Inter-League Play

I've spent many a work day bored out of my mind in my office and pondering ways to make Major League Baseball better. I do this so when I finally become commissioner I won't have to waste any time. This idea may need some convincing, but I like it and if you look at it with an open mind, you may as well.

I absolutely hate inter-league play. It has completely taken out the sanctity of the World Series. Nothing is worse than a World Series that includes two teams that played a home and home series in June. We'll get rid of that and instead, replace it with a divisional positioning series that begins on the last Monday of each month.

The site for each contest will be predetermined at the beginning of the year. The southern most team geographically will host the April series and the site will move north as the season progresses and temperature increases.

For this series alone, rosters will be allowed to expand to 32 players. Teams will compete in double-headers beginning on Monday and play each of the other teams in their division. The teams with the best records will then play a weekend series with 7:05 local start times. The third and fourth place teams will also play each other with 1:05 local start times. In the National League Central the fifth and sixth place teams will also play each other.

This leaves one odd team for the AL East and Central as well as the NL East and West. The fifth place teams in the mini-tournament will play each other at a neutral site predetermined based on geographical closeness.

This new format will accomplish two things. First, it will add excitement to the divisional races and help build rivalries, which in turn will help increase ticket sales. Second, it will help the weaker teams in the division catch up by directly playing those above them in the standings. The NFL has thrived on parity over the last decade (aside from the Patriots mini-signal stealing dynasty).

Of course the logistics of this idea will have to be hammered out but to compensate for the double-headers each team will have the following Monday off to rest and travel to their next destination.

It may sound whacky but I think it can work. No one loves the game of baseball more than myself, that's a bold statement but I stand behind it. I've thought about all the negative aspects of this but I think ultimately it can work.