MLB Could Totally Change All-Star Voting to Include an “Election Day”
I suspect that we already know about the most impactful, significant changes that are coming in the soon-to-be finalized rules changes between the league and the players, but there will probably be a number of smaller changes that trickle out separately.
Some of them might even be really weird and genius:
The first Tuesday in November isn't going to be the only Election Day anymore. In a deal nearing ratification, MLB and the MLB Players Association are talking about overhauling All-Star voting to create an Election Day, sources tell ESPN. Details: https://t.co/NzVEyYOPOg
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 6, 2019
As Jeff Passan reports, the league looks to be finalizing a new All-Star voting plan, where fans would vote like normal for the starters, but then the three top vote-getters at a position from that vote would be put on a final ballot. Then there would be an Election Day for fans to vote on the guys on the three guys on ballot at each position. The winner gets a trip to the All-Star Game as a starter.
That’s … genius.
From a fan-engagement standpoint if nothing else, it’s a brilliant move, because I can already imagine what that day will look like (and the fun teams can have “campaigning” for their players once they are on the final ballot – think about how fun the “Final Vote” is at times, and then multiply that by every position). More fan bases get to engage in the voting, too.
It’s also smart because it could cut down on the ability of fans of certain fan bases (guilty) deluging the vote with every single player on their team, regardless of merit.
What do you think about this approach? I mean, it doesn’t *matter,* as the significance of the All-Star Game has been crushed in the last two decades anyway for a variety of reasons. But hey, why not try to spice things up a bit? I think I really like it.
“VOTE JAVY: El Mago for the People!”
“VOTE KB: Put Some Sparkle Back in Washington!”
“VOTE WILLY: A Passionate Player for Passionate Fans!”
“VOTE RIZ: Leadership You Can Believe In!”
