Savanah Bananas tonight at Sox Park

[fathom]

1 hour ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

It’s more like WWE — sports entertainment.  They aren’t really hot dogging to show each other up.  They are doing it to entertain the crowd.

They are going for family fun and other goofy stuff that will interest children that probably think MLB baseball is too long and boring.  However, they are also targeting females with a bunch of young players doing their sexy dances without their jerseys on.  🤣

Yep it definitely had a WWE feel.  Some things work, some don’t.

[JoeC]

I don't think anyone is telling anyone else they can't like Banana Ball, so I'm not sure what the issue is.

[nrockway]

I watched a little bit of some 'banana ball' earlier. Party Animals vs Tailgaters. Not the Savannah team. 

It just seemed like boring baseball being played in cutoff shirts. Lots of commercials and otherwise just regular, non-professional baseball with some guys shimmying their shoulders in the background. Some guy rode around on a 4 wheeler and hi-fived some kids. They played some cornhole. They brought out Logan Forsythe as the 'MLB star' (remember him? barely) who took a walk and probably should've struck out looking but got some generous calls.

Maybe the Savannah guys are showmen, but these other dudes certainly were not. 

[Chick Mercedes]

11 hours ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

It’s more like WWE — sports entertainment.  They aren’t really hot dogging to show each other up.  They are doing it to entertain the crowd.

They are going for family fun and other goofy stuff that will interest children that probably think MLB baseball is too long and boring.  However, they are also targeting females with a bunch of young players doing their sexy dances without their jerseys on.  🤣

WWE, Magic Mike,  children and youth oriented cornball is not for everyone. Entertainment is in the eye of the beholder.  

Edited August 23 by Chick Mercedes

[caulfield12]

23 minutes ago, Chick Mercedes said:

WWE, Magic Mike,  children and youth oriented cornball is not for everyone. Entertainment is in the eye of the beholder.  

Don't forget "KPop Demon Hunters" sing-a-long sellouts in theatres across the country...

[Chick Mercedes]

10 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

Wasn't Babe Ruth really the first hot dog?

Or was it Satchel Paige and Cool Papa Bell?

Babe Ruth ate a lot of hot dogs.

[caulfield12]

4 minutes ago, Chick Mercedes said:

Babe Ruth ate a lot of hot dogs.

Called shot not a bit hot doggish?

Like the LLWS kid telegraphing to the batter what pitch was coming...

[Chick Mercedes]

23 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

Don't forget "KPop Demon Hunters" sing-a-long sellouts in theatres across the country...

MLB ratings may be moving in the right direction, but more KPop is not traced among factors.

[nrockway]

11 hours ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

It’s more like WWE — sports entertainment.  They aren’t really hot dogging to show each other up.  They are doing it to entertain the crowd.

They are going for family fun and other goofy stuff that will interest children that probably think MLB baseball is too long and boring.  However, they are also targeting females with a bunch of young players doing their sexy dances without their jerseys on.  🤣

The girlies like going to baseball games regardless. Anecdotally, I like it as a date (cheap date because I'm a Sox fan) and we have fun even if it's just sitting in the ChiSox bar or walking around the park. The energy at a baseball game is fun regardless if you like the sport or not or even if the team is any good. My chauvinistic impression is baseball is a better sport for it than any of the others. Bulls games are less fun for this since it's non-stop, action-packed sports (also more expensive). No organ, no fireworks, no time to chit-chat or wander around. Football might be different but I've never attended a NFL game. Hockey is much like basketball in this way except the other fans yell at you when you stand up and walk around.

But I'd ask the question: are women showing up to banana ball in significant numbers by themselves/with their girlfriends, without their husband/boyfriend? I kinda doubt it.

I'm interested in more female fans being into the game and I think MLB could take a page out of the KBO (Korean League) playbook. Looking at this article from last year, "women accounted for more than half of all ticket buyers in the first half of the season." A more recent article suggests 38.3% of spectators are women. I think it has something to do with the singing and "cheer culture" more than the sport itself, but what do I know. I don't think it's because the players are sexy, I think it's just a fun environment to be yourself and is culturally-relevant. MLB should take notes.

[caulfield12]

4 hours ago, nrockway said:

The girlies like going to baseball games regardless. Anecdotally, I like it as a date (cheap date because I'm a Sox fan) and we have fun even if it's just sitting in the ChiSox bar or walking around the park. The energy at a baseball game is fun regardless if you like the sport or not or even if the team is any good. My chauvinistic impression is baseball is a better sport for it than any of the others. Bulls games are less fun for this since it's non-stop, action-packed sports (also more expensive). No organ, no fireworks, no time to chit-chat or wander around. Football might be different but I've never attended a NFL game. Hockey is much like basketball in this way except the other fans yell at you when you stand up and walk around.

But I'd ask the question: are women showing up to banana ball in significant numbers by themselves/with their girlfriends, without their husband/boyfriend? I kinda doubt it.

