Every little thing’s gonna be alright … or is it?
A little-known new Major League Baseball rule going into effect this season that will limit walkup music to 15-second snippets — presumably to speed up the pace of games — is seriously harshing the buzz of Shane Victorino and the denizens of Fenway Park, who have made a ritual of singing along to Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” as the Red Sox right fielder strides to the plate.
According to WEEI, the reggae classic used for Victorino’s at-bats usually plays for about 20 seconds. “Don’t worry…” will make it in under the 15-second limit, but the audio will have to cut out before the karaoke crescendo: “…about a thing. Because every little thing gonna be alright.”
Victorino isn’t pleased, telling WEEI: “I just think it’s not right. It’s disappointing to hear that. … So this little stuff they want to change with music, for a guy like me of course it sucks because it’s not necessarily for me but it’s part of everything that goes on at Fenway Park when I walk up to the plate. Now you’re going to have so many disappointed fans every night because you’re changing that part of the game.”
Sounds like maybe the Red Sox PA guy should get up, stand up, stand up for his rights.