What are the reasons for the lack of enthusiasm for baseball in Chinese cities? | Why is the development of baseball in Chinese cities "not very hot"?

Four main issues: Why it stagnates

1. Weak cultural roots | Weak cultural foundations

→ Historical absence: Baseball has not been integrated into the traditional sports system (compared to table tennis), and the older generation has almost no awareness of it.

→ The "elite and niche" label: Expensive equipment and complex rules → Weak public base, leading to a mindset of "can't understand and can't afford."

Baseball lacks historical presence in China. The perception of it as "elite and complicated" hinders mass adoption.

️ 2. Insufficient urban infrastructure | Scarce urban infrastructure

→ Venue crisis: There are fewer than 50 professional baseball fields nationwide, and almost none at the community level (due to high land prices and maintenance difficulties).

→ Lack of alternatives: Schools do not offer soft baseball classes, and parks prohibit ball throwing → Youth have nowhere to practice!

Fewer than 50 pro fields nationwide. Zero community-level options → No space to play!

➡️ 3. Crisis in youth training pipeline | Broken youth pipeline

Elementary stage (Ages 6-12):

Only 5% of international schools offer baseball classes, and regular school PE teachers have no background in it.

Family costs: Entry-level equipment costs over ¥2000 → This deters average families.

No school programs → Equipment cost = ¥2000+ barrier!

Middle school stage (Ages 13-18):

Clubs are concentrated in major cities, with annual fees over ¥15,000 → Regional and economic barriers.

Scarcity of competitions: Only 20 teams participate in the national U15 tournament → The idea of "training through competition" becomes a mere talk.

Elite clubs (¥15k+/year) + few competitions → Talent pool shrinks!

Professional pathway (Ages 18+):

Small league scale: The CBL has only 6 teams, with salaries lower than football.

Narrow overseas opportunities: The MLB China Development Center annually sends fewer than 3 players abroad → Professional dreams seem distant.

Tiny pro league (6 teams) + limited overseas paths → No viable career!

4. Lack of commercial appeal | Low commercial appeal

→ League sponsors: 地方小企业为主（vs. CBA/中超国际品牌）

→ Media exposure: 0家央视转播CBL，社交平台赛事话题阅读量＜100万

No prime-time TV coverage + weak sponsors → Zero visibility!

Roadmap to revival | Roadmap to revival

STEP 1: Make baseball accessible | Make baseball accessible

✅ Community "pocket field" project:

→ Transforming abandoned land: 用人造草皮+移动护网建迷你球场（成本↓80%）

→ Promoting soft baseball: 橡胶球+海绵棒，安全进小区/校园！

Build mini-fields in communities & schools with low-cost setups!

✅ "Empowering PE teachers" initiative:

→ Collaborating with MLB China: 免费培训1000名教师，配发基础教具包

→ Developing bilingual animated tutorials (on Bilibili/Xiaohongshu): 10分钟看懂规则！

Train teachers + create viral tutorials to demystify rules!

STEP 2: Rebuild youth ecosystem | Rebuild youth ecosystem

✅ School pyramid program:

小学兴趣层：体育课加入棒球游戏（例：跑垒积分赛）

中学精英层：省市教育局共建200所棒球特色校，提供奖学金

大学联赛层：仿NCAA模式，打造CUBA棒球联盟

School fun → HS scholarships → College league = Clear pathway!

✅ Dual-track system for professionals:

本土联赛扩容：CBL扩军至12队，允许港澳台球员加入

海外快车道：与MLB/NPB合作，每年保送10新秀留洋训练

Expand CBL + MLB/NPB pipelines to feed pro dreams!

✨ STEP 3: Create baseball hype | Create baseball hype

跨界破圈行动：

→ 联名喜茶/元气森林：推出“全垒打气泡水”+棒球主题店

→ 邀请明星担任棒球推广大使，拍摄《疾速挥棒》短片

Collaborate with trendy brands & idols to tap youth culture!

Tech-enabled experiences:

→ 开发AR棒球手游：扫码公园场地，生成虚拟对手对战

→ 联赛现场设AI测速墙+VR本垒打挑战，门票变沉浸式嘉年华！

Mix real games with AR/VR tech – Baseball meets metaverse!