I’m writing today about something that has been burning in me for about a year now and I need to get it off my chest. I love the Chicago Cubs. I always have. Since we moved to Kansas City, it is hard to listen to or catch a game. Luckily for me, WGN radio broadcasts over the Internet, so I am able to listen to the games there. However, last year, Major Leage Baseball told all radio stations that they could no longer broadcast the games over the Internet. Why you ask, because MLB had their own plans for broadcasting the games, but not for free as the stations had done. The fee they would charge would be $10 for the season. Not a bad deal you say, and you’re right, but why is my question. Why not allow the stations to continue to broadcast the games as they had been? Why not support the games with ads? They went so far as to play dead silence between innings instead of play ads which could have easily supported the broadcasts.
Last year, in a furry, I sent an email to all of my friends telling them about this terrible plan and that they should stay away from it and send comments to MLB and express their disapproval of this new program. However, I urned out to be the biggest turncoat of them all. As the Cubs started their year off as one of the best in recent memory, I couldn’t take it and payed the $10. I then found out that the $10 did not include the pregame that was normally broadcast on WGN, although WGN was still prohibited from broadcasting it. I worked with people from MLB and WGN to try and get the pregame shows broadcast online since we get very little in depth coverage here in KC. As you may know, the Cubs turned in their usual end of season performance and didn’t get into the playoffs. I was willing to hang my head in shame at their performance and my capitulation with MLB and vow to let the matter drop. But, a few weeks ago I recieved an email from MLB telling me that I should act not to sign up for this season, and if I hurried, I could get it at the bargain price of $10, however, the regular price would be $15. So, even with internet broadcasts, MLB has followed the lead of the ballparks in their ever increasing chase of higher profits.
“Who cares?” you ask. I do for one. I see this as another sign of the decline of America’s game from what it once was, a family sport that could be enjoyed by all and bring the family closer together. I will never forget the first time that I went to Wrigley field to see the Cubs play. It was like being in a dream. The field was so green, the smells were so real, and I had to pinch myself to make sure that it was all real. I have 3 brothers and sisters, and I’m not sure what it cost my parents to take us all, but if we were to go today, we would spend almost $100 just to get in the door. And to make the experience complete, you have to have a hot dog and a coke. That will cost you another $30 at least. I know that I may sound like a curmugoney old complainer, but it saddens me that the game that I love and the America once called it’s one is now manifestint iteslf as a money hungry corpoaration that cares little for the fans or the accessibility of the game to the average American family.
So what now, if you feel that the new online broadcast policy of MLB is not a good way to bring the game to the fans, pleas send your comments to fanfeedback@website.mlb.com and be a silent bench warmer no more!