How I Would Fix It - MLB

How I would fix it - is a series of post on how I would make something better.  I am starting with different sports teams/leagues but it could be about anything.

 Here are the changes I would make to MLB.
1. Fix the TV viewing experience. Baseball on TV is 65% watching the pitcher, 20% watching players adjust themselves and spit, 10% watching the mascot run the bases in a hot dog uniform and 5% actual live action with players hitting and running around the bases. The screen needs to look like a world series of poker event. Show the strike out and hitting percentages that update with each pitch. Super-impose a strike zone box with ball tracking. Show ERA and "chance of run scored this inning" stats. Not only would it be better to watch, it will make the stat nerds happy.

2. Only show games with relevant teams. Whether or not a game is televised depends on the winning percentage of the teams. If both teams combine percentage is under 50% show another game. Nothing is worse than Astros at the Nationals.

3. More teams need to make the playoffs. Even adding another wild-card team would help. Make the 2 wild-cards play each other  in a best 2 of 3 in order to get the 4th spot.  Any tie breaks would go to the team that won the head-to-head in the regular season.  This would also decide home field for the wild play in.

4. The NL and the AL should have the same rules.  I mean seriously, how is this not done yet?

5. The all star game will no longer decide home field advantage in the world series.  I mean seriously, how is this not done yet?

6. No male over 12 should be allowed to take their glove to the ball park.

sad, very, very sad

7.  Put all the games on the radio.  Baseball is magical on the radio.  I don't know why, but it is the only sport that is better on the radio.  Let people live stream the audio on their phones and computers.  I spent a hour looking for the Yankees opening day on the radio, never found it.  That is unacceptable.
 
That is what I've got.  Next "how I'd fix it" will be about the NBA, hopefully I can get it out soon.  Thanks for the read.

How I would fix it - the NHL

How I would fix it is a series of post on how I would make something better.  I am starting with different sports teams/leagues but it could be about anything.  So without keeping you waiting.... here it goes.

How I would fix the NHL.  If I woke up tomorrow and I was the commissioner, these are the changes I would make.

1.  Move half of the teams to Canada.  The sport needs to focus on the markets that care about hockey.  Right now there are 30 teams, only 6 of them are in Canada.  Which is crazy since every game in Canada would sell out and be watched by a much larger % of Canadians than Americans.  Keep the traditional teams in the North East and the Great Lakes regions along with a few teams in the largest US markets like LA, Dallas, Denver, etc.

2. Divide the divisions along national lines so that every Stanley Cup would be USA vs Canada.  Which would probably triple the Stanley Cup ratings overnight.  Plus the All-Star game would be must watch since it would be like 2010 Olympic championship game.

3. Put your best Hockey game of the week on a Sunday afternoon and show it nationally.  Other than that focus on regional broadcasts and selling pay per view / NHL TV channel for the games to hockey fanatics.

4. Find a new camera angle so that viewers don't lose the puck along the boards for 25% of every game.  Hockey is the only sport where a wall blocks the viewer from the action.

5. People go bonkers for the 1 outdoor game a year.  Bump it up by 3 games a year and see if it is still successful.  Or try the All-Star game outdoors.

6. Bring back the Whalers, the logos are just too awesome not to exist.

Hartford Whalers 1972? Logo

That is what I've got.  Next "how I'd fix it" will be about MLB, hopefully I can get it out soon.  Thanks for the read.

If I better understood economics, would I still do the dishes?

If I better understood economics, would I still do the dishes?  I added it up today and I spend about 30 - 45 minutes twice a week doing the dishes.  Which is fine, since they have to be done.  But I noticed that most of the things that get put in the dishwasher are cups, plates, and bowls.  All of which I could buy in throw away / recyclable form.  If I were to value my time at say $12 a hour then I am spending $60 in time washing dishes every month.  Some things can't be bought and thrown out (pots, pans, etc), but that is only about 20% of what I wash.  The other 80% is disposable.  So as long as I don't spend more than $48 a month on throw out items, that is what I should be doing.  Assuming I could spend about $12 to get all the cups, plates, and bowls I would need for the month, that leaves me with about $36 in extra time.  My big concern is that buying all the throw aways would definitely grow my environmental footprint.  But, I could donate the money to a foundation to plant trees (and get a tax deduction).  The point is I could do something of value to me, instead of scrubbing.  Just a thought.

The magic hour

From mid April through mid October something magic happens in Austin.  Just when the last rays of sun leave the horizon, it begins.  The sky begins to lose its color as it fades to deep navy in the east.  The bats billow out from under their bridge and rise into the air like wisps of smoke.  Crickets and birds both add their unique chirps to the evening symphony.  The first nocturnal breeze dances across the back of your neck.  Faces and familiar shapes grow mysterious and more beautiful.  You drink in the magic hour and you wish it would last.