Join Bryan, Adam, Steve, and special guests Paul Freedman and Bryan Carmel, co-founders of the Oakland Ballers, discussing founding a baseball team, special player moments, pioneer league, community engagement, and former player JT Snow's involvement in the project.
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Quick takeaways
Community engagement was pivotal in the success of the Oakland Ballers baseball team, involving residents in decisions and incorporating their feedback.
Limited edition hat drops combined with strategic branding honored Oakland's baseball history and led to quick merchandise sellouts.
Securing major sponsorships from non-traditional sources like BART and AAA added credibility and visibility to the Ballers, overcoming startup challenges.
Deep dives
Creating a Team with Community Engagement in Mind
The team behind the new baseball endeavor in Oakland focused on engaging the community by choosing a historic park and involving residents in the decision-making process. They canvassed door-to-door and held community meetings to incorporate local feedback and ensure the project aligned with neighborhood values.
Strategic Merchandise Drops and Branding Success
The strategy of releasing limited edition hat drops combined with a focus on honoring Oakland's baseball history led to fast sellouts of merchandise and overwhelming positive responses. The carefully designed branding by Dustin Canalyn, known for iconic sports logo designs, further strengthened the connection between the team and the community.
Navigating Startup Challenges and Achieving Sponsorships
Despite facing the challenges typical of startups, such as funding and logistics, the team was able to secure major sponsorships from companies like BART and AAA, traditionally not associated with Pioneer League teams. The sponsorships added credibility and visibility to the team, contributing to its initial success.
Fostering Joy and Community Support through the New Team
The enthusiastic response from the community, including strangers wearing team hats on public transit, signifies the impact the new baseball team has had on residents. The team's ability to evoke joy and gratitude in the community members reflects a positive and hopeful outlook for the future of baseball in Oakland.
Building a Community-Driven Baseball Experience
The podcast episode delves into the creation of a community-centered baseball team, the Oakland Ballers, and the unique approach taken to build a fan-focused experience. The founders discuss the significance of creating an inclusive environment where everyone, from players to fans, is valued and involved. Through initiatives like open tryouts, attracting top coaching talent, and prioritizing community engagement, the Ballers aim to provide a platform for players to shine and fans to celebrate the essence of Oakland baseball.
Innovative Game Strategies and Player Selection
The podcast highlights the Ballers' innovative game strategies, especially in scouting and recruiting players for the team. By hosting an open tryout that resulted in identifying unique talents like Kelsey Whitmore, a female pitcher, the team showcased its commitment to breaking stereotypes and focusing on skill and passion over traditional norms. The emphasis on precision pitching and strategic player selections reflect a shift from conventional baseball norms, aiming to create a diverse and engaging playing environment for both players and fans.
Bryan, Adam, Steve, and the Oxide Friends are joined by the founders of the Oakland Ballers, the continuation of a long history of baseball in Oakland. There turns out to be a plenty in common between founding a computer company and founding a baseball team--and we both have our fans supporting us!
If we got something wrong or missed something, please file a PR! Our next show will likely be on Monday at 5p Pacific Time on our Discord server; stay tuned to our Mastodon feeds for details, or subscribe to this calendar. We'd love to have you join us, as we always love to hear from new speakers!
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