Baseball: MLB Interleague Play

Just curious about everyone's views on interleague play in baseball.

Personally, I like it. I like to see the Phillies play other teams and play in different ballparks. It's also interesting to see them with a designated hitter, and it shows. Last night they lost to the WhiteSox 14-11 and tonight the Phillies are won 13-10, alot of offense but it's fun to watch.

I also think it's good to boost attendance at the ballpark. Alot of people will go to games to see teams they dont usually see. I'm going next week when the KC Royals are in town. I'd be willing to bet that attendance is up for the couple weeks that they have interleague play.



So, what's your view on interleague play???

It was neat when it started, but it ruined the aspect of the World Series. 2 teams that play each other so rarely, that presidents are born and died before they play 2 series together.

The nostalgia has worn off. With Sosa and Big Mac going after the home run title that was a big boost and since they were both in the NL, that worked out great.

I say can it. I say make the umps call balls and strikes by the books. Its just as fun to watch 18 K's as it is a home run, and they last longer.

I would love to see Randy Johnson pitch 9 shutout innings with 27 K's than see Barry Bonds take 3 walks and jack a homer.

2 Perfect games going into the 9th inning. Can someone break the deadlock so the bullpen is not responsible for losing the game??? Now that is excitement.

I'd have to say that I like the interleague play. You get to see teams that normally would never come to town , but also I agree that it has started to wear off and now they are almost like normal games now.

As for the attendance, I suppose it would be a boost, but I'm not sure it would be that much of a boost, only die-hard fans of the other team would show up during interleague play and not on any other days.

I don't thyink that it ruins the World Series either. It is so rare that the two teams that play each other in thwe world Series had already played during interleague play so it makes no difference. The World Series can't be ruined it is the best of the game.

i don't mind interleague play, however they need to switch the batting rules around during interleague games. for example the braves are in detroit this week, they should use the NL rules where the pitcher bats, to give the Detroit fans the opportunity to see their pitchers strike out. and when in an NL park use the DH so the NL fans can see the AL DH bat. other than that i like interleague play, it's something different and i don't have to see the braves play the expos 1000 times a year.

Originally posted by aegis fang
they need to switch the batting rules around during interleague games. for example the braves are in detroit this week, they should use the NL rules where the pitcher bats, to give the Detroit fans the opportunity to see their pitchers strike out. and when in an NL park use the DH so the NL fans can see the AL DH bat.

I like that suggestion alot, that would definitely be good for the fans especially since each team plays 2 series at home and 2 on the road vs the other league. Anyone care to write to Bud Selig?

Originally posted by ProudAmerican

Originally posted by aegis fang
they need to switch the batting rules around during interleague games. for example the braves are in detroit this week, they should use the NL rules where the pitcher bats, to give the Detroit fans the opportunity to see their pitchers strike out. and when in an NL park use the DH so the NL fans can see the AL DH bat.

I like that suggestion alot, that would definitely be good for the fans especially since each team plays 2 series at home and 2 on the road vs the other league. Anyone care to write to Bud Selig?

I like this idea too. Give the fans something they dont' see every day.

Isn't Bud registered on Sportz?

Thats a great idea. I never really thought about that. It would give the pitchers an oppertunity to swing for the fences at home, and the NL to watch their team play a better hitting lineup where they don't have to woory about taking the pitcher out late to have a pinch hitter.

Here's another take on interleague play -

story link

Looks like Selig likes it a lot, and the attendence was boosted last year by 12.4%, so it's here to stay, like it or not.

I actaully dont like interleague play at all? Basbeall started the league with playing NL vs NL and AL vs AL, and the AL only played teh NL in the world series, that is how it should be why make the change when it has worked this long? it doesnt make sense.

ALso i think that most of yet even all should take this up. why have separate conferences if you play every team, isnt the conferences supposed to divide up the teams and have them play each other not everybody? Every league/ sport should just play in their own conference.

Personally, I would like everybody to play every other team an equal number of times in their conference, and have every teeam play one game against every team in the other conference. The way it is now, two teams that are about the same in the standings can end up with different results, because one team can often get to play like the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees, while the other team could get to play the Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa BAy Devil Rays. If the teams played every team in the other conference one time, then in would only take 15 games out of a schedule of 162 or so. Also if you are a fan of a team in the other league, you are guarenteed that they play the team where you live.

Originally posted by Ben
I actaully dont like interleague play at all? Basbeall started the league with playing NL vs NL and AL vs AL, and the AL only played teh NL in the world series, that is how it should be why make the change when it has worked this long? it doesnt make sense.

Everything changes in time. Interleague is good for bb. It's a chance for one city to see the other league. fans agree, as interleague attendance beats non interleague games. As far as it ruining the WS, nah. Look at spring training where the AL and NL play each other alot. Hasn't ruined a WS yet has it? And besides, you only play 3 games against a team. It has no effect.