All-Star Break Boredom Poll - MLB Expansion

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

For those of you concerned about population base, I checked the most recent population statistics and every one of these cities listed is in a metropolitan area that is more populous than the smallest market currently in MLB (which is Milwaukee). The Latin American cities are all very large so they'd definitely have the people, but realistically it would be a challenge for them to support teams financially against the US teams. I'm pretty amused that Havana is leading the poll right now since I listed it just for a laugh. I expect the communist government would have be overthrown before Havana could even be considered for expansion.

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

duan wrote: Edgy DC wrote: I voted San Juan and Norfolk, but Duan has me utterly convinced that true expansion means switching to a system of promotion/relegation. That, at least in theory, would be expanding everywhere. That's the future. You're not wrong there.

I've pondered a promotion/relegation system for MLB (and the NHL) myself. I think it would work well, eventually, but it would have to start by totally dismantling the farm system and making it so that none of the current major league teams have any players under contract beyond their 40-man roster.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I think your crazy relegation/promotion might be fun but feel it'd be next to impossible to implement: Owners would never go for it, everything would need to be negotiated with the union etc etc. But if has a shot it starts by getting a real believer/reformer in the commissioner's chair when Selig finally steps aside in 2014.

Better start advocating.

[MFS62]

To quote Jim Bouton "Vancouver Damn Mountie".
And I always like the Havana Sun Kings of the IL. The last major leaguer I remember who played for them was Vic Davalillo.

Later

[Edgy MD]

Mets � Willets Point wrote: For those of you concerned about population base, I checked the most recent population statistics and every one of these cities listed is in a metropolitan area that is more populous than the smallest market currently in MLB (which is Milwaukee). The Latin American cities are all very large so they'd definitely have the people, but realistically it would be a challenge for them to support teams financially against the US teams. I'm pretty amused that Havana is leading the poll right now since I listed it just for a laugh. I expect the communist government would have be overthrown before Havana could even be considered for expansion.

My feeling is that poor people support sports. And while they won't pay, on average, what Bostonians will pay for a ticket, poor folks in Boston occasionally get to the game, too.

If you get a San Juan team folks can bet behind, even at $3 a ticket, that's success. And as the NBA has proven, you make a sport popular enough with people struggling to make ends meet, the ones with money will come out too --- to prove they're down with the people and, by gobbling up expensive seats, to show they're better.

[Ceetar]

Edgy DC wrote: If you get a San Juan team folks can bet behind, even at $3 a ticket, that's success. And as the NBA has proven, you make a sport popular enough with people struggling to make ends meet, the ones with money will come out too --- to prove they're down with the people and, by gobbling up expensive seats, to show they're better.

Be difficult to field even a 50-100 million dollar payroll at $3 a seat though initially.

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

Edgy DC wrote: Mets � Willets Point wrote: For those of you concerned about population base, I checked the most recent population statistics and every one of these cities listed is in a metropolitan area that is more populous than the smallest market currently in MLB (which is Milwaukee). The Latin American cities are all very large so they'd definitely have the people, but realistically it would be a challenge for them to support teams financially against the US teams. I'm pretty amused that Havana is leading the poll right now since I listed it just for a laugh. I expect the communist government would have be overthrown before Havana could even be considered for expansion. My feeling is that poor people support sports. And while they won't pay, on average, what Bostonians will pay for a ticket, poor folks in Boston occasionally get to the game, too. If you get a San Juan team folks can bet behind, even at $3 a ticket, that's success. And as the NBA has proven, you make a sport popular enough with people struggling to make ends meet, the ones with money will come out too --- to prove they're down with the people and, by gobbling up expensive seats, to show they're better.

I don't disagree with that, and I expect a Latin American team would have avid support, but teams today don't bring in the money through selling tickets. They have cable TV deals and lucrative sponsorships and the like. That's where I'd see a Latin American city being at a disadvantage even if they sell out all of their games.

[Edgy MD]

I don't know. Maybe. But I see broadcast rights being sold throughout the Caribbean, big-time resort sponsors coming on board to reach the tourist market, and the team becoming a home team of sorts to the Spanish-speaking Caribbean diaspora in the US, who will subscribe to cable and internet packages to follow their team.

[Ceetar]

Edgy DC wrote: I don't know. Maybe. But I see broadcast rights being sold throughout the Caribbean, big-time resort sponsors coming on board to reach the tourist market, and the team becoming a home team of sorts to the Spanish-speaking Caribbean diaspora in the US, who will subscribe to cable and internet packages to follow their team.

The Marlins would HATE that.

would resort sponsors come on board? being that the broadcasts will be to the people already down there, would you reach the tourist market? I could seem them preferring to spend money for a spot on SNY to get New Yorkers to come down to see the Mets on the road more so.

[Edgy MD]

I don't know. If you work hard at your business, yeah. You're a Met fan down in San Juan watching the Mets play Los Azucareros. You see a giant billboard to come stay at the San Royale, you think, "You know, maybe that's better than the shithole I'm staying in --- La Cucaracha --- and maybe more affordable than I thought. I'm new at this Caribbean travel thing, but I'd like to come back, maybe bring the family some time. Hey, maybe I can do some dining and gambling over there tonight!"

