Recommendations for Major League Baseball - Case Study Example

CEO-ROLE PLAY SCENARIO: RECOMMENDATIONS AND PRESENTATION Student’s Name Course Professor’s Name University City (State) Date Table of Contents 1.0 Abstract 4 2.0 Introduction 4 3.0 History of the Organization 5 4.0 Descriptive Development Review 6 5.0 Major League Baseball Current Strategic Objectives 7 6.0 Proposed Alternative Propositions 8 6.1 Bring in New and Young Managers in the League 8 6.2 Improve on the Scheduling of the Postseason Games 10 According to the Contingency theory, the performance of an organization can be enhanced by minimizing the constraints, that is, the negative impacts of the internal and environmental factors (Tosi & Slocum, 1984). Major League Baseball can, therefore, improve its performance basing its arrangements on the internal and external factors that might affect the matches and the season in general. The League has been experiencing problems with the timing of the post-season fixtures. However, no efforts have been in place to address the challenges (Hill, Madura & Zuber 1982). Several options can be implemented to ensure that the problems relating to post-season are addressed. First, the regular season should be shortened by approximately twelve games to give space for the post-season fixtures (Ratliff 2012). Second, the playoffs should be adjusted to accommodate more six teams in both American and National League (Barilla, Gruben & Levernier 2011). The six teams should entail three wild card teams and three division measures. Third, the baseball fixture should start earlier thus avoiding the late night matches (Krautmann & Oppenheimer 2002). However, the process should be conducted with care to ensure that no revenue is lost but rather gained. Lastly, the off days allocated between the playoff games should not be minimised. Baseball, just as basketball or hockey, needs to have a break so that the players could conduct other activities, train and revamp themselves. In conclusion, just as in the life cycle theory, development of the season is inevitable (Van de Ven 1995). The development should entail the rescheduling of the season for efficiency. Rescheduling is, therefore, the next development step that the season needs. 10 6.3 Reaching the Minority and the Marginalised Groups 12 6.4 Integration of Technology into the Game 14 The actor-network theory argues that the heterogeneous network among non-humans and humans is based on equal interrelationship. The theory, therefore, calls for fairness in the description of nonhuman and human actors and the reintegration of the social and natural world. For instance, humans should not worry that technology is taking over but instead, it should embrace the changes (Tatnall 2011). It argues that the most important thing is the competences and actions of the processes. Major League Baseball need to integrate technology as witnessed in the English Premier League. The introduction of technology will see to it that credibility issues associated with the game are history (Ratliff 2012). In explanation, the right team will be awarded points whenever appropriate and upon confirmation. In conclusion, technology will lead to efficiency in the league as per the case of machine bureaucracy as seen in Mintzberg’s types of organizations (Daft 2010). The high efficiency will be experienced in both the administrative and technical departments with the primary goal being efficiency. 14 6.5 Improvement of the Revenue-Sharing Model 15 7.0 Rationale of the Propositions 16 8.0 Conclusion and Anticipated Outcomes 17 Reference List 19 CEO-Role Play Scenario: Recommendations and Presentation 1.0 Abstract Major League Baseball has evolved over years hence gaining popularity. However, the changes of these years have not made it competitive enough to the likes of football and basketball. The current objectives of the aims of the Major League Baseball have focused on ensuring that the league can improve its competitiveness. Some of the suitable propositions for the league include bringing in new professional managers; rescheduling of the post-season games; reaching to the minority and marginalised groups; integration of technology; and improvement of the revenue-sharing model. The propositions will ensure improvement in the league and make it more competitive. 2.0 Introduction Major League Baseball is an organization dealing with professional baseball. It is the oldest professional leagues out of the four found in Canada and the United States. As per today, the league has got thirty teams participating in the National League and American League. Each of the Leagues has got fifteen teams. National League and American League started operating as distinct legal entities in 1876 and 1901 respectively. From 1903 to 1999 the two Leagues continued to work as separate entities but were under collaboration (MLB Advanced Media 2016). In 2000, the two leagues merged to form a single organization under the leadership of Commissioner of Baseball. The organization also plays an oversight role to the Minor League Baseball that has two-hundred and forty teams. The teams are connected to the clubs in the Major League Baseball. Major League Baseball in conjunction with the World Baseball Softball Confederation plays the managerial role to the World Baseball Classic tournament which takes part at the international level. As per assignment 1, the strategies for MLB include use of programs in fields like sport financing, brand promotion, and marketing strategies. Sharing of expenses and management of revenues strategies is also important. The league has a slow product lifecycle which is to be enhanced. The anticipated changes include inclusion of the minority groups and women and further integration of website and internet use. The next trends for Major League Baseball as identified in the previous assignment include introduction of new agreements and laws on drug use and minority inclusion. It is anticipated that the more of the minority groups and women will join baseball and softball respectively. MLB has different leagues monthly and with various tournaments. The organization has 30 teams and all have academies. The new changes should take into consideration development of technological innovation, competitive advantage, conducive environment, stakeholder’s involvement, and consideration of external and internal dynamics. 