A Better Baseball Schedule

We have a sacred right to 162 games, so let's not start this venture with any heresy to the contrary. But we are stuck in a historical rut, and have a simple opportunity to invigorate the schedule and bring an increase of interest to the fans. (I only ask for a small percentage of the increase of ticket sales and Neilson ratings)

I will use America's team, the Braves, to lay out this plan. Differences in the leagues and divisions should find their individual solutions.

Division Play:

4 teams - 4 series (two home and two away) - 3 games per series: 48 games

League Play:

9 teams - 2 series (one home and one away) - 3 games per series: 54 games

Interleague Play:

14 American League Teams

2 series against each team (one home and one away) - 2 games per series: 56 games

This is a decrease in Division games to create opportunity across the remainder of the sport. In league and interleague play, each team plays one home series and one away series against every other team, an opportunity to provide a balanced strength of schedule with fans lining up to see new teams in town.

Play outside the Division is completely unbalanced, playing teams anywhere from 3 to 8 games, while your Division rival is playing the same teams anywhere from 8 to 3 games. Depending on who you are playing, one team receives an inappropriate soft-spot in the strength of schedule.

Interleague Play is currently based upon anticipated popularity and regional hoped-for rivalries. The result is a biased system - some teams Interleague battling against Yankees, while others get to feast on the Mets. The Win-Loss column is damaged and teams head into September with different strength of schedules even within their own Division.

Total 158 games - I suppose the 162 game schedule isn't so sacred after all. I believe the additional interest of the interleague games replacing the 24 yearly games between Milwaukee and Houston will cover the loss of the four games, as well as pave the time needed for Selig's 4th playoff round he's aiming for.

Balanced Schedule - Variety in Schedule - Opportunity for Fans to see Each Team

Make it happen.

Welcome

There exist distinct differences in opinion (or ought I say, 'facts') amidst the wide spectrum of Christendom. Spending a weekend with my frozen-chosen friend Mike brings these to light.

I am a sensible person, not prone to edginess or harshness. I have learned through time, talks, reading of history and hopefully the Spirit of God that much of our lives are the extensions of the precepts of men, even godly men; even myself.

I used to spend much time seeking a full and complete understanding of my faith and that of others, seeking to identify the differences, preparing to battle for the intellectual chalice of perfect doctrine.

Now I am more likely to meet out the root causes for the differences, to be more understanding. Contrary to the fears of the stalwarts, this journey has in general strengthened my comprehension of God, man and our connection.

That being said, at church with Mike this morning, as the Preacher forbade people who were not believers from participating in Communion, I was immediately irked, insulted at the barrier of participation built by man around God. He does not need our protection.

My immediate reaction was to refuse to join in Communion under such circumstances, participating with those who refused to participate with others. Fortunately, as the portions of bread and juice were passed from pew to pew, my hypocrisy was timely revealed, and I was reminded of my own belief that Communion is a welcoming table for all, including those who believe otherwise.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow I begin the first day of the rest of my life.

I am encouraged by the celebratory spirit of my friends when I announce the day upcoming. Some are interested in the journey, questioning and drawing out the circumstances that led to this life-change as well as the core of my personage that has been the underlying current leading me.

But all are supportive; and for one such as myself who struggles with guilt, with an overriding sense of responsibility towards those at Gaskins, who questions doing anything that brings me pleasure as being untrustworthy (as I am untrustworthy), this affirmation has been immensely helpful, specifically building a platform of excitement towards tomorrow rather than an alter of guilt towards leaving my past.

In an era of continuous personal humility, as one who has always prided himself as not being swayed by the opinions of those around me, I find myself seeking and absorbing the encouragement of others.