Panelists: The six fanatics who expressed views on how to improve baseball

The six panelists interviewed by The Times for their views on a possible future for baseball:

Ken Burns is an Academy Award-nominated director whose documentary films include “Brooklyn Bridge” and “The Civil War.” He loves baseball because it is the only sport with irregular fields, the only sport where the defense has the ball and “it’s not on ice.”

Ron Shelton has written and directed a number of sports-related films, including “Bull Durham,” “Tin Cup” and “White Men Can’t Jump.” He considers the late major league owner Bill Veeck “a genius.”

Charles Fazzino’s 3-D pop art is exhibited in hundreds of galleries internationally, including the Art One Gallery in Santa Monica. He has turned baseballs, football helmets and tennis racquets into colorful artwork.

Peter Pucci’s “Pucci:Sport” incorporates movement from baseball, surfing, basketball and other sports. This summer, the former third baseman will participate in the National Choreographers Initiative in Irvine.

Bob Jacobsen is a physics professor at the University of California Berkeley. He grew up in New York City as a Mets fan and believes the designated hitter “does some violence to the game.”

James Denton calls himself “a seam head” and, in addition to owning part of the Orange County Flyers team, has run a fantasy baseball league for 25 years. His acting credits include “Desperate Housewives,” “JAG” and “The West Wing.”

—David Wharton