So the baseball season is half over and the mid season classic is taking place in Houston. This all-star weekend made me think about all-star games in the four different leagues and ponder their importance.
Since itís baseball season and the baseball all-star game was this week Iíll start there.The first all-star game was back in 1933 at the old Comiskey Park in Chicago. The idea back then was to put on a show for the fans. Since then it has evolved into a big show with the home run derby and celebrity softball games.
Currently, ESPNís Kenny Mayne and Harold Reynolds are coaching the celebrity teams in a best of seven series, with one game played each year. Mayne leads the series 3-1.
For a long time the all-star game was simply an exhibition game, causing many players to opt not to play and take the few days off. The not so genius commissioner Bud Selig thought it would be a good idea to put some importance into the game and get the big name players to show up so he thought up an experiment. Why not have home field advantage for the World Series go to the winning league of the all-star game.
A lot of people donít like this experiment because it places ětoo much emphasis on an exhibition game.î I on the other hand love the idea. This gives the players a reason to play in the game and to play to win. Before the experiment, the game was nothing more than a glorified softball game.
Then there is the NFL all-star game, played after the season, in Hawaii. I donít think I have ever watched the Pro-Bowl as it is called because I forget about it since it is after the season is over and the fact that it is played in Hawaii at an odd hour of the night. There is no home run derby, but football does have such things as the quarterback challenge, but Iím not really sure if that is done at the pro-bowl or not because the NFL does a poor job of marketing both.
In basketball the all-star game has really turned into a circus. The slam dunk competition is something to see, then there is the three-point shoot-out to prove some players still have skill and can shoot the ball. Then there is the game where any celebrity who is in at the minute is invited to perform and have their mug show on national TV. When the game is played though, there tends to be some pretty exciting street ball played.
Then there is the NHL all-start game. Originally started as a benefit game for Ace Baily of the Toronto Maple Leafs. All the stars show up because they know it is for the fans.
The NHL all-star game also has what I think is the best skills competition because everyone is involved and each event is uniquely different. Instead of everybody competing as individuals, they compete as teams. Sure each person who has the best marks in an event is recognized, but the focus is on the team.
Overall, all-star games are a good retreat for the fans and athletes to watch the best of the best get together and have some fun. All four leagues have even started having fan fests so the fans can get involved and test their skills out and meet their favorite players.
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