How to Fix Olympic Baseball
Here I am enjoying the first game of Olympic baseball in 2008. It saddens me the sport, along with softball, is going away after this Olympics. The reason why is because the best players around the world are playing in MLB. The solution to the problem is simple. Take an Olympic break like hockey does for the winter Olympics.
That’s all it would take is a simple two week break in baseball to have the best players play for their countries instead of the MLB. The baseball standings won’t be affected.
Teams shouldn’t mind because the odds of being injured in Olympic play are a lot smaller, or at the very least the same.
It gives those with current injuries more time to recover, and those injured players could come back and contribute to a team in September.
Playoffs are really short in baseball which is a good thing, but two weeks extra during October or into November doesn’t bug me one bit. Baseball could become more competitive with star players coming back from injuries.
Publicity could be improved across the board. A small country could be a surprise in the Olympics, or vice-versa.
MLB could gather more publicity because the USA could come back from the Olympics with a gold medal. Players with certain countries might increase attendance for some teams when they come back.
Most importantly baseball would gather the most publicity because the best players from around the world would play for their individual countries. The MLB only allows prospects in the minors to play in the Olympics instead of the very best. Most of the world doesn’t get a chance to see the MLB.
I know baseball has attempted to create its own Olympics with the World Baseball Classic. As much as I like the idea it’s just not the same as playing in the Olympics. The World Baseball Classic is more limited in terms of teams as compared to the Olympics.
The atmosphere is totally different. Athletes are surrounded by fellow athletes from around the world for example.
Players aren’t at full strength since the World Baseball Classic is played during Spring Training as opposed towards the Olympics usually being played in August.
Psychologically players could come back refreshed getting the chance to play for their country and be in better mental shape.
A two week break is a small price to pay to see the best players compete with each other on the Olympic stage. Then what baseball should do is play the World Baseball classic every two years when the winter Olympics are on. That keeps baseball on the world’s minds.