The hypocricy of the Spiderman outrage

[matmat]

out allstate coverage of baseball on *channel X* brings you today the New York Yankees sponsored by Spiderman 4 at The Boston Redsox sponsored by Batman 7. We now switch over to our Modell's Sporting Goods camera in center field at MetLife/Fenway Park.

The batter at the palye, sponsored by extra strength pain killer *insert slogan here* is Derek Jeter. On the mound is Derek Lowe who is sponsored by *some cruise line -- insert slogan*

[Mookie4ever]

Quick question for those who don't like the Spiderman ads (and I'm probably in that camp myself): how do you feel about the planned logos promoting cancer awareness? Or how about commemorative World Series logos?

I think that those are great (even considering the slippery slope argument)

I don't like the ads either - I think that they are in poor taste. I just don't believe that anyone can hold up the pure and holy tradition of the game as an argument agains the ads.

[wrveres]

Quick question for those who don't like the Spiderman ads (and I'm probably in that camp myself): how do you feel about the planned logos promoting cancer awareness? Or how about commemorative World Series logos?

that is something totally different .... I guess ....

[Amazinz]

Quick question for those who don't like the Spiderman ads (and I'm probably in that camp myself): how do you feel about the planned logos promoting cancer awareness? Or how about commemorative World Series logos?

that is something totally different .... I guess ....

I don't think it's different. I imagine you can argue that since they aren't making money off of it then it's OK. I am all for promoting the awareness of breast cancer for women and prostate cancer for men (or vice versa for that matter) but it still sets a bad precedent. In my cynical opinion they only did that to lessen the blow of the Spidey ads which is deplorable.

[Amazinz]

I just don't believe that anyone can hold up the pure and holy tradition of the game as an argument agains the ads.

It's not that the tradition is pure and holy it's just purely tradition. We have had the tradition of not littering the playing surface with anything unrelated to the game. Baseball teams have to get special permission just to wear patches commemorating a person or event. The Mets had to get OK'd by the league to wear Police & Fire Dept. hats commemorating 9/11. It's OK IMO to break tradition for a valid reason, I just don't think a little extra ad space as valid.

[CubsFan7724]

I think the biggest joke is the reason they say for doing this? "We think it will attract young fans." Alright, regular teenager who doesnt have attention span for baseball, "WOAH, those bases have spiderman 2 ads on them! Thats mind blowing! I love baseball because of these ads! Its like a living mirror!" Like that is going to happen. The only reason they do this is to pocket more money. "Attract young fans" my ass. Wont be too long till we see new advertised bags for every 3 game set. The webbing thing with the guy climbing it was corny as hell and I would rather have the bags than that crap. What if you had a seat behind home plate? How could you see? Oh, and Bronson Pinchot, do you work for "Spider-Man 2" marketing? Because I cant believe any baseball fan wouldn't find this pretty stupid.

[Tavish]

The one interesting argument was that this is the thin edge of the wedge (or a slippery slope) and soon the players will be dressed up like NASCAR drivers. Where is your evidence of this?

There is none, that's why its a fallacy. But not all slippery slopes are false. It is possible that Selig will continue to push more aggressive advertising campaigns to line his pockets. The Spiderman ads don't upset me, but they do concern me.

And if this is a real concern shouldn't people have objected when they first put advertising in the ballparks or when they put commercials on during the game.

I'm not sure about the reaction to the first ads in ballparks, but I do know that they are now(and have been for years) paying the price for commercials. Game times are lengthened to accomodate TV sponsors and it is the slow pace of play that has been most attributed to youth disinterest (if you buy into the youth being disinterested).
What will be the windfall of allowing sponsors more control of the game? To avoid another slippery slope argument I will just say I have no idea, but would rather not find out.

[willieroe]

AP now reporting that the SpiderMan 2 base promotion has been dropped by MLB.

[swingaway]

not totally dropped just the part where theres ads on bases everything else is staying. There will be logos on signs and stuff in parks.

[CubsFan7724]

Besides the guy climbing on the webbing the base were the stupidest idea. Im glad that these ugly monstrosites are gone. Did you hear what these things would like? The bag would be red, with yellow and black webbing on it. How eye burning.