Is violence, fights, and brawls a necessary part of certain sports that are inherent in those games? Should players be allowed to police themselves?
Baltimore Ravens safety Sidney Pollard predicted in a published article on January 28th,2013 that the game of football will no longer exist in 30 years. He could also envision a death on the field as a result of stronger, faster, and more calamatous hits in the modern game.
His first point is that fans will get fed up with endless penalties that are intended to protect players from concussions or other injuries. Hence the pace of the game and the interference by officials will lead to a disinterested fan base.
I doubt that his prognostication will come true , but football is dealing with the violent nature of the game by mandating improved helmets and other rules that protect players. In my opinion, they really must. Law suits by players against the league could severely damage the financial stability of the game. Moreover, it is the right thing to do.
On January 30th ,2013, former All-Pro Rodney Harrison and current television analyst, told Bob Costas that he is scared to death about his future health.He is only 40 and already sees signs of symptoms associated with cumulative head trauma.He has had 20 concussions during his career.He claomed that for many years, he was unaware of the dangers of concussions.
Baseball is doing something as well for 2013 by mandating the use of a batting helmet that protects batters from pitches up to 100 mph. Pitchers are stronger and faster and a wayward pitch or a pitch delivered with a purpose could cause serious damage. Retaliation in football or baseball can sometimes lead to long losses of playing time or lifetime injuries.It is better to be safe. In a risk/safety analysis, it is the right thing to do.Fans will adjust and both games will exist long after Pollard's prediction. Baseball has it's own problems too. Recall the Dodgers and Padres fight earlier in the year that led to Zach Greinke landing on the DL for six weeks. Then there was the recent quid pro quo retaliation between those same Dodgers and the Diamondbacks. Suspensions were given to 10 players after both benches cleared and punches were thrown . At what point are players permitted to police themselves because of the unwritten culture of the game? When should society's laws intercede and prevail over custom?
If you would be interested in a fictitious account of violence in a baseball settting with the use of a bean ball in retaliation, see my novel A Pitch For Justice on Amazon .http://www.amazon.com/A-Pitch-for-Justice-ebook/dp/B007AIQO0A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371828544&sr=8-1&keywords=kasselman
