Baseball, America’s pastime, has turned into more than just a fun game people gather with friends, compete, and have fun. Has baseball turned into a money issue where the players want more money than they can spend or else they do not play, or does the relationship of the owners of the franchises and players have something to do with these baseball strikes? In addition, it seems that the league is planning to put a “fifty percent luxury tax on the portions of payrolls above $98 million” and the players do not seem to like dealing with a luxury tax on their payroll. (“Owners Await” 1) Throughout the history of professional baseball, strikes have occurred and seasons have been canceled or cut short. Fans are not appreciating these strikes at all and are becoming impatient and frustrated with having to wander if they are or are not going to be able to watch pro baseball during the year. What ever happened to playing for the love of the game? These strikes occur because of bad relationships between owners and players, players wanting too much money, and the players not agreeing with the salary cap and luxury tax rules the league sets.

Also, the players and owners relationships have caused problems in the past with pro baseballs tribulations. What is it that the owners want? Steve Zipay tells us what the owners and players want and is fighting about in his article, “A Guide to Key Elements of the Looming Strike”:

The 28 owners are demanding a salary or payroll cap, similar to the ones in the NBA and NFL, or another system that will allow them to determine their labor costs. They proposed a sever-year deal that would split industry revenues 50-50 with the players, establish minimum and maximum payrolls, and guarantee a minimum of $1 billion yearly for player salaries. They also want to eliminate salary arbitration and reduce free- agency eligibility from six to four years, but give current clubs the right of first refusal to match offers for four- and five-year players. The union unanimously rejected that offer. (Zipay 1)

be a strike this year? It stands at 51% yes, 49% no. More disturbing, for baseball anyway, is the flagging

Major League Baseball’s labor dispute has hurt the game in more ways than one, according to this exclusive analysis. Hit ticket prices and bitter strike have left many Americans disgusted with baseball. New Stadiums and winning teams still boost attendance, but young people are losing interest. Baseball needs a strong boss and a new star, or it will soon become America’s ex-national pastime. (Dortch 1)

Some topics in this essay:
NBA NFL, Baseball America’s, League Baseball, League Baseball’s, Alex Rodriguez, Pete Rose, Baseball” Baseball’s, Giambi David, Major League, War“ CNN/SIcom, salary cap, major league, league baseball, game baseball, owners players, major league baseball, money players, players money, players owners, attracting fans, luxury tax, owners players players, players money players, players salary cap, america’s ex-national pastime,