I understand the baseball All-Star games are planned years in advance, but how does Major League Baseball determine which cities will host the game?

robboy

The selection is entirely in the hands of the office of the Baseball Commissioner, and the current process for which one is to alternate between American League/National League team home towns each year. This will change in '07 when the game will be played in San Francisco, but basically the selection is supposedly intended to showcase newer parks. Jul 12 05, 11:24 PM

LeakyPickle

Not sure that's true, since it seems to be a rather inconsistent process. Cincinnati has not hosted the game since 1988. Their new park was operational in 2003. Not scheduled anytime soon either. Jul 13 05, 5:45 AM

robboy

Not sure what you're not sure about. One thing that is sure, though, is that it's a decision of the Commissioner's office, and the comments made by Bud Selig supposedly (emphasis there) indicate he wants to put more exposure on the newer parks. There are inconsistencies in that, which indicates to me that the decision isn't entirely his, or he's ineffective commissioner he's been reported to be. Jul 13 05, 6:47 AM

LeakyPickle

Only that I'm not sure the process is intended to showcase newer parks. I can't suggest that being the commissioner of baseball is an easy job...but since actions speak louder than words, I favor the opinion that Selig isn't very effective. Procrastination and poor decisions (when he does make them) seem to be his M.O. Jul 14 05, 8:11 AM

robboy

Bingo. Jul 14 05, 9:57 AM