Who owns MLB stats?

Who owns an rbi?  Or a save?  The ownership of major league baseball stats is coming into question in the guise of Intellectual Property.  I ran across an article on CNN last week in which a St Louis based company is asking a judge to stop the MLB from requiring licenses in order to use … Continue reading “Who owns MLB stats?”

Who owns an rbi?  Or a save? 

The ownership of major league baseball stats is coming into question in the guise of Intellectual Property.  I ran across an article on CNN last week in which a St Louis based company is asking a judge to stop the MLB from requiring licenses in order to use major league stats. 

CBC Distribution and Marketing argues that MLB stats are part of “history” and not property of the MLB and not subject to licensing. 

Hardball Times has a good article detailing the core points around the issue. 

According to HT’s article, fantasy baseball is a $1 billion business and MLB may want to cash in on some of that.

Cha-ching!

Details from HT’s article:

On Jan. 19, 2005, MLB Advanced Media and the MLB Players Association announced a historic agreement via press release:

The five-year agreement, valued in excess of $50 million, extends beyond the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement between Major League Baseball and the MLBPA. It provides MLBAM the exclusive rights to use, and to sublicense to others, Major League Baseball player group rights for the development and creation of on-line games, all other online content, including fantasy baseball and interactive games, as well as all wireless applications including cell-phone enabled games.

Like it or not, one can hardly blame the MLB.  It’s the logical next step for them to take.  That said, this could have big (and costly) implications for Internet-based companies that run fantasy leagues. 

Let’s hope the MLB doesn’t bite the hand that feeds them.

 

Bringing Baseball to Vietnam

MLB reliever Danny Graves has had a busy winter.  Or more accurately, a busy summer since he was in Vietnam. He’s been there as part of program called “Bringing Baseball to Vietnam” co-sponsored and funded by Major League Baseball.  Graves has helped build a park at Le Loi High School in Dong Ha Town.  Graves left … Continue reading “Bringing Baseball to Vietnam”

MLB reliever Danny Graves has had a busy winter.  Or more accurately, a busy summer since he was in Vietnam.

He’s been there as part of program called “Bringing Baseball to Vietnam” co-sponsored and funded by Major League Baseball.  Graves has helped build a park at Le Loi High School in Dong Ha Town. 

Graves left Vietnam at the age of 14 months and never returned until just recently to help with the project.

 

An Inside Look at the Sausage Races

Anyone who has seen the Brewers at home has witnessed the Sausage Race.  I know I have.  It’s something you don’t forget.  Jay Jaffe, creator of the Futility Infielder website and an author at Baseball Prospectus gives his inside perspective of the Sausage Race which he actually got to participate.    Jay’s account of his experience on Baseball Analysts … Continue reading “An Inside Look at the Sausage Races”

Anyone who has seen the Brewers at home has witnessed the Sausage Race.  I know I have.  It’s something you don’t forget. 

Jay Jaffe, creator of the Futility Infielder website and an author at Baseball Prospectus gives his inside perspective of the Sausage Race which he actually got to participate. 

 

Jay’s account of his experience on Baseball Analysts is quite humorous.  Worth a read.

 

A Royals Blog to check out

The Pine Tar Rag, aside from having a very clever name, covers today’s Royals as well as celebrating their past successes.  Maybe it’s me but I enjoy baseball websites that remember its history.  This one does.  

The Pine Tar Rag, aside from having a very clever name, covers today’s Royals as well as celebrating their past successes. 

Maybe it’s me but I enjoy baseball websites that remember its history.  This one does.

 

Team Player

Felipe Alou is toying with the idea of batting Barry Bonds second in the Giants’ lineup.  Barry doesn’t see it happening that way.  Quoth Barry,  ”I am going to speak with Felipe, because at this point in my career it doesn’t work for me to be the second bat.” Barry Bonds, always the team player. … Continue reading “Team Player”

Felipe Alou is toying with the idea of batting Barry Bonds second in the Giants’ lineup.  Barry doesn’t see it happening that way. 

Quoth Barry,

 ”I am going to speak with Felipe, because at this point in my career it doesn’t work for me to be the second bat.”

Barry Bonds, always the team player.

 

Sox Fantasy Camp

DonS’ brother Kevin is taking part in the 2006 Sox Fantasy Camp in Tucson, AZ this week.  Not only that, he’s documenting his efforts on a web site complete with photos and videos. On Tuesday Kevin says, I woke as sore as I have ever felt. It is because of the starting and stopping while … Continue reading “Sox Fantasy Camp”

DonS’ brother Kevin is taking part in the 2006 Sox Fantasy Camp in Tucson, AZ this week.  Not only that, he’s documenting his efforts on a web site complete with photos and videos.

On Tuesday Kevin says,

I woke as sore as I have ever felt. It is because of the starting and stopping while running, I believe.

…or maybe it’s because you’re over-the-hill, Kev. ;-)

Just joking, Kevin.  I envy you, I really do.  Have fun, buddy!!

Baseball Analysts’ Top 75 Prospects

In case you missed it, Bryan Smith from Baseball Analysts names his top 75 prospects for 2006. A sneak preview… here are the top 5: 1.  Delmon Young 2.  Jeremy Hermida 3.  Brandon Wood 4.  Prince Fielder 5.  Francisco Liriano  

In case you missed it, Bryan Smith from Baseball Analysts names his top 75 prospects for 2006.

A sneak preview… here are the top 5:

1.  Delmon Young

2.  Jeremy Hermida

3.  Brandon Wood

4.  Prince Fielder

5.  Francisco Liriano

 

The Decline of Urban Baseball

The number of African Americans in baseball peaked at 175 amongst 25 teams back in 1975. Today, there are 90 spread across 30 teams. Putting aside the fact this article by James Harris quotes both Joe Morgan and Charles Barkley (not two of my favorite statesmen), “Baseball? That Ain’t Hood” is still an interesting read.

The number of African Americans in baseball peaked at 175 amongst 25 teams back in 1975. Today, there are 90 spread across 30 teams. Putting aside the fact this article by James Harris quotes both Joe Morgan and Charles Barkley (not two of my favorite statesmen), “Baseball? That Ain’t Hood” is still an interesting read.