From Rich Lederer at Baseball Analysts comes news that the Baseball Writers Association of America for the first time has admitted 16 writers for web sites.
I believe that all 16 who were admitted had all written for newspapers prior to moving to sites such as ESPN.com or Yahoo, e.g. Peter Gammons, Jayson Stark, Tim Kurkjian, Tim Brown, and Steve Henson.
It's not that BBWAA members are elitist (though we probably are), but this is a problem that all the writers' associations have to deal with. The problem is coming up with a rule that creates a bright line: Sure, it's obvious that Gammons should be in, but you need a rule that allows you to differentiate between Peter Gammons and John Doe with a website. You need a rule that is more than just, "Well, you're not Peter Gammons. You're not Yahoo! Or espn.com." Since being a BBWAA member comes with certain priveleges, not the least of which is a membership card that allows you access to any big-league ballpark, you need to show some discretion and come up with an enforceable guideline that isn't just, "Well, it's obvious." It's no small source of irritation for mlb.com reporters that they can't join.
That's an amazing exchange on Rich's site. The immediate visceral reaction is tempered by the responses. I wouldn't have expected the "authorities" to weigh in (nor Rob to toss his own bouquets). In the end it sounds reasonable...
Maybe this interweb thingie is catching on...
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Maybe this interweb thingie is catching on...
Comment status: comments have been closed. Baseball Toaster is now out of business.