Over the Bridge

Major League Baseball Puts the Squeeze Play on the Cape Cod Baseball League

My blood is boiling. The expression "are you s****ing me?" comes to mind. I am tired of the greed in this country, especially from big business. Oil companies are reaping record profits. The Enron, WorldCom, Adelphia and Tyco pilfering scandals speak for themselves. Now it appears Major League Baseball (MLB) wants their piece of the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL.)

It seems that MLB feels that the league is infringing on their trademark team names and wants shared revenue derived from the sale of merchandise bearing their names such as the Chatham "A's," Hyannis "Mets," and the Yarmouth-Dennis "Red Sox." Other teams in the league like the Falmouth Commodores have their own distinct names unrelated to Major League Baseball.

MLB wants all uniforms and related merchandise bearing any MLB name to be purchased through approved MLB vendors, ultimately so the can "reap" a whopping 11% royalty on goods sold. Currently, the CCBL uses local merchants for uniforms and merchandise production, and if agreed, the local vendors would be replaced by licensed MLB vendors.  

The rub is that MLB contributes a $100,000 grant to the league (which is primarily run by unpaid volunteers) and that would be in jeopardy if an agreement is not reached.

The CCBL has been around for decades. All of a sudden MLB wants a share of the Cape League? I guess I am getting an education on the CCBL, because I didn't know what a lucrative enterprise it was. Doesn't MLB make enough without picking the pockets of a small independent summer league? Is the incremental revenue really needed by Major League baseball?

As a side note, MLB also reaps other significant benefits from CCBL - FUTURE EMPLOYEES.

According to CCBL's website:

• Four of Top Five Draft Choices (projected by USA Today) are Cape Cod Baseball League Veterans
• 1 in 7 of all MLB players (1244) played in the CCBL
• 1 of 3 MLB players who played in college (515) played in the CCBL
• 197 CCBL players on MLB rosters in 2004
• There are over 1,000 former CCBL players in the majors today.

So providing a forum for approximately 1/3 of THEIR future players isn't enough? Wouldn't MLB WANT their teams represented? I think it's a safe assumption that everyone can make the distinction that the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox are not the Boston Red Sox.

And for those of you who will claim it's MLB's protected trademark and they are entitled to royalties derived from their name and likeness - true, but realistically hogwash. Let's be real here. It's a college summer league, similar to my son's Little League Team, the Braves.

My anger stems from the fact that the Cape League is like the Cape itself, is unique. It has a long tradition. But more so, because it is one of the few family oriented, inexpensive and fun events to attend.

I went to my first CCBL game last summer, subsequently followed by a dozen more. Approaching the gate, I had my wallet out for admission - there was none. I was given a program and line-up for each team. I was surprised. Heck, I have to pay admission to get into my son's freshman wrestling meets.

The only real solicitation for donations I experienced was a can (literally) passed around the bleachers, a 50/50 raffle, merchandise sales and a snack bar.

I never saw my children the whole game, they were involved in games of their own with a few dozen other kids they had met. The old time atmosphere and friendliness was infectious. A great game, great sportsmanship and an overall great time. And now MLB wants its piece.

So my outrage prompted me to come up with a resolution. Like they say, if you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Here is my proposal:

• 1. Dump all association with Major League Baseball. Nobody cares anyway.
• 2. Charge Admission. There are roughly 225 games per year including the All Star game and playoffs. If the league charged a nominal $1.50 per person admission (Still a great deal) and assuming a conservative 300 people attended per game, revenue would be $101,250.00 - making up the deficit lost from the MLB grant. I don't think charging an admission would taint the league or the experience. As a patron myself, I'd expect to pay something to help the cause. And for anyone who has been to a game, I think they'd gladly pay admission to support the prosperity of the league, and ultimately lending to its independence.
• 3. Come up with new team names, unique to the league. I bet they would sell more merchandise if the team name was Cape related (like the Brewster Whitecaps.) I bought a Y-D Red Sox cap last year. I didn't buy it because of the word "Sox' on it. I bought it because it was a CCBL cap.
• 4. To further save money, I am willing to release all consultative rights for providing new names for the affected teams. Name changes I suggest:

Chatham A's to The Chatham Coastliners

Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox to The Yarmouth-Dennis Corsairs (a Pirate operating in the Mediterranean.)

Harwich Mariners to The Harwich Harbormasters

Orleans Cardinals to The Orleans Fleet

Hyannis Mets to The Hyannis Cosmopolitans

I would encourage the CCBL to stand firm and not roll over and cede to the bullying of MLB. The league has a great following, and I know the good folks of Cape Cod would rally to replace any deficits created by the loss of any Major League grants. Despite any legal entitlements MLB does have, it's the principle of the argument. The money they will get from merchandise sales would be a pebble on the beach compared to their overall gross revenue. Conversely, the CCBL would be far more damaged by the loss of revenue, and the displacement of local businesses. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig recently reported in 2007 that "Major League Baseball has never been healthier financially." IN 2007, MLB generated a record $6.075 B-I-L-L-I-O-N in gross revenue. Hey Bud, I bought a Y-D Red Sox cap last summer. Where should I send the $1.75?