And yeah, if they're selling broadcast rights to cable carriers or Univision or Telemundo or something, they can include ads for fans in the US to hop aboard Jet Blue and be in the sunny Caribe, home of the Los Azucareros.

Dream it and see it through.

[Guest Swan Swan H]

Ceetar wrote: Edgy DC wrote: I don't know. Maybe. But I see broadcast rights being sold throughout the Caribbean, big-time resort sponsors coming on board to reach the tourist market, and the team becoming a home team of sorts to the Spanish-speaking Caribbean diaspora in the US, who will subscribe to cable and internet packages to follow their team. The Marlins would HATE that. would resort sponsors come on board? being that the broadcasts will be to the people already down there, would you reach the tourist market? I could seem them preferring to spend money for a spot on SNY to get New Yorkers to come down to see the Mets on the road more so.

It's not just for locals. When FMan or cooby, for example, listens to a Mets-San Juan game on MLB.tv or radio, they will often get the other team's broadcasters. They may not play commercials, but every pitching change and home run promotion sponsored by a resort does get get broadcast.

There is also stadium signage that will be seen by fans of the visiting team whenever they play the San Juan club. The Marlins, I believe, have had a resort advertising behind the plate for years.

[MFS62]

I saw the all-star game when I was in Aruba a few years ago. There was only one tv station. They only had one commercial - for Aruba tourism. And if you watched the entire game, you saw it over 20 times.

Later

[Guest themetfairy]

Vegas. Simply for the road trip possibilities.

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

Edgy has totally got me ready to invest in his San Juan expansion team project.

[seawolf17]

MFS62 wrote: I saw the all-star game when I was in Aruba a few years ago. There was only one tv station. They only had one commercial - for Aruba tourism. And if you watched the entire game, you saw it over 20 times. Later

That's pretty funny, but if you're watching it on Aruba TV, then maybe they missed their market. Aren't you already there?

[Frayed Knot]

I think the scoreboard in Caracas would be interesting.
It could show: Runs - HIts - Errors - Kidnappings

[metsmarathon]

themetfairy wrote: Vegas. Simply for the road trip possibilities.

then i propose an alternative... the bermuda shorts. not so much a road trip, but a boat trip is pretty nice as well.

[Guest themetfairy]

metsmarathon wrote: Vegas. Simply for the road trip possibilities. then i propose an alternative... the bermuda shorts. not so much a road trip, but a boat trip is pretty nice as well.

Perfect - that's my second location!

Added benefit - Bermuda is only a 2-hour flight from NYC

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

I don't think Bermuda has a flat, grassy space large enough to hold a baseball field.

[metsmarathon]

float it. how awesome would that be?

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

metsmarathon wrote: float it. how awesome would that be?

So they'd play on a cruise ship? They could bring their ballpark to New York for road trips.

[metsmarathon]

some sort of large, sea-worthy platform. perhaps a modified cruse ship or a carrier. something that's massive and stable enough to damp out any waves, and which can also carry the requisite number of people. it would be a massive tourist attraction all by itself. a wonder of the world, if you will.

[Edgy MD]

Mets � Willets Point wrote: I don't think Bermuda has a flat, grassy space large enough to hold a baseball field.

My cousin Chris and a bunch of other Long Islanders started a Bermudan National Lacrosse League. Got to represent Bermuda in the World Championships.

I've never been, but they must practice somewhere.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Another consideration for those about to rock Havana (like me), Mexico City, San Juan, or anywhere else Caribbean or semi-Caribbean: you're laying down a franchise who'll spend about 2/3 of their season looking over their shoulder at the Atlantic hurricane season.

[Ceetar]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Another consideration for those about to rock Havana (like me), Mexico City, San Juan, or anywhere else Caribbean or semi-Caribbean: you're laying down a franchise who'll spend about 2/3 of their season looking over their shoulder at the Atlantic hurricane season.

Aruba? They're always clear of the hurricanes right?

I like the floating stadium idea though.

or...

underground! you walk through an underground 'aquarium' to get into the place. The field is actually BELOW sea level. The LF wall is thick solid glass and you can take the underwater tour and watch an inning with SCUBA gear from under water.

Of course, it'd probably have to be named Google Field to have the money to build it, but it's worth it. This might be a better idea in New Orleans than in the middle of the ocean though. Plus drainage would be a bitch when it rains.

[Guest themetfairy]

Mets � Willets Point wrote: I don't think Bermuda has a flat, grassy space large enough to hold a baseball field.

The soccer stadium can double up.

[ashie62]

Nashville and Las Vegas.

[Valadius]

Surprised Austin and Orlando aren't on here.

Irrespective of realignment, I'm inclined to move the A's to Sacramento (they have their AAA club there already) and expand to Austin and either Portland or Orlando.

[TransMonk]

Oklahoma City?

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

themetfairy wrote: Mets � Willets Point wrote: I don't think Bermuda has a flat, grassy space large enough to hold a baseball field. The soccer stadium can double up.

I recall now that I attended the Bermuda Cup at the St. George's Cricket Club. I suppose they could adapt that to baseball.