Baseball's smallest fans
Samantha Johnson / Ball State Spring Training / March 6, 2017
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – With sharpies in hand, young baseball fans line the fences of practice diamonds at First Data Field in hopes of snagging a signature from their athletic heroes, enhancing their love for the game.
However, out of the millions of baseball little leaguers playing across the nation hoping to play professionally one day, only less than one percent of those who play at the high school level will move on to compete in a professional league, according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
This, however, does not diminish the love of the game for hopeful youngsters. Many of baseball’s biggest hearts are in the smallest of bodies.
This time of year, spring training facilities across the south are filled with families and fans of all ages. In fact, Major League Baseball implements special programming each year that appeals to different generations, keeping fans coming back for more.
For example, each MLB team has an online “kids site,” designed specifically for younger fans. This program allows youthful players to sign up for team camps, contact other kids through message boards and even stay up-to-date with their favorite players.
At Sunday’s New York Mets game, baseball’s smallest fans took to the stands to watch and support their favorite players: gathering as many signatures as possible and taking in the sights and sounds of Major League Baseball Spring Training.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – With sharpies in hand, young baseball fans line the fences of practice diamonds at First Data Field in hopes of snagging a signature from their athletic heroes, enhancing their love for the game.
However, out of the millions of baseball little leaguers playing across the nation hoping to play professionally one day, only less than one percent of those who play at the high school level will move on to compete in a professional league, according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
This, however, does not diminish the love of the game for hopeful youngsters. Many of baseball’s biggest hearts are in the smallest of bodies.
This time of year, spring training facilities across the south are filled with families and fans of all ages. In fact, Major League Baseball implements special programming each year that appeals to different generations, keeping fans coming back for more.
For example, each MLB team has an online “kids site,” designed specifically for younger fans. This program allows youthful players to sign up for team camps, contact other kids through message boards and even stay up-to-date with their favorite players.
At Sunday’s New York Mets game, baseball’s smallest fans took to the stands to watch and support their favorite players: gathering as many signatures as possible and taking in the sights and sounds of Major League Baseball Spring Training.
