Fractured Pastime

Baseball is broken, and we’re not just talking about the product that the Kansas City Royals put on the field every night. From the steroid era to small-market teams’ inability to compete, the sport is struggling mightily in the PR department. Royals broadcaster Denny Matthews doesn’t have all the answers, but he does offer some suggestions in his new book, Hi, Anybody! Why I Love Baseball and What I’d Do to Fix It. Among Matthews’ solutions: doing away with the designated hitter, shortening the length of the season, and eliminating the wild card to get the two best teams into the World Series (a move that would not bode well for the Royals). Feel free to take Matthews to task — or simply express your gratitude — when he signs copies of his new book at the KU Bookstore in the Student Union of the KU Edwards Campus (12600 Quivira in Overland Park, 913-897-8580) alongside co-author Matt Fulks. The free event runs from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Tue., July 21, 1-2 p.m., 2009