3.0 History of the Organization Baseball first got its national recognition in the United States through the formation The National Association of Baseball Player as its first governing entity. The pseudo-league existed for twelve years with approximately four-hundred clubs joining it in 1867 (MLB Advanced Media 2016). The professional baseball was found in 1869 through the formation of a professional baseball team called Cincinnati Red Stockings. The National Association of Professional Baseball Player often called the National Association was later formed in 1871 that enhanced the disappearance of its armature counterpart some years later. The National Association led to the more professional baseball teams celebrated today like Atlanta Braves and Chicago Clubs. In 1876, the National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs was established upon the National Association proving to be ineffective (Gibson, Webner, Huffman, & Sennett, 2007). The two leagued later merged in 1892 to form a National League with twelve teams. However, in 1899, the National League dropped four of the teams that led to the formation of American League in 1901 hence another wake of rivalry (MLB Advanced Media 2016). In mid-1940s blacks were introduced to baseball as players with Jackie Robinson becoming the first black to play in the International League since 1880s thus breaking the segregation years later. The signing of women as baseball players was burned as from 1952 to 1992 thus marking the era of gender inequality in baseball. Improvement in the players’ efficiency was even better in the early 2000 and late 1990s when the players could hit 50 or 40 home runs a scenario that was not common in previous scenarios. However, it later became apparent that some of the players used steroids to enhance their performance. Several pitching techniques have continued to develop with some of the examples being a slider, split-finger fastball, and change-up. 4.0 Descriptive Development Review Baseball has gone through several development changes over years. The changes have been in the form of policies that govern the game and the contracts. Furthermore, changes have been made on the type of pitch to which the game is played hence developing efficiency among the players (Schmidt & Berri 2001). Additional policies have been put in place to limit the use of steroids. Development has also been made on the uniform thus allowing the use of team names among both teams as opposed to traditionally when home team would have a display of a team name while away team would have location instead. The structure of the season has also been improved over years. Today, the League boasts of spring training which entails a series of exhibitions and practices before the beginning of the season. During the training, the teams are divided into Grapefruit League and Cactus League. The training also enables the fans to enjoy the sport. After the spring training, the regular season begins with each of the teams playing against 162 opponents. Furthermore, during the mid-season, All-Star Game is conducted which features American League and National League players. The League also participates in post-season and international games. Major League Baseball has also made some crucial strides relating to the use of steroids among the players. Tight regulations have been put thus leading to burning of players using performance-enhancing substances. In 2004, the League started engaging in a random testing as a mandatory practice (MLB Advanced Media 2016). In 2013, an agreement was reached that even the use of growth hormones should be tested thus abolishing testosterone use. As per today, the League policy calls for an eighty-game suspension for a player whose test is positive for the first times and a hundred and sixty-two suspensions for the second users. 5.0 Major League Baseball Current Strategic Objectives The main aim of the organization is to promote the development of baseball and integrate it into the national issues. The mission of the League is to promote efficiency and profitability through the creation of diverse business partners. It also aims at expanding the ability of baseball as a sport so as to continue contributing to the economic growth, wellbeing, and strength of the diverse communities (Staudohar 1997). The expansion is to be achieved through partnership, promotion of sound business practices, sustainable structures and processes, accountability, and proactive leadership. Major League Baseball also aims at promoting participation and increasing interest in baseball among the youths through teamwork, the inclusion of the minority. The League seeks to enhance the continuation of baseball through the involvement of young players through the development of academies and other programs such as Reviving Baseball in Inner-cities. The organization's, therefore, aims at changing the life of Americans economically through the baseball league and its business sponsorship partners. Major League Baseball has several strategic objectives. First, is the use of programs to hasten the growth of the League. The major programs in Major League Baseball are Reviving Baseball in Inner-cities and Diverse Business Partners (MLB Advanced Media 2016). In explanation, the strategic goal of the league is to harness the best of talents found in the most interior of places and also find several diverse business partners that will support the sport. Second, the League has sport financing strategies that have seen it grow to be the sports organization in America with exceptional revenue. Financing strategies include broadcasting on national television, through the internet, and advertisements. Furthermore, more finance is obtained through the selling of tickets which accounts for a third of the total revenue (Barilla, Gruben & Levernier 2011). Other sources of finance include concession, licensing, and sponsorships. Third, the league has brand promotion strategies that include involvement in community development and new policy employment. In explanation, the strategy aims to see that the capacity of the local community is developed further due to sports. For example, it aims to use baseball to develop infrastructures and amenities for the local community in addition to the economic benefits that the area experiences. The marketing strategies are also employed by the League and the platforms used include online websites, television networks, and social media. 