Baseball has boosted efforts to reverse declines in participation among underprivileged communities and among young Black players, and has vowed to diversify the game from the grassroots level to the highest levels of team and league decision makers.
“Once they have that connection and positive experience with the sport, the chances of them becoming a fan are greatly enhanced,” he said. “We’ve talked a lot about younger audiences and how significant they are for the future of the game,” Manfred said. Reagins said the shift in how young people watch baseball - more in short bursts - has forced the league to adjust at all levels in how it attracts new fans.Perhaps, though, the addiction to the highlight-reel has lessened the bond between young fans and the need to root, root, root for the home team.Jacob MacKinnon, 11, from Springfield, Ohio, attended the Little League World Series and said he didn’t have a favorite baseball team.
Nationals first baseman Dominic Smith wishes he could take more than a day trip to the Little League World Series. The 28-year-old Smith grew up in Los Angeles and is the co-founder of a nonprofit, the BaseballGenerations Foundation, that helps provide resources for underprivileged youth involved in the sport. He played in the Little League Classic previously with the Mets and said it’s important for kids to discover that major leaguers are just like them.