A first encounter with the MLB splash page leaves the feeling of…confusion. The interface, while neatly framed, is frenetic and frantic to look at—an interesting contrast from the laid-back pace of the game. What is perhaps most embarrassing (or most cowardly, depending on your point of view) is the predominant use of blue on the site. In and of itself, this may not seem like such a design faux pas, but unfortunately the other three major pro sport leagues in North America (NBA, NFL, and NHL) also feature the blue and white (in almost the exact same way) throughout their sites. In fact, open up these sports league sites side by side, and the only real differences are the names and logos.

Other revenue-generators are banner ads by third-party companies, auctions of signed memorabilia, and standard shopping for official MLB team products through its online catalogue. Fee-based mobile services include text alerts and live game-day audio.

Though baseball joins the stars-and-stripes flag and apple pie as the American-icon triple play, many of its players hail from outside the US, including the Caribbean, South America, and the Far East. Thus, to remain as inclusive online as it is on the field, the website is available in Spanish, Korean, and Japanese. As with other sports leagues, the MLB is embracing and tapping into its global fan base, too: 10 percent of its $5.2 billion revenues in 2006 came from international markets.

It also offers a page for kids (not so creatively called "Kids' Club") complete with basic baseball info and various (Apple-incompatible) games attracting age ranges from preschool to late-elementary school. Cartoon graphics are mingled with the straight-laced, corporate template design to provide a kids area that overall skews extremely young in age. If the MLB hopes to reach tweens or even teens, "Kids' Club" strikes out.

Other than the subscription TV service, these "added-value" features are largely standard fare for all of the sports league websites. Overall, there is very little differentiation.

As hard as the MLB tries to stand out among the other three-lettered sports leagues as an online leader, the site still falls a few runs short. Perhaps the brand is swinging the bat too hard.