6.0 Proposed Alternative Propositions 6.1 Bring in New and Young Managers in the League Max Weber’s Classical Organizational theory state that civilization was focusing on getting the technical results as opposed to the humanistic and emotional content (Olum 2004). The Contingency theory on leadership also encourages the change of leadership for the improvement of the organization practices. It argues that the success of leaders could be determined with various factors and different leadership styles are crucial in distinct leadership situations (Tosi & Slocum, 1984). Major League Baseball, therefore, needs to put structures that would embrace the younger talents that have knowledge and expertise in spearheading a franchise that is competitive. Bringing in of younger professionals will see the league rejuvenating and becoming more comprehensive. The changes will ensure that the league progresses and personal agendas prevented from surfacing in the League. For example, an example of how personal agenda can negatively influence baseball can be seen as per the case of Los Angeles Dodgers’ messy ownership (Ratliff 2012). The attempt of Bud Selig to rescue the team from Frank McCourt turned into an extremely ugly and public affair. Unprofessionalism has been a sacrifice in the Major League Baseball due to personal interests. Lack of professionalism has also seen that sufficient efforts have not been put in place to ensure National and American Leagues play by the same rules. Major League Baseball has been developing over years positively (Barilla, Gruben & Levernier 2011). However, some of the negative rules and regulations that play in the League have maintained. Some of the rules are positive like those looking to eliminate the use of performance-boosting drugs. First, there should be the integration of the National and American League policies. Any sport is a game of rules, and it is not making sense to why the two competing leagues should have distinct rules. The difference among the rules of the two leagues shows how disillusioned Major League Baseball is thus a need for new management’s structures and systems that can only be attained through younger professionals (Olum 2004). Second, some of the rules dictating how the games are played should be changed. However, the rules that entail designating of the hitter in American League should not be changed. But the Major League Baseball has made some significant changes so far such as the integration of the processes that teams that participate in the interplay league experience. In summary, the incoming management might lead to formalisation and greater decentralisation thus enabling the adhocracy as per the Mintzberg’s types of organization due to involvement of the professional staff (Daft 2010). Pros and Cons Introducing new faces in the Major League Baseball will ensure that things are conducted in a different manner. The new and young professionals will bring in a new view to the league and make it more competitive (Olum 2004). The change can only be possible in the presence of the new faces. The introduction of the new faces can initiate efforts like the integration of the National and American League (Ratliff 2012). It will also ensure that the League becomes more competitive. However, the introduction of a younger management team might also be bad if not worse. The new managers might not be interested in making the league better but rather making money out of it. The commercial interest might outrun the passion associated with baseball thus making the league lose popularity (Tosi & Slocum, 1984). 6.2 Improve on the Scheduling of the Postseason Games According to the Contingency theory, the performance of an organization can be enhanced by minimizing the constraints, that is, the negative impacts of the internal and environmental factors (Tosi & Slocum, 1984). Major League Baseball can, therefore, improve its performance basing its arrangements on the internal and external factors that might affect the matches and the season in general. The League has been experiencing problems with the timing of the post-season fixtures. However, no efforts have been in place to address the challenges (Hill, Madura & Zuber 1982). Several options can be implemented to ensure that the problems relating to post-season are addressed. First, the regular season should be shortened by approximately twelve games to give space for the post-season fixtures (Ratliff 2012). Second, the playoffs should be adjusted to accommodate more six teams in both American and National League (Barilla, Gruben & Levernier 2011). The six teams should entail three wild card teams and three division measures. Third, the baseball fixture should start earlier thus avoiding the late night matches (Krautmann & Oppenheimer 2002). However, the process should be conducted with care to ensure that no revenue is lost but rather gained. Lastly, the off days allocated between the playoff games should not be minimised. Baseball, just as basketball or hockey, needs to have a break so that the players could conduct other activities, train and revamp themselves. In conclusion, just as in the life cycle theory, development of the season is inevitable (Van de Ven 1995). The development should entail the rescheduling of the season for efficiency. Rescheduling is, therefore, the next development step that the season needs. Pros and Cons Shortening the number of games played will give the pre-season time and space thus avoiding the confusion experienced today. Shortening the season is possible since history shows that there were times when the league had less than 162 games (Ratliff 2012). Furthermore, it will allow the players to rest in November. Shortening the period will allow the expansion of the playoffs to have six teams benefit while the same time, it will ensure that the season ends in October (Hill, Madura & Zuber 1982). When the fixtures start early, children will be able to watch the matches thus developing more fan base. Giving the children a chance to look at the matches can be instrumental in the development of future players and attraction of more revenues (Tosi & Slocum, 1984). However, the introduction of the new schedule might be disadvantageous to the league. Even if it might attract the casual fans, the veteran ones might feel no longer interested due to the change in status quo. Furthermore, adding slots for the minor league teams in the major one might make the former less competitive. 