Buy Me Some Sushi and Cracker Jacks

It never ceases to amaze me what bizarre turns Major League Baseball will take as time rolls on. Granted, I am not a traditionalist, in fact I thrive on change. But even I draw the lines somewhere. For example, I deplore the thoughts of a designated hitter. Baseball is a sport and should be played by athletes. Instead, the DH allows players with glaring deficiencies to continue to play the game. Now, the baseball powers that be have decided that the best place to play the first game of the season is in Japan. Granted, I understand that Major League Baseball is trying to increase their market and that the game is become more global as players come from all countries in the world, but to begin the American Pastime in Tokyo seems a bit odd indeed. Couldn't baseball have perhaps started the second half of the season in Japan after all-star break? It just doesn't seem like baseball if a fan has to get up at 3:30 AM to see their favorite team play opening day on television. I'm sure ESPN doesn't mind since the only thing that they will have to bump in order to carry the game live would be the best of bass fishing or classic candlestick bowling. Sometimes, I think baseball just doesn't get it when it comes to dealing with the fans. I suppose there is a positive from all of this. With the popularity of karaoke in Japan, the rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" should be outstanding.