It seems that Major League Baseball is going to add a new twist to the All Star Balloting: http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/n...0520&content_id=29316&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp Fans to get final All-Star word By Tom Singer / MLB.com All-Star controversies follow All-Star team selections. That's been the natural order of things virtually since the first NL and AL squads met in Comiskey Park in 1933. The arguments, it seems, have only intensified since baseball fans regained their All-Star vote in 1970. Since then, fans have chosen only the starting lineups, with the remainder of the squads hand picked by the respective league managers. And every summer, fans grouse about deserving players left off the All-Star benches. Not this time, perhaps. This summer will be different in a big way. Fans will have the last word on the rosters to appear July 9 at Miller Park in Milwaukee. [All-Star ballot] Rather than just vent, fans will be able to log on to MLB.com and cast e-votes long after the final paper votes have been tallied -- raising the only voice that will be heard on who is, or isn't, a 2002 All-Star. Welcome to the exclusive "The All-Star 30th Man" program, whereby the valuable final roster spots on the NL and AL All-Star squads will be determined solely by online votes recorded at MLB.com, with links to the ballot also available at ESPN.com. This unprecedented, dramatic conclusion to pre-All-Star Game festivities will begin on June 30, with the 7 p.m. live "Major League Baseball All-Star Selection Show" on ESPN. The catch: Managers Joe Torre of the American League and Bob Brenly of the National League will respectively announce only 21 additions, including pitchers, to the eight-man starting lineups. Immediately following the conclusion of the one-hour telecast, fans will have two days to exclusively cast their votes for each league's 30th man. Fans will make their choices from a list of five position players as determined by Torre, Brenly and MLB. The two winners of "The All-Star 30th Man" program will be revealed on MLB.com on Tuesday, July 2. "The fans have been involved for a long time, and a lot of times they're going to vote for their favorites whether they're doing well or not," said Torre. "That's what the All-Star Game is all about -- it's for the fans. "The fans get a kick out of doing this. When they're watching the game, they can feel as if they had something to do with it. The All-Star Game is an exhibit and a great exhibition. The 2002 All-Star selection thus begins and ends with fans. Here is a detailed look at how it will work: * Traditional All-Star balloting, which began online on May 1, will determine the eight starters for each league. * Subsequently, managers Torre and Brenly will choose the balance of the pitching staffs and reserves to round out their rosters -- stopping at 29. * After the conclusion of the popular balloting, the managers and MLB will digest the typical buzz generated by the selections and compile their lists of five players whose omissions generated the loudest media and public outcries. * Visitors to MLB.com and ESPN.com then will have two days to punch out their choices on the online ballot -- with the opportunity also to type in their own choices. This special balloting will determine the 30th man on each league's All-Star squad. No ifs, ands or buts. The last word. Sounds like an interesting idea. But it will probably turn into a click fest to see who can click the most times for their guy. CK
