Comments on: Judge Rules Against Paxton

By: Bob Cobb

Bob Cobb — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:35:52 +0000

If we step back from the fact that Baxton may have broke the rules, we need to question the rules. Are they legitimate? It was against the law for slaves to escape, does that mean that it was a valid law that should never be questioned? Similarly, what negative effect does player/agent interaction have on competition? Zero. This is same battle over "amateurism" that Oregon track legend Steve Prefontaine challenged many years back by refusing to run in AAU sanctioned events. If the NCAA really cared about "amateurism" they wouldn't use their players in advertisements or promotional materials -which always benefit the university financially. If the NCAA cared about gamblers buying off players –they would put a stop to the nationwide gambling institution of the NCAA tournament bracket. This case is really more about (1) throwing Paxton under the bus (2) dislike for Scott Boras (3) a member of the Blue Jays front office saying in public what the NCAA knows in private. The lesson here: Players and the MLB can do as they wish… just don't talk about it.

By: Charles

Charles — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:00:05 +0000

Hey if he went against the rules, I guess he needs to be held back in the draft.

By: Bob Cobb

Bob Cobb — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 02:10:57 +0000

Just another example of the NCAA cartel bullying kids who step out of line.

By: Joshua Shea

Joshua Shea — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:45:12 +0000

It's about time that amatuer baseball players are put under the same scrutiny as every other student athlete playing in other sports. For some odd reason, a baseball player is allowed to hire an 'advisor' to conduct contract negotiations. That 'advisor' doesn't become the players 'agent' until the contract is signed. Therefore, all amatuer baseball players who were drafted and hired an advisor should be deemed ineligible from NCAA competition. Just like a football player who hires and agent before his eligibility is exhausted. The NCAA should just clarify their rules and say that players who hire advisors are therefore professional. Paxton has been given an 'out', but doesn't seem like he'll even try to use it. Next move for Paxton is probably to St. Paul or some other Indy team until next summer's draft.