How MLB Connects with Kids to Draw Younger Fans to Sport
By Moveiguide® Contributor
Major League Baseball is looking for new ways to engage younger players and fans.
After the annual MLB Little League Classic at Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Phillies standout Bryce Harper wants to bring the event to even more young players.
“I think it’s pretty cool being able to play in different areas and different countries,” Harper told The Washington Times. “The next one we were all talking about would be a Hall of Fame Game…I grew up playing in Cooperstown, at Cooperstown Dreams Park. That was the travel ball place to go, kind of like Williamsport. It’s a little bit of a different level than Williamsport, but it’s pretty cool.”
During the event, kids “full of big-league dreams” attend “the game ready to mingle with today’s stars and – perhaps like Harper did – find their way from one of youth baseball’s biggest summer stages to MLB,” the Washington Examiner reported.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to learn from these kids, how they think, what they like, their interests, their hobbies and show them my interests and hobbies, as well. I think they’ll start to understand that I’m kind of similar to them, in a way. It’s a great opportunity to showcase us as people, as human beings and then as big leaguers, too,” Dominic Smith, the first baseman for the Washington Nationals, stated.
“I just thought about playing as much as I could possibly play, whether it was Little League, whether it was a pickup game. Back when I was growing up in New York we played a lot of stickball,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said.
“I want to pick their brains, too, see what drives kids these days, why they love the game,” he added.
Those particular games are part of the MLB’s outreach to acquire more young fans.
The MLB has found that younger fans watch baseball highlights from either TikTok or YouTube. The organization also changed its rules to make the game faster as the attention span of young people has decreased.
The new pitch clock rule reduces the game to an average of 2 hours and 38 minutes compared to last year’s 3 hours and 3 minutes.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred stated, “We’ve talked a lot about younger audiences and how significant they are for the future of the game.”
“Once they have that connection and positive experience with the sport, the chances of them becoming a fan are greatly enhanced,” Tony Reagins, a former scout and GM, said.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
