Ballfields & Blackboards

In this final installment of Ballfields & Blackboards we talk about bad behavior by parents & fans, the LIV merger with the PGA Tour, and the SEC's wrongheaded choice of an 8-game conference schedule. 

We discuss the growth of "mid-majors" in the Final Four in 2023 and since 2005 and whether that trend is likely to continue. Also, we look at the early results of the new MLB rules, LIV golf, and more. 

We dive into a variety of topics related to the men's NCAA basketball tournament. Why is parity increasing? Why are some of the big-name programs struggling? Why is the Big 12 the new ACC? What has happened to John Calipari's magic touch? Why does the selection committee hate Texas A&M? Who are the best bets for to make the Final Four? 

This month we consider a variety of topics including the new MLB rules, sinking NBA viewership, and a few other topics. 

This month we examine the sense or nonsense of the long and large free-agent contracts in MLB along with how college football bowl games may fare with an expansion of the CFB playoffs and a bit on the Brett Maher extra points drama.  

This month we dig into the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams along with discussing the pros and cons of the World Cup tournament and NFL games in Europe. 

In this episode, we consider the structure of the MLB playoffs and how teams like the Braves last year and Phillies this year are excelling after fairly average seasons. We also discuss the dilemma of the $95 million guaranteed contract to Texas A&M's Jimbo Fisher along with other coach compensation and selection topics. 

This month we consider places where various sports might play a one-off game like the Iowa "Field of Dreams" game. We also delve into possible incentives and the shape of a LIV and PGA Tour merger down the line, big-name free agents in MLB, John Calipari, and Manchester United's struggles.

This month we dive into possible implications of the Big Ten's adding USC and UCLA along with looking at LIV Golf from more angles than just the Saudi financial sponsorship. 

We try to find some of the positive things going on in Major League Baseball as well as exploring a few other topics such as politics in sports and Dusty Baker's managing decisions. 

We focus on the trend for MLB and other sports to move more content to exclusive streaming platforms.  It may well drive existing viewers away and also fail to attract the younger demographic that they seek. 

What's going on over the past few years with the big names of college basketball like Kentucky, Duke, Carolina, and Kansas struggling to make the Final Four and more little guys making noise? We talk about the influences and why schools like Vanderbilt aren't joining in. Also, we get into a spirited discussion of whether teams like the Braves letting Freddie Freeman get away makes sense. 

We engage in a lively discussion of ways that MLB and other leagues might better set up their revenue sharing to allow younger players to make more when most productive, reduce incentives for losing games and still maintain a reasonable competitive balance. 

This month we dig transfer issues in college football along with the ACC's opposition to current playoff expansion after first covering some rugby questions

It isn't just Urban Meyer. Bad behavior of some form by coaches seems the norm more than the exception. This month we discuss why that is the case along with the college football playoffs and MLB's collective bargaining issues. 

This month we discuss the tenuous status of regional sports networks in the era of growing streaming services and declining cable subscriptions. We consider the fallout for revenue in MLB, NBA, and NHL along with implications for collective bargaining problems.  We also follow up on the college football conference reshuffle and a variety of current topics. 

We look at the domino effect of the shifts in NCAA football conferences from the SEC and Big 12 down through the American, CUSA, and Sun Belt conferences. 

This month we discuss the best and worst sports stadiums and atmospheres. Beware if you are a Red Sox fan!  Also, we dig deeper into the impact of NCAA realignments.  

This month we discuss which teams are rising and falling in MLB along with our favorite and not-so-favorite MLB announcers. We also ponder the attendance questions for the NFL. 

We discuss the implications of the SEC admitting OU and Texas, perspectives on the Olympics, and the Aaron Rodgers diva show.

We talk about the NCAA's hammering by the Supreme Court, silly rules or structures within sports, MLB's crackdown on doctoring baseballs, and NBA & NHL playoffs.

We go less scripted and talk about MLB injuries, lack of NHL viewers, the NBA playoff structure, the Olympics, and other stuff.  

We discuss rule changes in MLB that might increase balls in play and other improvements, hockey's icing rule, and the idea of a Super League of top European soccer teams to replace the Champions League 

This month we discuss the current Final Four along with memorable NCAA tournament games, make predictions for the upcoming MLB season, and ponder the future of college sports if the Supreme Court blows up the compensation restrictions of the NCAA. 

This month we explore why Indiana basketball isn't elite anymore, our current sports interests, impacts of billionaire owners, and how a golfer can become the top endorsement draw