The Impact of Fantasy Baseball on MLB Fanbases
I had the privilege of attending the Phillies vs. Nationals game tonight with a good friend of mine. Sitting up in the top bleachers, we talked a lot about life, as well as some other topics regarding modern baseball. As I looked down on the players and fans below me, I started to wonder exactly what impact fantasy baseball has on any given MLB fan base.
In one viewpoint, fantasy baseball is a great thing for the sport, as it brings attention to all players around the league. Think about it: each and every player is eligible to be selected to a fantasy roster and used to win the fantasy game. Quite a fascinating concept, if you think about it. Fantasy baseball managers are fairly aware of players that can help them, even from the smallest of markets.
A counterpoint to the last argument is that fantasy baseball destroys the game. Just like fantasy football, one has to wonder whether he/she is rooting for the real-life MLB roster, or the fake roster he/she creates when a fantasy team is present. Especially considering money and assets could be at stake, one could opt to root for the fantasy team before the MLB team.
Growing up around the DC area my entire life, I never really latched onto a real-life MLB team. The fact of the matter is, Washington is not the greatest baseball town out there. In fact, the 2008 roster may be the worst in the franchises’ history. All that aside, I found myself caring more about my fantasy baseball teams rather than my real life teams, so I have had a little trouble establishing true fan loyalty to a real life squad.
Some insightful baseball mind once coined the term “rooting for laundry,” and in a way, that is exactly what it is. Do you root for laundry or root for your fantasy squad?
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September 3rd, 2008 at 4:01 pm
[...] of recent articles that try to address the issue. First, Fantasy Baseball Flash ponders about the impact of fantasy baseball on MLB fan bases, while a Bleacher Report members hops onto a soapbox and explains why he has a problem with fantasy [...]