“We started this team because we were heartbroken"

August 19, 2024 3:11 AM

Perhaps the most important work, however, is endearing yourself to the community you want to uplift. In a market like Oakland in 2024, this is especially critical. You have to convince customers you’re not carpetbaggers, that your team isn’t some kind of grift. Paul and Bryan took to the work with zeal. from How to Start a Professional Sports Team, Win Games, and Save the Town [The Ringer]

Oakland baseball, previously

posted by chavenet (11 comments total)

I only lived there a brief while, but I love the East Bay. I went to one A's game, and you know, that's a team that hasn't been good for a minute. But there's a kind of a vibe, just where people come together, that really makes it a thing worth having.
posted by Smedly, Butlerian jihadi at 4:05 AM on August 19 [3 favorites]

i wish
posted by HearHere at 6:53 AM on August 19 [1 favorite]

We attended the first Ballers home game, it was such a triumph to see Raimondi Park so full of people.
posted by migurski at 9:53 AM on August 19 [7 favorites]

I went to my first Ballers game a couple weeks ago; it was a fantastic time. Hilarious themed crowd interaction between every inning, a possum mascot who was great with the small child in our group, and a really great game...

Sadly, I'm on the road until Sept 15th (after the end of the currently scheduled games), but would totally be down for a Ballers mefi meetup sometime in the future.
posted by kaibutsu at 9:55 AM on August 19 [5 favorites]

I hve repeatedly stated on this site my love of minor league baseball (and heartily agree with the FJF sentiments of my last Oakland thread).

I wish we had more independent baseball games. The Bananas are killing it by changing the game, which is great (I'm no purist - give me something fun). I wish the Ballers success. I wish Pasadena had a minor league team. There's something extraordinarily comforting about going and sitting in the stands of a game that is at once fraught and meaningless.

Earlier this year when my brain and I were having severe disagreements about what to do, I found myself going periodically to Jackie Robinson Memorial Field and sitting down with 27 other fans to watch the PCC Lancers. No hot dogs, no tickets, no beer or peanuts (should have brought some snacks!), but it was great to watch a game where there was so much action - a couple of homeruns, a double and two triples on passed balls, etc - all in the first 5 innings of one game.

So yes, small time baseball is great for communities and I hope the Ballers pull it off. (Oh and highly recommend "The Battered Bastards of Baseball" mentioned in the article.
posted by drewbage1847 at 9:58 AM on August 19 [4 favorites]

I was at the Ballers home opener! And I've been to a couple since. Confirming that the vibes are immaculate.

I've heard some flack about them being being a "professional" team because they are independent and not part of a feeder league for the MLB, but it allows them to run AV and ad spots that go right up to the line of "Fuck the A's." I don't know if I want that to be the message forever, but for now... I'll just say I'm receptive at the moment.
posted by Phobos the Space Potato at 11:06 AM on August 19 [9 favorites]

MetaFilter: at once fraught and meaningless
posted by chavenet at 11:27 AM on August 19 [3 favorites]

MetaFilter: at once fraught and meaningless

<scan>No lies detected</scan>
posted by drewbage1847 at 1:49 PM on August 19 [1 favorite]

Enjoyed this - felt like a Grantland piece. Kept expecting it to end and it just kept going!
posted by ominous_paws at 2:21 PM on August 19 [1 favorite]

I went to the Ballers game on Saturday, it was great! The bleachers on the first base line are better, since they are higher and you get a better view.

No draft beer: which is good for recycling and cleanup, but sad for taste.

The Possum mascot is some next-level trolling of the As.
posted by suelac at 2:48 PM on August 19 [7 favorites]

I also was at the Saturday game, and had a splendid time. It felt like Oakland at its best. Amazing crowd, lots of families, the best vibes. Everywhere you looked, people were having a blast. It feels good to know that we'll still have baseball in the Town after the A's are gone. (FJF!)
posted by /\/\/\/ at 4:40 PM on August 19 [6 favorites]