Extreme Makeover: Spring Training Edition

I have always suspected that something is wrong with Spring Training, and my fears came to life this week when Billy Crystal stepped into the New York Yankee's batting box.

What has Spring Training come to? 

Has Spring Training really become more of a show than what it's supposed to be: training?

There is something very wrong with the current format of the Spring Training season, and I aim to fix it. Here are the three rules of my Spring Training...

Obey All the Rules 

I couldn't resist...

But seriously, players who break MLB rules should be put through the same punishments as if they broke them in May or October.

(Not that they don't now, but I'm just saying...)

Let Rookies be Rookies 

There was a recent incident involving a rookie running into, and injuring a catcher. Now fans are mad because that catcher is a veteran, and supposedly should have been treated with a little more respect.

Please. Not in my Spring Training.

Everyone knows that when rookies and other players just up from the minors are invited to participate in their team's Spring Training, they are thrilled. They will give 110 percent on every pitch and on every time the ball is hit. 

I heard Mike Golic talk about NFL rookies the other day on Mike and Mike in the Morning. He said that sometimes the only way to get attention was to hit somebody so hard the coaches had to rewind the tape and watch it again.

The same principle should be allowed in Spring Training. There shouldn't be an unwritten rule that you should leave the vets alone. Let the rookies be rookies...and let them draw attention to themselves. For some, it may be the only chance they have to make the team.

Limit Games to Players Only 

Lots of fans had a good laugh when Billy Crystal went up to bat, with Robin Williams cheering behind him. I'm sure that the Yankees got some extra money (like they don't have enough) from the extra tickets sold for the special event. The fans had a good time, but I'm sick of it.

What's the purpose of Spring Training? To train, or to entertain? Should we rename the whole shebang? Does Spring Entertaining have the same ring to it? I don't think so.

Let the players concentrate on what they have to do: make the team, or get ready for the upcoming season.

The Crystal event by itself didn't hurt anybody, but it could open the floodgates for more celebrity appearances.