Cary


 * Corrected Personal narrative**

The summer of 2007 was by far the best summer of my life. I was apart of something that was never thought possible. I was one of fifteen kids on a baseball team who played through state and regional play relatively uncontested. We had no confidence in ourselves and we had no idea of what were about to embark on. Prior to our run, no one, not even us players, thought we could make it as far as we did. Despite our lack of confidence, we played better than expected and surprised all of our doubters. Before we had even arrived to Altamonte Springs for the tournament, we were already named one of the teams to beat. Four games had come and gone and we found ourselves playing in the state championship against state powerhouse and defending champion Jupiter. This game was definitely our defining moment and it gave us the swagger we needed for the rest of the summer. The championship game begun as scheduled but was stopped after just one pitch due to lightning in the area. We patiently waited to resume play but our hopes grew dim as the storm clouds rolled in closer and closer. The thunderstorm began and we all headed back to our hotels. We were told that the game would continue the next day, but Mother Nature would say otherwise. The next morning came early and we all met in the lobby of our hotel to find out if we were going to play that day. We all knew those chances were slim since it had rained all night and it was already overcast. Soon enough, our coaches confirmed our speculations and we were all left to play poker for the rest of the day. We woke up to sunshine and a cloud free sky the next morning and our whole team knew it was game time. The mood was quiet but serious as we left for the fields. When we got to the field, mentally prepared as we knew we had a daunting task in front of us. The Jupiter team was confident and they came into the game almost as if they had already won the game. We stretched out, warmed up and got ready to take care of business. The early innings of the game went by fast without a lot of action. It wasn’t until the middle innings until both teams had put a few runs on the board. By the 7th inning, we were winning five to four. Jupiter had men on base and threatened to score in each of the last 3 innings. During the final inning we got the first two out and a left handed hitter stepped to the plate. With one swing, a harmless groundball dribbled toward second, was handled and tossed to first for the final out. A dog pile ensued on the infield grass while it hit us that we had accomplished something that was deemed impossible. That state championship game on that hot July day is what carried us that summer. It proved that when a team comes together as one, anything is possible. It gave us the confidence knowing that there was no other team better than us. It gave us the confidence to beat Tennessee for the championship of the Southeast United States. It gave us the confidence to accept defeat when we lost for the first time in the World Series. It gave us the confidence to know that despite not being the best team in the world, we were in fact the most confident team in the world.

Cary Panichello Mrs. Reid English IV Honors-Period 6 Major League Baseball and a Salary Cap Major League Baseball, abbreviated MLB, is a professional baseball league that operates 30 teams, 29 in the United States and one in Canada. Each season the league easily generates more than $1 billion in revenue. These 30 teams play in 25 cities, or markets, across the country. Some of these markets are larger than others, which causes there to be both a larger difference in value and payroll for each team. Despite the lack of a salary cap, MLB does have a luxury tax. Some would argue that it is unfair to the smaller market clubs because it makes it harder to compete when the area they play in restricts them in signing high caliber players. Others could argue that the amounts of money spent on players should be disallowed especially in today’s economic troubles and that a salary cap would even the playing field of competition. Although Major League Baseball has a varying luxury tax, a salary cap should be established in an attempt to control team spending to accommodate troubling economic times without affecting revenue or diminishing the fans love of the game. Most baseball fans would say “if it is not broke, do not fix it.” They claim that despite our current economy crisis, the entertainment value of baseball is still at an all time high. Although they may be correct, most of those people could be considered large market fans who hope that a salary cap is not implemented, thus limiting their teams spending. They should be reminded that baseball’s entertainment value could still be at all times highs even with an economy at an all time low. The team that would be most affected by a salary cap would be the New York Yankees. With a 2008 payroll of $222.5 million, the team chairman Hank Steinbrenner said, “because of revenue sharing and because of the popularity nationwide, the Yankees are critical to baseball” (Dittmeier). If established, some players would have to take pay cuts, but it would even the playing field and would allow the small market teams to sign more all stars. That would in turn cause the team to sell more tickets and bring in a larger television audience because fans want to see a winning team. Even though their spending would be cut, the large market teams wouldn’t have a loss in revenue where the small market teams would gain revenue. Thus, the league as a whole would make more money with a salary cap and with more competitive teams. Although Major League Baseball does not have a set salary cap, it does have a luxury tax which is as close to a salary cap as possible. The luxury tax is a set number, $155 million in 2008, which would require a team to pay a percentage of their payroll to the league if their payroll should exceed that number. That amount is usually distributed among the small market teams. Even with a luxury tax, teams are still obligated to spend over that limit, not worrying about being taxed. As of the 2008 season, only the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers were assessed a luxury tax. Their so called slap on the wrist could be considered pocket change and didn’t affect the Yankees one bit; the following off season they spent over $400 million on just three players and built a $1 billion stadium. “Not having a salary cap in baseball discourages teams such as the Twins or Brewers from even attempting to negotiate a contract with a free agent superstar.” (Vircks) Even after the addition of those three players and their new stadium, the Yankees still had the incentive to set some ticket prices in excess of $1,000. That off season spending spree has negatively affected attendance numbers so far this year and is a perfect reason why a salary cap should be enacted.  Statistics have proven that annual payrolls and revenue have drastically increased over the past 15 to 20 years. They also show the relationship between payroll and the chances of the team making the playoffs. In short, money can buy you a playoff appearance. The 1997 and 2003 Florida Marlins and the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays, however, shocked the world and defied the odds when they made runs to the World Series with team payrolls of $40 million or less. They are a good example of how team revenue can increase when a team succeeds. Attendance skyrocketed and memorabilia sales increased and have allowed the team and its fans to have high expectations for the following seasons. “To effectively address this issue, you have to ask if parity is a legitimate problem in the current system. Critics argue that the answer is obvious: when one team can spend $423 million on three players and other teams spend less than 30 million dollars on their entire team.” (Raymond). The addition of a salary cap would allow the Marlins, Rays and other small market teams to compete more often with the likes of the Yankees and Red Sox. This would in turn increase league revenue because of the better competition and the success of the small market teams.  Baseball has always been known as America’s Pastime. Some fear that if a salary cap is put into effect, the fans love for the game would diminish. If anything, baseball would gain more fans and revenue. With a set spending limit and a more even playing field, the competition would increase and become more exciting. The small market teams would be poised to sign big money stars, instead of depending entirely on homegrown talent. Fans of the small market teams would be willing to spend money on tickets to see their team win. The Twins are a perfect example of that. Year in and year out, they are in the playoff mix and their attendance numbers show that winning draws fans. The Brewers are another perfect example, with their recent rise to success more fans in Milwaukee are coming out to see them play. Starting in 1991, the Atlanta Braves had won the National League East every year until 2006, another prime example of how the teams that used to dominate are losing their lust. The 2008 Rays showed that they could compete in arguably the most difficult division to play in. Even without a salary cap, some teams are beginning to show that they can win without hundred million dollar payrolls and that there will no longer be multiple teams with over 100 losses. The divisions are slowly but surely becoming more competitive and it’s almost a guarantee that a new set of teams will make the playoffs every year. Baseball fans should be excited to see which team will be the so called “Cinderella” in seasons to come.  All in all, Major League Baseball attendance numbers, revenues and ratings would skyrocket should a salary cap be established. All those against a salary cap should take the time to realize that an infinite number of dollars spent on players is absurd, especially in troubling economic times. Stadiums would be filled and even spring training numbers would increase. Let’s face it, every aspect of Major League Baseball would benefit with the implementation of a salary cap.

