Baseball's Other Racial Barrier

It's hard to watch the college-baseball World Series, under way now in Omaha, Neb., without noticing how different the college game is from the major-league version. Not in the caliber of play or the funny ping of the aluminum bats, but in the way the players look.

College players in the three main divisions are 86% white, according to the most-recent NCAA figures. That's a big difference from Major League Baseball, where one study puts the number at less than 60%. The most striking difference is in the number of Latinos on the field: They made up about 29% of all major leaguers in 2007 but only 5% of players in college.

3 months ago winningugly Comment 5 comments 0 recs |

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Always trying to stir the pot, eh WU?

But seriously, do those numbers reflect the demographics of the greater student populations?

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

by rhythm on Jun 25, 2008 2:59 AM CDT 0 recs

i would assume not

i wonder if college basketball has a striking opposite trend, or a demographic breakdown (black/white only mind you) that is more representative of the general ncaa I student population.

"I got the shotgun. You got the briefcase. It's all in the game though, right? "

by onlysoxfaninboston on Jun 25, 2008 6:49 AM CDT up 0 recs

Pretty dumb article

Every country except the US treats their athletes like professionals from the time they are in middle school. There is no concept of a “scholarship” to go to college. If you’re good enough you play in the various professional leagues.

And what percent of Latin players are even looking to go to an American college to play baseball? I’m sure they’d probably rather player in the various Latin pro leagues until they are good enough to get their shot in the American pro system.

by madvillian on Jun 25, 2008 12:00 PM CDT 0 recs

Well, at least you have an open mind, mv

CWS: Slashing negative expectations since May, 2008.

by winningugly on Jun 25, 2008 12:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

I just think that the article implied

That overt, instituational racism was at the core of the issue, i.e. not giving scholarships to latin players over (presumbably) less or equally talanted white players.

I think the issue is more nuanced, so much so that any instituional racism (and I have no doubt some exists) is probably a minor factor in seeing the demographics so skewed White.

by madvillian on Jun 25, 2008 3:53 PM CDT up 0 recs