I'm interested in more female fans being into the game and I think MLB could take a page out of the KBO (Korean League) playbook. Looking at this article from last year, "women accounted for more than half of all ticket buyers in the first half of the season." A more recent article suggests 38.3% of spectators are women. I think it has something to do with the singing and "cheer culture" more than the sport itself, but what do I know. I don't think it's because the players are sexy, I think it's just a fun environment to be yourself and is culturally-relevant. MLB should take notes.

Brand	Store Count (Mainland China)	Additional Context
MLB	800+	Operated by South Korean retailer F&F
New Era	52 (Hong Kong) / Unknown Mainland	New Era Hong Kong's website lists 52 stores in Hong Kong Mainland China numbers are less clear.

 

Context

• MLB has experienced significant growth in China, with the number of stores increasing from 500 at the start of 2022 to over 800 by 2023.
• MLB has expanded its market reach in China through both brick-and-mortar stores and an omnichannel e-commerce strategy, utilizing platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu.
• New Era, while having a strong presence in other Asian markets like South Korea, also has a presence in China, but exact numbers for mainland China are not as readily available in the search results.
• The popularity of MLB in China extends beyond baseball fans, as its team logos and apparel have become a significant part of the streetwear and fashion scene

 

1) Fashion and merchandising in Asia directed 75% at females…hats and shoes, shirts, jackets, etc.

2) Elaborate dance teams in Korea/cheerleaders in stands and on dugouts

3) “Fighting” back and forth with supporters of both teams, waving huge flags and beating on drums, thunder sticks, etc.

4) Most popular sport for men to attend, so bring wives and girlfriends, socializing aspect

5) Kpop stars constantly throwing out first pitch in sexy outfits

 

Went to a Doosan Bears game on a free evening during a business trip in April of last year, and will always recommend it. One of my favorite baseball experiences. Outfield tickets were super cheap right before game time. The seating is divided between home and away supporters and it was super fun seeing the different chants from the outfield as an outsider.

 

 

 

 

 

Same here. First ever baseball game (from the UK) and it was an amazing experience. The crowd got really involved and I even got a free Swallows hat. Fan for life!

"Rise of baseball?" KBO has been the most popular sports league in Korea for several decades now. The popularity fell for three years with Covid, and it's just recovering now. In fact, the popularity of their baseball league far exceeds that of their soccer league. But minor point aside, yeah, definitely attend a KBO game. It's a lot of fun. I've also attended a semi-final of the CPBL (Taiwan) last year. Asian baseball games are so festive, and I've never had a bad one so far.

https://v.redd.it/ctrofu2ruz9f1

 

 

 

[JTBC News] 4 out of 10 people attending pro Baseball games in South Korea are women in their age 20s and 30s. This year, the percentage of female fans among the spectators who visited KBO stadiums is now 38.3%, the highest ever in league history.Video (v.redd.it)

 

 

Edited August 23 by caulfield12

[nrockway]

16 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

Brand	Store Count (Mainland China)	Additional Context
MLB	800+	Operated by South Korean retailer F&F
New Era	52 (Hong Kong) / Unknown Mainland	New Era Hong Kong's website lists 52 stores in Hong Kong Mainland China numbers are less clear.

 

Context

• MLB has experienced significant growth in China, with the number of stores increasing from 500 at the start of 2022 to over 800 by 2023.
• MLB has expanded its market reach in China through both brick-and-mortar stores and an omnichannel e-commerce strategy, utilizing platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu.
• New Era, while having a strong presence in other Asian markets like South Korea, also has a presence in China, but exact numbers for mainland China are not as readily available in the search results.
• The popularity of MLB in China extends beyond baseball fans, as its team logos and apparel have become a significant part of the streetwear and fashion scene

 

1) Fashion and merchandising in Asia directed 75% at females…hats and shoes, shirts, jackets, etc.

2) Elaborate dance teams in Korea/cheerleaders in stands and on dugouts

3) “Fighting” back and forth with supporters of both teams, waving huge flags and beating on drums, thunder sticks, etc.

4) Most popular sport for men to attend, so bring wives and girlfriends, socializing aspect

5) Kpop stars constantly throwing out first pitch in sexy outfits

 

Went to a Doosan Bears game on a free evening during a business trip in April of last year, and will always recommend it. One of my favorite baseball experiences. Outfield tickets were super cheap right before game time. The seating is divided between home and away supporters and it was super fun seeing the different chants from the outfield as an outsider.

 

 

 

 

 

Same here. First ever baseball game (from the UK) and it was an amazing experience. The crowd got really involved and I even got a free Swallows hat. Fan for life!