October 1, 2009 

The Honorable Bill Nelson  716 Hart Senate Office Building  Washington DC 20510  Phone: (202) 224-5274 

Dear Senator Nelson, 

As a high school senior from Florida, college is weighing very heavily on my mind. Which college to choose and how much it will cost me is something that is beyond me. I heard recently that a bill had been passed to raise the tuition by fifteen percent every year until it reaches the national average. I live in a middle class family and I know that tuition will be a big part of my college choice. Statistics show that Florida has the second cheapest tuition in the nation. Even though I know I have the grades and scores to get into college, the cost of tuition will be major deciding factor on which college I go to. Living in a middle class family in today’s economy, affording the tuition now will be a challenge let alone the prices for the next four years. I personally cannot believe how this bill passed when one of the main focuses of our nation is education. How can it be a focal point when we are making it harder for families to afford it? This bill is just proof that education is on the back burner in terms of importance to our national lawmakers and leaders. I urge you to take action against this law and amend it for all the people who could have a future if they can pay for college. You would not only be helping me but millions of others who are preparing for college. Thank you so much for you time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Cary Panichello

Stefan Fatsis. "What Recession? We're Ballplayers." New York Times (New York, NY) 07 Dec 2008: WK. 5. //SIRS Researcher. // Web. 13 October 2009.

Playing professional sports is a very lucrative career and will be so long as people shell out the money to see them play. Even in today’s economy, athletes will be paid, overpaid in some people’s eyes. Most people would agree that baseball players are paid the most and as a baseball player myself, I can’t help but agree. This author made very strong points and supported his case well. I believe that he could have added in more facts to further strengthen his case but his view is easily stated and understood. I plan to use this article in my project because it does a good job in pinpointing the problems that face not only Major League Baseball, but the other 3 major sports leagues.

Allen Barra. "Sports Salaries Show What We Really Value." Wall Street Journal 01 Jul 2009: A11. //SIRS Researcher.// Web. 13 October 2009.

Twenty-one year old Stephen Strasburg is on the verge of signing a record breaking deal which would allow him to retire before he even pitches one inning in the major leagues. This just goes to show how professional athletes are being excessivley overpaid especially in an economy like today's. This author uses good solid facts to prove his points and shows how much the prices have gone up over the past few years. He could could use a couple more viewpoints and facts to strenthen his article, but all in all he has a very strong case. This piece will contribute to my project in more ways than one. I will use it in my research as well as towards to my final product.

Ken Belson. "Greedy? Not By Wall St. Standards." New York Times (New York, NY) 30 Oct 2007: B. 3. //SIRS Researcher.// Web. 13 October 2009.

Although many people would say that professional players are overpaid, Wall Street Standards say otherwise. Some of the richest althletes are still not payed as much as some financial leaders across the nation, which says alot. This author uses good comparisons and ties it into the real world. He uses a fans perspective and that some fans don't like that players are paid too much. I will use the aritcle in my research when i write in a fans perspective.