Let them play through 10 with the original roster; then if still tied in the 11th, release 2 more position players and 2 more pitchers (numbers are negotiable).

But still, who the eff cares?

I was rooting for a position player pitching in the game. (Is that possible now? It’s just switching positions.) Either that or the home run derby idea.

it’s a meaningless exhibition, if the game goes 15 good innings and they have no more pitchers left, just let it be a tie for the love of God.

when they mentioned that Terry Francona was firm in not letting Kazmir throw more than X number of pitches, I wondered if he’d have the cojones to switch him with a position player and let them pitch, or if he was just going to go out there and concede the game/ask for a tie.

otherwise it would have been a tie…or they might still be playing!

Make “All-Star” bonuses illegal in contracts. Dump the 1-player from every team rule.

Pay the winners a million bucks per man as a bonus if they are in uniform including the manager, losers get zip.

I heard Steve Phillips on the radio last night. Normally, I don’t listen to this idiot, but he said that after the tie in the ASG in 2002, a rep from the commish called all of the GMs in the league (Phillips was the Mets GM at the time) and asked about making the ASG count for determining homefield advantage in the WS. Phillips said that all of the GMs said NO, but that the Commish went ahead and did it anyway. It certainly is a rule that needs to be gone.

A better idea would be to play the game on Wednesday, rather than Tuesday. That would give all of the pitchers an extra day of rest, which would eliminate, in my opinion, the “Kazmir” problem. there’s only 3 games or so tomorrow, so making Thursday a day off/travel day wouldn’t eliminate too many games. Monday could be an off day/travel day as well.

Also, the teams should carry more starters Starters can go 2-3 innings each and the relievers can be used to mop up. Saving a few starters for extra innings would also eliminate concerns with running out of pitchers.

I also hate to say this, but all of the ASG should use a DH. I know, that’s heresy, but it would eliminate having to pinch hit for pitchers in the NL parks. Obviously, that wasn’t a factor last night, but it was in 2002.

3. Home Run Derby, Penalty Kick-Style: Every player on the roster gets one swing to try and hit one out, pitchers included. Most jacks wins.

Apparently that’s how they do it in Israel.

They must not enter before the 12th inning or while their team has more than one “regular” pitcher left in the bullpen. They need to average at least 2 innings per appearance in the prior 6 baseball months. And they can’t be part of a double switch (my ””Brooks Kieschnick” rule.)

Gives the league a chance to recognize the spot-starter/long man. Or it’s a chance to say bye to some stalwart starter who’s on his last laps because at least he gets introduced. Yeah, Jamie Moyer is the guy I’m thinking of.

I don’t think home run derby to determine winner would a very fair rule. You can be an all-star without being a power hitter. Player on second sounds good though ;) Although if it weren’t for the stupid home field advantage rule, I’d be happy with a tie after a certain amount of time.

“Home run derby” is not in the rules of baseball! It has no place in baseball, and is a cheap marketing gimmick. Therefore, Bud Selig will adopt it.

Not for an All-Star Game anyways

There were several plays at the plate where, I think, if the players felt it REALLY counted they would have gone in a lot harder. There was also a double play made where the guy running to second [from first] made no attempt to take out the player turning it at second. I can’t remember what inning it was but I remember thinking “What a wimpy slide…. oh yeah….right…. ASG.”

If the players felt these games really counted, there would have at least been some brutal collisions at home plate.