MLB's All-Star Problem

 Much has been made over the record low television viewers for last week's MLB All-Star game.  Bud Selig says, "To say the players don't care is absolute nonsense," but with it taking an eventual 84 invites to round out AL and NL rosters it is , at best, hard to argue the players take the game seriously.  Here are my suggestions on how commissioner Selig can return the mid summer classic to a place of prominence and respect.

Homefield ADVANTAGE!
Sure the league that wins the All Star game earns home field advantage in World Series and we all recognize the importance of the comforts of home, so why not take it a step further?   What if the winning league earned a 5-to-2 game homefield advantage for their accomplishment?  Would a player on a contending team with a minor injury be more inclined to go and help his league secure the win?  Their All Star game contribution could possibly be as pivotal as any contribution they make to their individual team through the second half.  After the winning team spends the first two World Series games on the road they retreat to their home stadium to finish out the series.  This gives the winning league, possibly, three more games at home against their opponent.

Ask before you print the ballot
A simple solution to all the players bailing on the All Star game is to simply not have them eligible to make the team.  MLB can take a simple survey of players and ask if they were selected for the game if they would participate.  An injury that prohibited a player's participation would, of course, be acceptable.  I understand that a 15-year vet who has made the All Star game numerous times may want to enjoy a few days of rest, so why not give them an honorable way out and allow the rising stars of the game to get a taste of the spotlight?

Reduce the Rosters
This year's All Star game included 41 position players alone.  Remember the good ole' days when the starters played six or seven innings before giving way to a substitute?  The talent is watered down and in addition to not seeing all of the biggest stars in MLB, fans aren't seeing the players who do attend the game very long.  Having the starters log more innings will result in less players being needed for the game and will draw the fans back in.  Getting rid of the rule requiring a player from each team will help here as well.  If you don't want to keep score in little league to preserve your ten year old's self esteem then feel free, but if you don't get it as 28 year-old who is batting .270 with twelve home runs that you aren't one of the elite players in the best league in the world then the game has truly lost it's prestige.  By including less players and only including the true best of the best the game will regain respect with the fans and will be seen as a true honor for the players. 

Baseball wins.  The fans win.  We all win!