Major league Baseball is known for its consistency and history. The sport known as “America’s Pastime” has made very little changes to the way games are played and broadcasted. But the MLB may be adapting to the current trend of technological advancements in the sports world.
The first change toward the trend came when the league implemented instant replay during games a few years ago. Another change came just a few weeks ago, when the league made a decision to change their method of All Star voting. From now on the ballots won’t be filled out on paper, but instead online. This change should be welcomed by all fans of the MLB because it expands fan interaction and makes it easier for fans to cast votes.
Many believe that the MLB is losing the interest of young players and fans due to its lack of change and pace of play. But with fan involvement increasing through the online platform, the game of baseball can become more appealing to a younger audience. The league has already tested out some new rules in the minor leagues to speed up games. Now, this change to all-star voting just might be a sign of things to come.
“We have the greatest game in the world, but we are always looking for ways to improve it,” Commissioner Bud Selig said in a press release. “The game is at its highest levels of popularity and we will continue to strive to identify ways that can build on its stature well into the future. With the cooperation of all appropriate parties, we can make progress on improving the pace of play, and we will have recommendations in the very near future for the 2015 season. I believe that this group has the experience and the perspective to be mindful of our game’s traditions while being creative about our approach in the future.”
The NFL has been the most popular sport for the past 30 years. Its admiration can be attributed to the notion that the league is not afraid to make changes. Ever since Commissioner Roger Goodell took over in September of 2006, the NFL has constantly been evolving for the better. Rule changes, NFL Red zone, and games overseas are just a few things that have made the league what it is today. If the MLB wants to close the popularity gap between them and the NFL, the league needs to make similar changes. Although the recent changes are minor, changes like making All-Star voting all digital shows that the MLB is making a move to try and increase their appeal to the modern fan.