6.3 Reaching the Minority and the Marginalised Groups The conversion theory on minority influence can be used in the reaching of the minority and marginalised groups including women. Moscovici argues the minority have to o through a validation process in which their opinion and efforts have to be judged by the majority groups (Rambo 1999). In other words, majority group undergo the comparison process as the minority group go through the validation process. The effort of the minority group is to break the majority’s unanimity. As a result, the breakthrough will capture the attention of the majority thus allowing them consider the reasoning and arguments for disagreement. If the information of the minority group is validated, majority will be swayed thus development of sustainable solutions accommodating the minority views. However, the process has to be conducted through the comparison process. Validation process leads to acceptance at the private level while comparison process causes direct influence. In explanation, the minority groups in the United States such as the Hispanic have proven that they can change the baseball to the better. The next step should, therefore, be development of systems that will increase the integration of the minority groups. Major League Baseball has been doing exceptionally great in addressing racism associating with the sport. As a result, the league has experienced an increasing the number of superstars of Latin-American or Hispanic descent and women (Ratliff 2012). However, efforts should be based on making the Hispanic American learn English. Furthermore, the strategy should be put in place that will ensure more most of the talents are captured. For instance, the formation of academies in the Latin American countries would be a good way of harnessing talents. Major League Baseball should also put strategies in place to ensure that the most casual of fans can claim the branding of the starring players. For instance, the Latin American players should be given household names to allow the general public associate with them. In summary, inclusion of the minority and marginalised groups could lead to the diversification of the players in the league. As a result, it can lead to the diversified form thus forming varied market or product groups as seen in the Mintzberg’s Organizational types (Daft 2010). Pros and Cons Enabling the Hispanic or Latin-American players to learn English is a good marketing strategy. It does not improve the market only at the club and league level but also to the players. Furthermore, it makes the players able to access the general American public easily. Hispanics being the majority-minority in America, it is important in integrating them into the sports to allow other minority groups to develop interest (Rambo 1999). Developing academies will be substantial since the market has grown to be aggressive and talents are identified at the earlier stages possible. Development of academies will allow the Major League Baseball penetrate some of the countries of the Latin-Americans (Ratliff 2012). Furthermore, plenty of young talents will be harnessed in the process thus developing the future of the sports greatly. The efforts of identifying new outstanding talents will also allow for washing away the era of steroids that has stretched over years. However, the efforts might be negative in the sense that it might seek to attract the minority group even if their talent do not meet the threshold. Furthermore, it might be considered as rather an affirmative action thus affecting the competitiveness of the game. 6.4 Integration of Technology into the Game The actor-network theory argues that the heterogeneous network among non-humans and humans is based on equal interrelationship. The theory, therefore, calls for fairness in the description of nonhuman and human actors and the reintegration of the social and natural world. For instance, humans should not worry that technology is taking over but instead, it should embrace the changes (Tatnall 2011). It argues that the most important thing is the competences and actions of the processes. Major League Baseball need to integrate technology as witnessed in the English Premier League. The introduction of technology will see to it that credibility issues associated with the game are history (Ratliff 2012). In explanation, the right team will be awarded points whenever appropriate and upon confirmation. In conclusion, technology will lead to efficiency in the league as per the case of machine bureaucracy as seen in Mintzberg’s types of organizations (Daft 2010). The high efficiency will be experienced in both the administrative and technical departments with the primary goal being efficiency. Pros and Cons The proposition will ensure that the game becomes more credible. The technology will allow for a quick and accurate way of getting things right in the sport. Furthermore, it will not tamper with the entertainment but rather make the fans experience the real occurrence of the fixtures with the winning team being awarded as appropriate (Ratliff 2012). Time wasted in reviewing a questionable call will be minimised as necessary. In explanation, the introduction of technology will allow the players to settle down issues in the pitch on a just manner and avoid bias among referees. The disadvantage of the proposition is that it will give the cameras the opportunity to determine the fate of the matches. As a result, humans will no longer be the essential element of the sports (Tatnall 2011). It will also entail delays as people wait for technology to confirm whether to award points or not as it will depend on the relook of replays. 