The All-Star Game

[DOUGHBOYS]

'The baseball All-Star Game has drawn a record-low national television rating for the second straight year.
The American League's 4-2 victory over the NL in San Diego on Tuesday night got a 5.4 rating on Fox. The previous low was 6.6 last year for the game in Cincinnati.'.......

The baseball All-Star game is still the best and most watched All-Star game of the four major sports.
That's not saying much though. The other three sports almost give up playing defense in their games.
Let's face it, the All-Star game will never be the same.
With interleague play a natural now, the magic of seeing Trout vs. Harper pales in seeing Mantle vs. Mays.
Players also do not have allegiances to their leagues.
They sign for the highest dollars, no matter the league.

As much as MLB has tried to say "This game means something", it doesn't.
Half of the players involved are already out of the pennant race.
The players who do have clubs involved in the pennant race know that they have to qualify for the playoffs first, before going through their own league gaintlets to get to the World Series.
Cleveland has the best record in the American League.
Their fans don't come to their own games let alone celebrate a possible home field advantage.

So, what's the answer?
Change the format, maybe?
U.S. vs. the World?
East vs. West?
Doesn't sound all that great either.
The timing is hard to change.
Players wouldn't be ready before the season.
After the season, players just want to go home or to the playoffs.

I believe that the All-Star game will remain what it is.
The wonder of seeing the best players on one field is missing. Technology has made all these players as familiar as our hometown players.
It is more of an awards show type of entertainment than sports viewing.
Each player trying to sing their hit in reminding folks why they are there.
And less and less folks will be interested.

[NorCalAtlFan]

i haven't watched the all star game since I was 12 and hoping to see dale murphy go yard

but at least back then, it was more valuable:P or special

it doesn't mean jack shit now and sadly has gone the route of the nba/nfl/nhl all star games.

which is fine for many folks.

i still hope they have an all star game. if for nothing else, allowing me/us to decompress and have a couple of days angst free.

i think kj mentioned, it allows a little ff prep too. which is nice.

[ToddZ]

Expanding the Home Run Derby to a skills competition would really cool.

Having races, throwing competitions, etc.

I'd like to see a stolen base competition where there was a pitcher and a catcher and maybe 5 runners per team - pitcher holds the runner on, somehow work it so the catcher can't cheat his throw quicker and see which team steals more bases.

[DOUGHBOYS]

In that same vein, I would like to see accuracy contests with pitchers and outfielders arms.

Also a place hitting contest. Broadcasters always tell us that a hitter meant to hit a hole.
Here, they would be able to prove it.

But, I believe teams and the players union would put the kabosh on those sort of activities.

[Bjs2025]

I didn't Really watch any part of the All-Star game and at least from my point of you I never will as long as fans determine the rosters. Half of the players on each team do not deserve to be starting and are not the best players out there given position, making the game meaningless and a joke to me. As long as fans construct the rosters I will have absolutely no interest.