The Kanj improves perfection.

With the upcoming 2010 meetings that Bud Selig is holding to improve baseball, and suggestions by others, here are my thoughts:

Improving the on-field game:

1. Train umpires within MLB. Currently MLB rely on 'sub-contractors' to train the umps. For a game that relies on umpires in all facets (time keeping, decisions, etc) they should be 100% responsible for the quality of the officials.

2. Replays in regular season - Not required. Umpires make mistakes. Improve the quality of the umps and mistakes will be reduced.

3. Replays in post season. - I would suggest this for homeruns, and scoring plays at the plate only. Balls/strikes and other plays not subject to instant replay.

Off-field game:

1. Zero-tolerance performance enhancing drug policy. Not a 3 strike and you're out rule. No 50 game bans. It's like a first pitch weak popup to the shortstop. You're caught, you're out, and you're out.

2. Reinstate baseball's best hitter, Pete Rose.

3. Reinstate "Shoeless" Joe Jackson.

4. Regulate how often a team can change their logo/uniform/name. Sure the changes are good for merchandise revenues, however an ever-changing uniform also causes fan-frustration. Keep it consistent.

5. Institute an MLB wide “Road Trip Season Ticket” which would allow fans to entry to any regular season game at any park (This can be sold by Division, League or all of MLB) Details of consecutive visits, maximum visits to each park to be discussed, but in principle a FANtastic idea!

6. Have the ‘World Baseball Classic’ every 4 years, in March.

7. Interleague games cause schedules to be unbalanaced. Reserve this for preseason only. End Spring Training with a home/away series against closest rivals.

Regular Season Scheduling:

Two 15 team leagues each with 3 divisions of 5 teams each.

Balanced schedule to be 142 games made up of:
a) 1 home and 1 away series against each of the 10 non-division teams (1 series at 3 games, 1 series at 4 games against each team) = 70 games

b) 3 home and 3 away series against 4 division rivals (each series to be 3 games long) = 72 games

Mandatory double headers each season. 1 at home, 1 away.

Playoffs to remain as is.

All Star Game:

Scrap the All-Star Game and create an elimination tournament made up of 16 teams to be played during the regular season. Call it the "Jackie Robinson Memorial"

At the start of each season designate 16 teams made up of players by country or origin. (This should include players with less than 2 years in professional experience and players from the minors, from anywhere in the world.)

With a schedule reduced from 162 games, no MLB games should take place during the "Jackie Robinson Memorial".

Tournament Layout:

First week of April – a draw to determine the first round, and bracket, similar to how FIFA draw the World Cup teams.

First week of May – Round 1, a best of 3 series (all 3 games must be played). 16 teams reduce to 8

First week of June – Round 2, a best of 3 series (all 3 games must be played) 8 teams become 4

First week of July – Round 3, a best of 3 series (all 3 games must be played) 4 teams become 2

First week of August – Final Round. Both teams play best of 3 (3rd game if necessary) and a champion is crowned.

This memorial tournament is an opportunity to reflect on the history/traditions/ and future of the game. It will build interest in the developing players from various countries AND for players from different farm teams.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.