sports
Baseball’s Big Comeback
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TL;DR
- Baseball has historically faced predictions of its own demise, but is now experiencing a resurgence.
- New rules in 2023, including a pitch clock, bigger bases, and restricted defensive shifts, significantly shortened game times and improved the pace of play.
- International stars like Shohei Ohtani have boosted global viewership and attendance, particularly in Japan.
- Sports betting has provided a modest boost, but carries risks for the sport's integrity.
- The league's revenue-sharing system and extreme payroll disparities between large and small market teams are core issues in an upcoming labor dispute.
- A potential lockout or strike could halt the sport's current momentum, similar to the 1994 strike which significantly impacted fan engagement.