"Rise of baseball?" KBO has been the most popular sports league in Korea for several decades now. The popularity fell for three years with Covid, and it's just recovering now. In fact, the popularity of their baseball league far exceeds that of their soccer league. But minor point aside, yeah, definitely attend a KBO game. It's a lot of fun. I've also attended a semi-final of the CPBL (Taiwan) last year. Asian baseball games are so festive, and I've never had a bad one so far.

https://v.redd.it/ctrofu2ruz9f1

 

 

 

[JTBC News] 4 out of 10 people attending pro Baseball games in South Korea are women in their age 20s and 30s. This year, the percentage of female fans among the spectators who visited KBO stadiums is now 38.3%, the highest ever in league history.Video (v.redd.it)

 

 

Seems like they love baseball in Taiwan (brought there by the Japanese) and the little league teams do very well in the LLWS. They have a 12-year-old throwing 80mph! Sooner or later they're gonna produce some MLB stars better than Yu Chang, Chien-Ming Wang, Fu-Te Ni etc. I don't think the mainland has produces a single MLB player. Woo, Kwan, Bichette, the Wong brothers don't seem to have any fame over there. Basketball has obviously become quite popular on the mainland, have to think Yao played a big role in that. Hard to see baseball as a sport taking hold there any time soon, but the fashion is popular everywhere in the world. Maybe the Sox could use some of that hat revenue and spend it on a player.

[caulfield12]

42 minutes ago, nrockway said:

Seems like they love baseball in Taiwan (brought there by the Japanese) and the little league teams do very well in the LLWS. They have a 12-year-old throwing 80mph! Sooner or later they're gonna produce some MLB stars better than Yu Chang, Chien-Ming Wang, Fu-Te Ni etc. I don't think the mainland has produces a single MLB player. Woo, Kwan, Bichette, the Wong brothers don't seem to have any fame over there. Basketball has obviously become quite popular on the mainland, have to think Yao played a big role in that. Hard to see baseball as a sport taking hold there any time soon, but the fashion is popular everywhere in the world. Maybe the Sox could use some of that hat revenue and spend it on a player.

Jimmy Butler was just here in Wuhan a couple of weeks ago promoting his shoe brand.  Was traveling together with Spencer Dinwiddie.

Ant-Man Edwards doing a promotional/educational tour as well...Beijing Shanghai and Chengdu/pandas.

[nrockway]

15 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

Jimmy Butler was just here in Wuhan a couple of weeks ago promoting his shoe brand.  Was traveling together with Spencer Dinwiddie.

Ant-Man Edwards doing a promotional/educational tour as well...Beijing Shanghai and Chengdu/pandas.

Li Ning shoes! I've never seen them for sale anywhere in the USA. I didn't know (until googling it just now) Jimmy was their main athlete. Pretty funny. I guess he's been wearing them for a couple years...can't be any worse than the Big Baller Brand shoes.

[caulfield12]

6 minutes ago, nrockway said:

Li Ning shoes! I've never seen them for sale anywhere in the USA. I didn't know (until googling it just now) Jimmy was their main athlete. Pretty funny. I guess he's been wearing them for a couple years...can't be any worse than the Big Baller Brand shoes.

One of the three main Chinese brands a long with Anta and Erke.

Basketball has never been much of a thing in Taiwan except for Jeremy Lin, equally claimed by Hangzhou (grandparents), Taiwan and finally Harvard...but because of his Christian faith/mixed ancestry, the Chinese government tamped down on Linsanity even though much more identifiable to kids than a Yao Ming.

[nrockway]

35 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

One of the three main Chinese brands a long with Anta and Erke.

Basketball has never been much of a thing in Taiwan except for Jeremy Lin, equally claimed by Hangzhou (grandparents), Taiwan and finally Harvard...but because of his Christian faith/mixed ancestry, the Chinese government tamped down on Linsanity even though much more identifiable to kids than a Yao Ming.

I think you're right about the identifiable part. He's a cool guy with cool haircuts and speaks out about Chinese issues. I bet he speaks to the millennial/gen z'er but isn't nearly as popular as Yao. He also wasn't nearly as good at basketball. I also think the difference is that Lin is born and raised in America and his parents are from Taiwan (I think...right?). An analogy might be Tony La Russa or Joe Torre not being popular figures in Italy even though they sorta like baseball there and those guys have that ancestry/naming convention. I wonder if the Bulls forthcoming star Matas Buzelis is popular in Lithuania since he's born in Chicago. We'll have to wait for him to take the next step to see. Probably depends if he plays for the national team. Those guys also don't have the label of having ancestry from a 'renegade province'. I think Linsanity was pretty popular in Taiwan even if he likely has no opinion on Taiwanese independence. Nothing he's said to the media anyway. Didn't stop him from having a basketball career on the mainland as well as Taiwan. I wonder how popular he actually was when he played in China besides just being very good relative to the competition, kinda like Stephon Marbury.

Not so sure about the Christian part. I bet they don't care. Sun Yat Sen was a Christian after all. He was quite popular during the revolution and the atheist CCP wanted to claim his legacy. His widow, Soong ChingLing was also a Christian (Christian name Rosamund), and certainly popular or at least protected during the Cultural Revolution (on the 'List of Cadres to be Protected'). Her father was a missionary. And China is way more chill about religion than they were during that time period and certainly during the Qing dynasty.

 

I feel like we've segued a little bit from banana ball 😆