6.5 Improvement of the Revenue-Sharing Model No matter where the resource sharing model starts from- win or profit maximization, Nash or Walras equilibrium- the allocation of revenue improves the talent of any particular country or region (Késenne 2014). However, maximising the revenue will not automatically mean there will be equal talent distribution. League Baseball needs to improve on how the revenue is being shared. Since the League has no salary cap, a particular revenue sharing model needs to be developed (Ratliff 2012). Teams should also be forced to reinvest directly to the improvement of the on-field product (Staudohar 1997). However, a policy should be developed that allocates the sharing of revenue among the major stakeholders like players and the league owners in the form of a percentage of the total revenue to allow for universality (Krautmann & Oppenheimer 2002). In conclusion, the development of policy addressing concerns on revenue-sharing will reduce the complexity of the adaptive system (Daft 2010). The unintended effects as per the chaos theory will, therefore, be minimised thus ensuring efficiency in the league. Pros and Cons The introduction of a revenue-sharing model will ensure equity in the allocation of resources. Both the players and the management team will gain through the model. The process will also take account of the difference in revenue shares since it will be based on a percentage of income rather than the salary caps (Késenne 2014). As a result, the competitive balance of baseball will be improved. Furthermore, the model will allow the league to enjoy at the same level of the National Football League (Ratliff 2012). However, the losers in such an arrangement might be the club owners as they will not enjoy the freedom that they had. Furthermore, the players might lose in instances that the club has not generated sufficient income. 7.0 Rationale of the Propositions The introduction of the new and young management in the League will make it more competitive (Meehan, Nelson & Richardson 2007). It will allow for the inclusion of new ideas into the League making it more competitive. New professional blood in the league management will ensure that it compete the soccer leagues and management through the increase of its competitive advantage. The introduction of new blood will also allow for the consideration of professionalism of the leaders and improve integrity in the sport. The introduction of the competent leaders, the game, will have changed into its best since the management will determine its fate. The introduction of technology into the league will ensure credibility in the Major League Baseball. Technology will also ensure that the marketing and management structures become easy and more of the League fans are engaged. It will also allow ease of the access of tickets and improve accountability (Meehan, Nelson & Richardson 2007). Lastly, a comprehensive introduction to internet in governing the matches will reduce conflicts in the League. Rescheduling of the post-season games will allow for a formation of a more organized league. It will ease the management of the league and increase the number of fans watching each of the matches. As a result, it will increase the revenue and allow the players to have sufficient rest between the seasons. Making efforts to accommodate the minority group is very important to the Major League Baseball. The inclusion of minority will ensure that the league becomes holistic and representative. As a social tool, sport should aim at bringing people together as opposed to dividing them (Krautmann & Oppenheimer 2002). The minority in the society can also be accommodated in sports through adjusting the ticket prices. The adjustment of the prices should aim to ensure that all people in the society are considered. The tickets should be affordable as much as it aims to ensure commercial goals are achieved. Lastly, structure to which revenue is shared will improve the morale of the players and club owners in the League. The players will be compensated thus able to live a fulfilling life (Krautmann & Oppenheimer 2002). Furthermore, young players will be encouraged to develop their talents and join baseball as a career. Appropriate sharing of revenue can also make the league competitive and reduce the use of steroids as natural talents will be attracted to the league. 8.0 Conclusion and Anticipated Outcomes Major League Baseball needs to go through a series of structural changes for it to excel. Major League Baseball can only get its competitive balance upon integrating of the in technology in the sport fully as witnessed in the English Premier League. However, the league has not been experiencing changes since 1937. The changes made have been done in a conservative manner thus affecting its competitive nature. Most of the league leaders are conservatives and not interested to see the change occur in the Major League Baseball. Diffusion of the game through television, talent pool internationalization and population centres equalisation has been critical to the league. However, the changes have not been enough. Further changes need to be implemented to ensure the league is successful. The anticipated outcomes of the structural changes include; 1. Increase in revenues due to full integration of technology and improving the inclusiveness of the league 2. Inclusiveness in the league will be through integration of the minority and adjusting of the prices of the tickets 3. Accountability and transparency will be improved through use of technology and change of management to encourage professionalism 4. Development of young talents in the society will be achieved through reaching to the minority groups and developing academies outside America 5. Eradication of the use of steroids in the sport will be introduced through bringing forward young talents that are professional and capacity built 6. Improvement of the lives of the players as well as those of the club owners will be achieved through improvement of the way to which revenues are shared. 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