“Play Ball” with Pat Hentgen and Friends

Baseball had always been considered America’s favorite pastime, but has that view changed in the last twenty years? During the booming years of the early 20th Century in America, the game of Baseball was unanimously considered the most popular sport, uniting people from around the world. Overall attendance at Major League Baseball stadiums in 2009 was down (6.5) per cent, compared to 2008. This can be seen as a troubling sign for the game’s future or conversly, as sign of its sustained longevity in a dismal, recession ridden economy. It all depends on who you ask and how you interpret the data. • Experts increasingly blame children's habitual video game playing as a key reason why droves are ignoring team sports. • Many diamonds once used for pickup games, baseball fields often remain empty during summer days. • Do kids find baseball boring, with only 7-10 minutes of action? • Suburban youth baseball and softball coaches expect to find fewer players on the ball fields this season, according to many league directors. • Has steroid scandals in MLB soured the game for all ages? The Toronto Blue Jays are still a fan favourite to many Canadians and even to our U.S. neighbours along with Pat Hentgen, considered to be one of the Top 50 Toronto players. He won the Cy Young Award in 1996. He was named to the American League All-Star team in 1993, 1994 and 1997. He was part of our two World Series wins. He started Game 3 of our 1993 World Series win over the Phillies. He is still a part of the Blue Jays, coaching the pitchers at spring training and, this past year, he spent some time with three of the Jay's minor league affiliates, helping their pitchers. Let’s Play Ball with Pat Hentgen, Tom Valcke and Kevin Glew LIVE at BEYONDtheCheers Wednesday March 2nd at 7PM. Dial-in TOLL FREE 1-877-357-2448 in Canada and United States to join us in the dugout, ask a question or be part of the online chat.