Guest Article - "Money Ball"

No, I am not talking about Billy Beane. I am talking about the way ownership throughout both leagues seek to make $$$ out of every possible nook & cranny in their respective parks. Have you noticed in the last couple of years how our sacred ball fields have become to resemble the coveralls on a NASCAR driver rather than a ball park? Every possible place they can put advertisement seem to be covered. While the batter is swinging an ad scrolls or turns over in the background. When an outfielder is making a play more ads are flipping behind him. The Red Sox placed Coke bottles on the beloved Green Monster. Can you imagine what fans would have thought in 1967 if they went in & saw Coke bottles? I understand that you need money to pay salaries, keep up the field, and most importantly keep the owners happy. The owners would blame salaries but they have no one to blame except themselves when it comes to overpaying for mediocre players. Many professional sports have imposed salary caps to protect the owners from themselves. It is what it is. Money is the boss. If we have to desecrate our shrines to make more of it, so be it. Too bad! (Author Steve B.)