Rob Manfred has stated that he will be focused on the long term as the new commissioner of Major League Baseball. Manfred has worked for MLB since 1998 and has negotiated the last three agreements with the MLB Players Association.
Manfred ascended to Chief Operating Officer and led the Biogenesis investigation, which gave him the gravitas and credibility needed for the top post in the game.
Long Haul and Kids
“The one thing that I’m most excited about, and I think may be the most important for the game over the long haul, is a focus on kids,” said Manfred. “We have to have more kids, period, playing the game. We have to have more of the best athletes playing the game in order to keep our product compelling on the field.”
Manfred intends for MLB to be much more involved in amateur baseball, ranging from Little League through NCAA Baseball. He intends to design ideas that will attract more kids to MLB games.
Merging Baseball with Society
Manfred has correctly raised concerns about the pace of baseball being compatible with today’s fast paced society. He wants to merge technology to make the game as fan friendly as possible both at the ball park and at home. He hopes to enhance the game experience with the maximum amount of available information and technology.
Today’s Different Fans
Baseball has a statistically older fan base as evidenced by its shrinking television ratings and the loss of prestige of the World Series. But Manfred does point out that 5.7 million people per day visit the MLB AtBat app with an average age of 30. Manfred correctly points out that interest in baseball remains high but that the game is consumed differently than in the past.
Stepping Back after Stepping Out
In recent years there has been a scoring drop in MLB games as pitchers are again dominating. Manfred came out swinging for more offense with an interesting idea about banning defensive shifts. There was an immediate outcry from traditionalists that ripped the idea as dumbing down the game by eliminating defensive strategy. Manfred has since backed off but his idea did demonstrate a commissioner that is not lacking imagination.
Future Issues
Manfred will have to decide whether or not Pete Rose will be allowed back into the game. With the All Star Game in Cincinnati this year it will be a hot topic of debate.
Manfred says that he sees no change to the current designated hitter rule being only in the American League. Although Manfred sees a day in which Montreal could get a franchise someday, he also sees no expansion in the foreseeable future.
Manfred also does think that day time World Series games merit consideration.
