Take me out to the game show

It's one, two, three strikes you're out at the old ball game...show. MLB Network will debut a baseball trivia quizzer on Tuesday, January 24. The title is Baseball IQ, which is not a contradiction in terms (I think).

Thirty-two trivia mavens will pair off for one-on-one battles, leading to the final show on February 23. Prize money is kind of chintzy, but these folks aren't represented by Scott Boras. Instead, each of the thirty major-league clubs picked a trivia buff from their front offices. MLB.com and the Hall of Fame also got selections to round out the field.

MLB Network anchor Matt Vasgersian will host. He certainly has some applicable experience, like the gigs on Sports Geniuses and GSN's blackjack shows. Vasgersian has endured a few controversies during his sportscasting career. But he's sharp and witty enough and should keep the proceedings lively.

The rules (naturally a baseball game show has a published rulebook) say the game is played in, of course, nine innings. In fact, contestants can even go for "big innings." There are no relief contestants, though, if somebody tires in the late innings. Anyway, this baseball and game show fan will be watching.