I am responding to the article on the possibility of delaying the start of baseball ("Later start date could benefit Penn State," Feb. 23). While I agree the NCAA must take action to eliminate regional advantage in college baseball, delaying opening day would pose many problems. First, the cost of housing players through June may prove too costly for some smaller programs.

Secondly, this might eliminate Minor League Short-Season teams, such as the team that will share Penn State's new ballpark. Without this bridge to higher levels of baseball, top players might opt against playing college baseball and stick to the Minor Leagues. Finally, this proposal will force teams to play the majority of games after students have left for summer break, cutting into attendance.

Instead, the NCAA should cut down the length of the season. NCAA baseball currently begins Feb. 1, and Penn State plays about 45 baseball games.

If the baseball season began April 1, teams can play a competitive 30 game season before the conference tournaments.

Schools could play more games by using doubleheaders, and would play a limited number of exhibition games.

A shorter season will make each game valuable and increase attendance.

Obviously, the southern schools will object because they already have high attendance with a large number of home games to generate funds.

However, with increased attention nationally to college baseball, television will begin to cover more games.

Although both plans pose problems, the NCAA needs a way to level the playing field for college baseball.