Tools for this page
Print

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Baseball's official home is saaaafe, but has ads.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    The message boards are one of the few places to watch. Although there are strict guidelines that appear to be enforced, users have found ways around this. Many times this is in the context of adult-oriented discussions not having anything to do with baseball. For instance, one discussion on gay rights used the word "ga.y" to keep the message from getting flagged. Another discussion was about abortion, clearly not relevant to an MLB board. Violators can at least be easily reported.

  • Consumerism:

    Large portions of the home page announce sales on merchandise, ticket specials, and auction deals. There are also games and contests promoted by advertisers and banner ads galore.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About MLB

Parents need to know that baseball's official site has so much advertising and sponsorship, it could be a model for how to combine promotion into every facet of a Web site. The strikes: There's not only the obvious e-commerce areas (official shop, auction pages, a ticket sales center), but there are also more subtle forms of advertising such as smaller banner ads, sponsored sweepstakes, and upgrades for premium site privileges. If that wasn't enough, banner ads are customized based on user interest (search for Philadelphia Phillie Chase Utley, and get directed to Utley's player bio page where there happens to be several banner ads for Phillies M&M's candies). The home runs: Safe message boards and enough baseball info to satisfy even hardcore fans.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how advertising and sports go hand in hand. What makes the baseball so appealing for advertisers? Is it because the players are so admired? How are products tied into the sport? You could look at the naming of stadiums, player endorsements, and sportswear as prime examples of baseball's promotion of products.
Tools and tips that can help

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Use this Web site? Review It!

  • What did you think about MLB?

  •  I think this Web site is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Age 9+
    Where the Wild Things Are

    Where the Wild Things Are

    Sometimes-dark adaptation focuses on friendship, loneliness.

  • Advice for Parents

    Are Your Kids Obsessed with Twilight & New Moon?

    Are Your Kids Obsessed with Twilight & New Moon?

    Discussion pointers for parents of "twilighters."

  • Book of the Week

    Age 15+
    Lips Touch Three Times

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Wildly inventive, wonderful fairy tales for mature teens.

  • Pick of the Week

    Bestselling Books

    Bestselling Books

    Popular new reads kids are buying today.

  • Download This

    Age 3+
    "Wash Your Hands" (CD single)

    "Wash Your Hands" (CD single)

    "Acccchhhoooo!" A funny reminder to help kids fight the flu.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.