4757]

As a Twins fan who thinks we get ignored in the national sports news market I appreciate your using lots of twins clips, our team is good just unlucky one week of the year.

[@DubCmusicTV]

The defensive shift should be allowed. Something's gotta give.

[@teamwpventure]

If professional hitters can't learn to beat the shit that's just pathetic IMO.

[@jaybird1381]

@@teamwpventure Yeah I don’t understand why people dislike the shift. Imagine if a team tried the shift on Tony Gwynn... He would’ve hit .400 Honestly just put in a 20 second pitch clock and de-juice the balls (fuck moving the mound back) and I think it’d be good. All the changes he wanted would boost offense a ton, even with the de-juiced ball.

[@AV57]

I used to say the same thing as an old school guy that appreciates a guy that hits the ball to all fields, but I’m getting pessimistic about the possibility of young players ever figuring this out. They just don’t hit like they used to anymore. They can’t hit the ball the other way. As soon as they try to, they Jack their swings all up and they wind up in between. At this point, I’d rather just see hitters have their normal, level pull-heavy swing that produces line-drives and ground balls through the infield than to have everyone trying to jack home runs, because hitting the ball over the wall is the only way they can reliably get a hit. And the only way to do that in the next decade seems to be some sort of ban on the shift. Draw lines on the field if need be. It’d be a prettier sight than watching these guys strikeout 150+ times a year.

[@job1516]

I totally agree. Balls will still be put in play. If players don't want it to happen, they should learn to hit oppo. I don't like the idea of limitting tactical moves from the coaching staff.

[@AV57]

@@job1516, but balls aren’t being put in play. It’s a large reason why strikeouts, HRs, and walks are through the roof now. The league is dying while we sit around and wait for a crop of opposite field hitters to emerge from high school.

[@godfist314]

Man what a great analytical yet entertaining video! I dont watch baseball but this is interesting stuff thank you!!

[@soarDK]

As a European I fell in love with baseball a couple of years ago. But it was through NCAA baseball that it cought my interest. I've been a fan of American football for years, and I became a fan of LSU. They had a good baseball program too. The passion you see in college sports as a whole is really what has gotten me interested in a lot of American sports. Sadly many of the pro leagues don't have the same passion.

[@gizka6816]

you're absolutely right. its frustrating to watch players who get paid millions per year that can't be bothered to run out every play

[@sneersh9107]

For a lot of regular season games that's true, especially for teams that aren't competitive. But once playoff baseball comes around it's a different story, the passion is immense and the effort is 110%

[@virushasdetectedawindows8381]

That 1.8 million for Michael A. is worth every penny I will have you know

[@trekkie271]

I love the minor league suggestions. I actually wrote a law review article making similar arguments and arguing that Congress should take action to take the decision out of the league's hands

[@FoolishBaseball]

Congress already picked their side with the Save America's Pastime Act (a farcical name)

[@trekkie271]

@@FoolishBaseball even more farcical when you realize it was just a few paragraphs in a several hundred page omnibus spending bill. Still, advocating for change never hurts.

[@joeblow5106]

Great video. Always informative guys.

[@kylen6430]

The Mather-rotary club interview was impressively timely in regards to this vid

[@KingBueno619]

How to fix Major League Baseball? A team needs to sign Bartolo Colon

[@gchomer69]

I just woke up and I get to watch a foolish baseball episode. Nice

[@natmcdermott6949]

Same

[@FoolishBaseball]

honey wake up new baseball bits

[@gchomer69]

@@FoolishBaseball lol

[@garygenerous8982]

One thing I would add, make the game accessible and interesting to potential new young fans. I think they had a good idea the past few years with streaming games live on KZbin but need to expand it and come up with other ways to draw in new fans

[@NL8584]

10:35...free admission. That's a laudable suggestion but they do have a pretty expensive business to run. I think if you did a low price Nationwide ($10 adult. 17yo-11yo $3 under 10yo free) but as a general admission park wide to incentivze people showing up early for best seats you could still profit from admission to help with the high salary some players require, and get new fans into games because 30 bucks plus dinner for a family of 4 is a great Saturday night for a lot of parents. **Love your stuff, thanks for all the hard work**

[@JustinGeeRamos]

Without a doubt this is the best video I’ve ever watched on KZbin!

[@jdcsports9320]

This aged well

[@um8064]

Deep stuff. Thank you commissioner Foolish. 🙏

[@waynemacgillivary2740]

Man I've been watching so many of your videos the last couple years, and I honestly figured you were my age and then this video ends with wait what. Your like what, 20, maybe. WoW. You got some wicked sports knowledge my man.

[@FoolishBaseball]

I'm actually 25, just fairly young looking.

[@waynemacgillivary2740]

@@FoolishBaseball im gonna be 43 in a few weeks. I am overly impressed

[@richardtherichard26]

Wow the last thing I was expecting to see today was foolish baseballs face. That’s wild