Syracuse Chiefs Research Paper

Sport Product, Extensions, and Place
The Syracuse Chiefs are a minor league baseball team located in Central New York. The core of Chiefs’ games are composed of six components, including game form, players, fan behavior, equipment and apparel, venue, and personnel and process. The rules and techniques of baseball are what makes this sport differ from every other sport product. Over the years, the game of baseball has made several changes to its rules. In the early years of the game, batsman were allowed to request the pitch be thrown high or low. As time passed, the rules changed to creating a strike zone. This rule called for a higher level of skill in both the batters and pitchers, making the game more attractive to fans.
In 1887, five

balls became a base on balls and four strikes considered a player out for that at bat. Two years later, MLB modified “the walk” rule where it became only four balls until you were awarded first base. A rule that is still used today is a batter who gets hit with a pitch is awarded first base. In 1920, the number of runs batted in were to be included in the official score. A batter is awarded an RBI, also known as a ribby, when their at bat results in a safe hit including home runs, sacrifice bunts and flys, which lead to runners scoring. An RBI is also rewarded if the bases are loaded and the pitcher walks the player at bat causing the player on 3rd base to go home. To protect the players against dangerous pitches, all players were ordered to wear protective helmets in 1971. In 1973, MLB began using designated hitters for pitchers in order to increase interest and attendance. The National League felt no urgency in participating in this rule because they always had average attendance and there were several new ballparks under construction. Attracting interest was the least of their worries. However, the Minor Leagues were excited about the new rule and the affect it would have on baseball.
One of the more exciting plays in baseball is known as a rundown. A rundown is a situation in a game where a player is stuck in between two bases and is in jeopardy of being tagged out. Back in the early days of baseball, an opposing player could throw the ball at the runner to get them out. Now, you must tag the player in order to be considered out. Baserunners will try to steal a base, but the defensive player can run him into a pickle to get him to run back to his previous base. However, the defensive player can throw it back to the previous baseman to try and tag him out before he gets back there safely. When a rundown occurs, it is a very exciting few minutes for the fans because it raises a level of suspense.
The tagging up rule states that you must touch every base before you return home. If the batter at bat hits a fly ball, the players on base must wait to see how the opposing player handles the fly ball. If the opposing player drops the fly ball, the players on base must advance if first base is not vacant. If the opposing player catches the fly ball, the players on base are able to steal a base. In either situation, a player must not leave their base until the opposing player drops it or catches it. This rule allows for fair play and more excitement.
The most recent rule that was adopted in 2008 was limited instant replay to review certain plays including home runs, fair/foul balls, and outs. Instant replays will give managers valuable recourse in potential game-changing situations considering it only takes one good hitter to alter the route of a baseball game. This rule change will also keep fans in the loop as sometimes it is hard to see depending on where you are sitting. The instant replays will be played on the ballpark scoreboard for all who missed it to see, assisting in fan satisfaction.