I thoroughly enjoyed watching MLB's 15 inning All-Star game, going into early Wednesday morning with a fine display of pitching by Aaron Cook, and a defensive clinic by the NL (after Uggla's errors, they perfectly executed the bases-loaded force out plays). It was also nice to see the AS Game won on a play at the plate -- a very high stakes play, and quite an enjoyable baseball game overall.

However, the game showed MLB's bigtime flaw with managing the game: simply putting the WS home-field advantage on the game does not keep a game from entering the deep extra innings. Although baseball is generally a 9 inning affair, no one can actually plan an event around a baseball game actually going 9 innings. Moreover, even with the extra roster spots in place to help keep an extra innings game from wearing out certain players, as opposed to the starters, managers have consistently proven that even with expanded rosters, they will try to play every player.

Here are some simple solutions:

(1) If MLB wants every player to play, keep expanded rosters, and have home-field ride on the AS game, why not make the AS event a best-of-3 series? With rosters as large as they are for the AS games, a single-day doubleheader could be very feasible, and a second day could be used if a third game is needed.

This would give the MLB its greatest win-win with the event: it would mean something, and keep the baseball at an exceptional level; also, it would allow every player to play, and not simply in a 1-2 IP showing.

Moreover, starters could be extended beyond the 1 IP appearance, and pitch 30-45 pitches in 2-3 innings. This would be a much more appropriate work level than punishing the relief pitchers remaining in the 11th inning to pitch 3 IP.

(2) If MLB wants the game to go nine innings only, make it a true exhibition. Get all the players in, don't have it mean anything, and allow ties to occur. That's the only way to force a baseball game at end after 9 innings.

(3) Return to the old format of rotating WS home field advantage league-by-league, every other year.

I like the first option the best, as a baseball fan. Who wouldn't want to spend a full day at the stadium, watching more than 50 of baseball's biggest stars fight it out for home field advantage? Add in a third game, an extra day of rest, and the season would not need to go much deeper into September/October, and the pay-off could be a much better AS event.