MLB: Is Baseball a Dying Sport or Is It as Strong as Ever?

At one point in American history, baseball was equal to religion. From factories to steel mills, churches and schools, to small towns, large cities coast to coast, and on US military bases all over the world, there was rarely a place in our beautiful nation where baseball was not played or discussed.

But today baseball seems to be dying, at least in the eyes of some people. Some say America’s national past time is slowly and sadly fading from the limelight into the twilight of a fast-paced, multi-cultural, technology-driven society. Others contend that summer basketball, soccer, spring football and extreme sports have combined to mitigate baseball’s influence. Still others blame baseball’s demise on sedentary lifestyles brought about by technology. More kids sitting indoors at computers and playing video games means less little league enrollment forms at the city parks and recreation. Last, there are people who argue casual baseball fans have grown tired of the lack of parity in the game and have looked elsewhere for entertainment. Surely, this is evident in Baltimore, where debate constantly arises about the Orioles' place in the always tough American League East. How does a team like Baltimore compete in the same division as big market teams like New York and Boston? Mark Teixeira joining the Yankees instead of his hometown Orioles as a free agent really brought this reality to light.  

Yet another camp argues baseball is alive and well. These people argue baseball is strong. Baseball is resilient, and despite decades of change, controversy and a tough economy, baseball has gotten a second wind. Those who support the notion baseball is healthy point to several indicators. They say that despite brutal April weather last season, big league baseball still drew more than 77 million fans. Minor league ballpark gates swung open for 41 million people the same year. They also point to the fact 15 million kids around the country play amateur baseball each spring and summer. These figures do not account for steady growth within college baseball and professional baseball leagues overseas. Despite a tough economy, all economic signs point to a game that will continue to grow in 2012. This is even more evident with the emergence of a large crop of some of the most talented baseball players the game has seen in a single generation. With the steroid era behind the game and an extra playoff spot in the books, loyal baseball fans argue the game’s best days lie ahead.  

Both sides of the aisle have good arguments that leads to more questions. First, is the idea that baseball is dying the truth? Or is this a theory drummed up by individuals with agendas to promote their own sports?

If baseball is indeed dying as the first camp says, is it a geographic anomaly?  For example, while baseball continues to prosper in New York, Boston, and Los Angeles, is it fading elsewhere in America?

Take Detroit for example. Hockey is king. Many children push chairs around ice rinks on skates as soon as they can walk. Yet it seems baseball is still doing very well. The Tigers create a great draw each and every game. Yet in Baltimore, baseball faces several challenges. Not only is there AAU basketball, soccer, lacrosse and now spring football, but there is also a fan base that while still loyal, has endured two decades of losing seasons. Blend more choices with a poor product and is it just human for people to look elsewhere?

Or is there more to it than this? Is baseball simply fading in the face of a changing society? Has baseball fallen victim to a nation where fast paced, at-one’s-fingertips activity has crushed the iconic imagery of Americans reading kid-delivered newspapers over cups of hot coffee in the morning? Or is this game, a game that is a deeply engrained part of our nation’s fabric proving once again it is a resilient sport that continues to succeed despite changing times?

Lots of questions, but it is an important subject with great arguments on both sides. Baseball is one of the great traditions in our country, and we would be remissed if we did not discuss its future. As always, I am thankful for your taking time to read, and am curious to hear your thoughts on the matter.

James Morisette is the Founder and President of the Basebook Baseball Social Network (the ultimate funhouse for baseball fans worldwide): http://www.basebook.socialgo.com. James can be reached at [e-mail]