Does it matter that there aren't more black players?

[ghostrunner]

It seems like it's a foregone conclusion for everyone that was asked today during the game, that there ought to be more black players. I can see why black former players might have sentimental reason to think so. But nobody seems to ask this about hockey or golf or tennis. Obviously there's some history there, but given that the percentage of black players has gone up in the NBA over the period where there's been decling in baseball, it seems fairly obvious what's happened.

Also, I've heard and read news stories about how young white athletes have shifted some of their focus away from basketball and towards baseball, because they feel they either can't compete or be judged fairly by basketball recruiters who may have developed a reverse prejudice. So perhaps those white kids are putting more emphasis on baseball than the black kids are. Just a thought.

I agree that MLB ought to be reaching out to inner city communities and that black players should probably try to get involved in those places. But I don't think I can agree that it's a problem.

[Schlich]

agreed on all points. it is simply a division of interests, IMO.

[Michael]

I would like to see more African Americans in baseball but it seems to be mostly out of vogue in their community. The fact that baseball is extremely popular in the Latino community seems to be overlooked by the media.

[obucard]

I think a lot of the reason, at least for the inner cities, is space and equipment. For basketball, all you really need for a pick-up game is a 50' concrete slab with a goal, a ball and 6 people. For baseball, a pick-up game requires a 300' square of dirt or grass, a bat, 9 gloves, a ball, and 18 people. Less stuff, less space, and less people needed will contribute to interest level.

Another reason is patience. A basketball phenom can start making millions right after his HS graduation (1sr rounders are guaranteed 3 years, 7 digits). Even college standouts need only 2-3 years of college ball before the jump. A baseball phenom need 2 years in the minors, then at least 3 years before arbitration. College only adds years, as most still go through the system. For the athletes living below the poverty line, pro sports are a way to get themselves and their families out. Basketball provides a much faster way (0-3 years after HS) than baseball (5-8 years after HS). LeBron James got his million dollar contract at age 18; Albert Pujols at age 24.

[a_smith]

Hal McRae made the point that it really isnt that big a deal (not a matter of racism) -- it is that the kids are playing basketball and football.

[sparks]

my take on it ( for what it is worth ). There is more asphalt and indoor basketball courts in the cities. also basketball can be played year round in the USA. Baseball can be played almost year round in south america and caribbean.

I also think it has a lot to do with marketing. Basketball makes sure their star atheletes faces are reconizable every where world wide. Shaq, Kobe,Lebron,Mello,Iverson etc. just the mention of their names and even the casual fan knows who they are and who they play for. Baseballs marketing doesn't come close to matching it. Baseballs marketing is also overshawdoed by controversies as of late.

i think black players contribution to baseball has been huge and it is kind of sad to see the numbers drop.

[sighyoung]

Of course, some of this concern reflects the desire to mentor in all aspects of the sport--not just playing, but coaching, management, public relations, officiating, medicine, and so on.

[haltz]

Other than demographics and cultural stuff that has been already mentioned, I think that the fact that players are becoming specialized at a younger age has something to do with it. Practicing football, playing AAU basketball in the spring, as well as the flipside, that kids who are good at baseball and get the chance to play the sport since a young age are dropping other pursuits earlier and earlier.

From my experience, a good amount of players that have a choice to play multiple sports in college or high school, and have to, or think they have to, make a choice, choose to play baseball over other sports. It's just a matter of getting a glove and a bat into kids hands, that's obviously not happening for multiple reasons with black youngsters as frequently these days.

One thought I had, and I don't know how viable something like this is, it's just that, a thought. I would be impressed if MLB took the time and resources to invest in major urban areas in the same way that some teams have set up academies in Latin countries (though, not necessarily to that extent of course). Just some fields and leagues where there aren't any, it doesn't even need to be that formal.

As a fan of baseball I'd like the best athletes of all ethnicities to at least get the opportunity to play baseball (if not choose and focus on it, obviously) and that doesn't seem to be happening. I don't think it's a "problem," per se, but it's definitely not ideal, or the way anyone would like it to be. This is part of the reason that I'm really rooting for young black American stars like Ryan Howard and Carl Crawford, as trite as that may sound.

[StatmanCrothers]

As a man of a very mixed heritage, possessing a veritable slew of genetic abnormalities (nee "traits") that are normally "only" present in this race, that race, or a sub-species of rain forest reptiles, I can say with great certainty that I would very much, at this point in history, love to be able to watch a major league baseball game without worrying about whether a player with cloven hooves and/or a prehensile tail could succeed without being judged for his (or her) complete lack of moral fiber.

[Magneto]

I'm black, and I have to say, none of my friends growing up watched baseball. Baseball is like a after thought where I'm from. Nobody played it or cared about it. It was considered boring. We played B-Ball and Football. I always loved it, but no one else I knew did (except my brother and cousin). I think it has a lot to do with the culture too. Baseball doesn't really embrace the black culture like the other sports. It's more middle american and not really urban at all.

Whatever, either way, I love it.