78% of MLB players are white and only 7% are black and 7% are latino or hispanic. But look at the Astros ... of their starters, the catcher, 1st baseman, 2nd baseman, shortstop and leftfielder are latino or hispanic. 5 out of 8. Then of their top 6 starting pitchers, Valdez, Urquidy, Garcia, Javier are latino or hispanic.
Affirmative action for all sports, regardless of ability. Each NBA team should have equal numbers of black, white, hispanic, and asian players. Happy now?
Baseball has lost its attractiveness to young Black Americans. During the 60’s and 70’s Baseball was the most popular sport for Black kids. Accessible, inexpensive and extremely competitive. The advent of unnecessary expenses like Travel Ball and erosion of developmental programs in the cities have spoken to the talent. The talent still exists, it has shifted to Football and Basketball. There are some grass roots programs developing, but it’ll be 10-15 years before we see their effects.
Baseball has lost its attractiveness to young Black Americans. During the 60’s and 70’s Baseball was the most popular sport for Black kids. Accessible, inexpensive and extremely competitive. The advent of unnecessary expenses like Travel Ball and erosion of developmental programs in the cities have spoken to the talent. The talent still exists, it has shifted to Football and Basketball. There are some grass roots programs developing, but it’ll be 10-15 years before we see their effects.
This is spot on.
Baseball is not nearly as accessible as it once was for inner city youths or those without means. Club baseball, specialized instruction and training, etc, is expensive. It used to not be that way. Recreational baseball & the hot stove leagues are what kids used to have and there was no training that costs $1000s per year. Even the kids that should be playing recreational ball have moved on to club baseball. Some of the club teams are nothing more than glorified recreational teams.
The black and Hispanic kids in the United States that are playing and become good players are usually from families with means. There are exceptions but they’re rare. This same thing has already happened with soccer, volleyball, and a lot of sports that have a developed club system. Basketball also has a developed club system but has somehow not had the same issues. Actually, and ironically, the club basketball system has helped the white suburban kids become better basketball players. Where the game (primarily high school & college) was primarily dominated by inner city youths, suburban kids have made inroads. There are white kids that are from somewhat disadvantaged backgrounds, Christian Laettner comes to mind, that have succeeded, but as with the disadvantaged black baseball players, they are also rare.
Club sports are good in some ways but all bad in some ways. Accessibility is the big issue.
Baseball has lost its attractiveness to young Black Americans. During the 60’s and 70’s Baseball was the most popular sport for Black kids. Accessible, inexpensive and extremely competitive. The advent of unnecessary expenses like Travel Ball and erosion of developmental programs in the cities have spoken to the talent. The talent still exists, it has shifted to Football and Basketball. There are some grass roots programs developing, but it’ll be 10-15 years before we see their effects.
This is spot on.
Baseball is not nearly as accessible as it once was for inner city youths or those without means. Club baseball, specialized instruction and training, etc, is expensive. It used to not be that way. Recreational baseball & the hot stove leagues are what kids used to have and there was no training that costs $1000s per year. Even the kids that should be playing recreational ball have moved on to club baseball. Some of the club teams are nothing more than glorified recreational teams.
The black and Hispanic kids in the United States that are playing and become good players are usually from families with means. There are exceptions but they’re rare. This same thing has already happened with soccer, volleyball, and a lot of sports that have a developed club system. Basketball also has a developed club system but has somehow not had the same issues. Actually, and ironically, the club basketball system has helped the white suburban kids become better basketball players. Where the game (primarily high school & college) was primarily dominated by inner city youths, suburban kids have made inroads. There are white kids that are from somewhat disadvantaged backgrounds, Christian Laettner comes to mind, that have succeeded, but as with the disadvantaged black baseball players, they are also rare.
Club sports are good in some ways but all bad in some ways. Accessibility is the big issue.
This issue is nothing new. Another aspect of baseball is that you really need to start early to excel at it - to develop the hitting, fielding and throwing skills required of any baseball player. Younger kids in urban areas don't have the same access or interest than they had back in the last century. You just don't have many 21st century eight-year-old Willy Mays sorts playing stickball in Harlem. To put is differently, if you are a big, strong, gifted athlete, a coach can use you on a high school football team and develop your football skills as you play. Same for a high school track & Field coach. If you're 6' 7" and reasonably coordinated, a lot of high school basketball coaches would love to work with you. On the other hand, you can be the biggest, fastest, strongest kid on a baseball team, but if you can't get on base - if you're fooled by every curve ball - then you're going to sit on the bench.
78% of MLB players are white and only 7% are black and 7% are latino or hispanic. But look at the Astros ... of their starters, the catcher, 1st baseman, 2nd baseman, shortstop and leftfielder are latino or hispanic. 5 out of 8. Then of their top 6 starting pitchers, Valdez, Urquidy, Garcia, Javier are latino or hispanic.
The article says MLB is 62% non-diverse.
The Phillies' World Series Roster will likely have @ 25% diverse players:
Castellanos: US Born
Suarez: Venezuela
Alvarado: Venezuela
Sosa: Panama
Dominguez: Dominican Republic
Segura: Dominican Republic
As the article points out, Darick "Long Ball" Hall, probably one of the last two position players left off the World Series Roster, is African American (or at least as much as Kamala Harris).
75% of black children are born to single mothers. Not having a father to help them in a skilled sport like baseball is likely the cause of the decline.
What an idiotic post. Correct answer below.
Baseball and Lax are the sheltered white suburban wealthy with average ability athlete's choice. BBall and football way too competitive for this demographic.
Baseball and Lax are the sheltered white suburban wealthy with average ability athlete's choice. BBall and football way too competitive for this demographic.
It's a great post. It's alot easier to practice other sports without a dad, but baseball takes a lot of special equipment and its less likely that a single mother is going to play baseball with their young son. Black fathers being absent is absolutely one of the reasons for the decline in black American baseball players.
Stellar contribution to your own message board rojo. Just link a random article and then leave. No discussion No contribution. Nothing. What exactly was your goal?
Help us build the best running shoe review site for a chance to win a LetsRun t-shirt.Help us build the best running shoe review site for a chance to win one of 10 LetsRun t-shirts.