Some thoughts on the Oakland Ballers

[@davidcollison8973]

These Pioneer league games are awesome. I live here in Denver and these games are way more entertaining than the Rockies. I don’t have to take out a mortgage to go to an Owlz game. The games aren’t blacked out on the internet. The quality of play is great. I can’t wait to see the Ballers play the Owlz next season. I hope you all enjoy your new ball club

[@MarkSichten]

Nice that the games aren't blacked out in the Rockies! Hopefully it will be the same here, but this is California, this is Oakland. They preach community, unity and "rooted", but they all want something...rather "DEMAND" something! Guess the demand.

[@ellenbower4825]

I moved to Spokane from the BA 3 years ago. We have a good minor league team that we have enjoyed watching. We’ve traveled to Oakland to see games the last two years. I’m very excited about the Ballers. We can see them in Missoula only 3 hours away. I think fans will enjoy this league. Minor league baseball is fun to watch.

[@ronclark9724]

I doubt seriously whether any of the Rocky Mountain teams desire to ride a long bus ride to Oakland on the west coast. I expect some more expansion teams on the west coast to join the B's within their own division...

[@SkyQuest2K8]

The B's are a nice new alternative here in the Bay Area. I'll plan to go to at least a game or two. Laney College is right next to the Lake Merritt BART station, so it is convenient to get to via public transit, as is college baseball at Cal.

[@vincevargas7892]

Have an open mind, that's the most important thing. We all still love the game, you can tell by the positive responses. Go Ballers⚾

[@ronclark9724]

Frankly if you are aiming for a minor league team, better to land a California League team with nearby opponents that actually do have on their rosters talented prospects... Semi-pro independent baseball isn't much better than watching a Little League team play at the local baseball field for free...

[@vincevargas7892]

Not aiming for anything, just rooting for what's presented to me. Not getting to worked up about it or jumping over the moon. I value effort & entertainment ⚾

[@cyrangan9088]

This is incredibly good news. Just think of the domino effect this will have on youth sports in Oakland. That ALONE is a reason to love this. As for Oakland baseball fandom, the skeptics will warm up fast. This is an awesome development.

[@tjshultz89]

If people show up to these games and fill the stands for every game, it'll probably help MLB's decision to give Oakland an expansion team again. A similar thing happened in Portland but on a smaller scale, and anyone who's seen the Battered Bastards of Baseball documentary already knows the story.

[@ronclark9724]

Enjoy your semi-pro baseball in Portland, but its suburb Hillsboro has your High A affiliated minor league baseball team whose roster has the talented prospects...

[@tjshultz89]

@@ronclark9724 Portland also has a pretty good independent team called the Portland Pickles. People show up for baseball in Portland unlike Oakland, and Portland will get a Major League expansion before Oakland gets another shot.

[@ronclark9724]

@@tjshultz89 Believe it or not there is a independent team in Cleburne in the southern suburbs of Fort Worth... At least the Cleburne Railroaders have a new stadium. Semi-pro baseball folks. Oakland fans would be better off with a affiliated Low A MiLB team in the California League... But that would require Oakland to build a NEW STADIUM... Keep in mind MLB will soon be expanding which also means MiLB will be expanding as well. Probably expand into the previous cities and stadiums that were recently cut during MiLB reorganization...

[@ronclark9724]

For example at the minor league level, I know off hand that Jackson TN, New Orleans LA, and Mobile AL have stadiums. Probably more further north as well. Oakland presently doesn't... I don't consider Laney College's baseball field a proper MiLB stadium. Without a major league tenant the Coliseum will soon be demolished by the city.

[@someguy7222]

​@@ronclark9724I wish you were right. I'd love nothing more than for an Oakland Oaks reboot or an expansion team of some type, but honestly I can't fathom MLB coming to Oakland. I'd love to be wrong but that's just how I see it. Lose a MLB team and get a semi-pro team... Yep, feels like an A's trade

[@seymoursmix4810]

i think baseball at this level will give fans the opportunity to share in their love of the game with these players. no multi-millionaires on the roster to deal with. just let us enjoy our national pastime on a more basic level without all the distractions. simple.

[@ronclark9724]

Enjoy the bleachers at the Laney College baseball field...

[@rcquakes30]

​@@purplecrayon7281I enjoy minor-league baseball and watching high school ball. Affordable and no spoiled millioners just guys playing for love of game

[@judsonclayto7813]

I attended a Missoula Paddleheads game a few years several years ago. Good baseball and a great town for sports activities. It’ll be a positive experience for Oakland.

[@bobbybrandon584]

Local media's got a role to play here, they have to take it seriously -- like you are. Don't expect Major League Baseball but still, take it seriously and cover it respectfully, and remember that this team cares about your community.

[@adamhazel8365]

1. I'm all in on the Ballers! Pioneers League Baseball is fun! 2. Question for you, do you know what the capacity will be for the games at Laney? It's not a large site and doesn't have much room for additional seating, but if they could get 2,000-4,000 fans a game that would be amazing. It'll be hard in terms of capacity to outdraw the A's, but if we can get the Ballers close it would be a huge message to MLB to give Oakland an expansion team in the next 5-10 years as I'm sure there is plenty of big money people out there ready to invest into Howard Terminal and a new MLB team. 3. Thank you for all your hard work!

[@ronclark9724]

Bleachers aren't really seats, are they? It will be difficult for those fans that buy season tickets to buy a bleacher location...

[@jacobanderson2990]

I agree with all 3 points. The question is the capacity. Laney looks to only have seating for about 500 in bleachers. It looks like the community buy-in has been great, and it shows the founders have worked hard to achieve that. So with large community buy-in, how are you going to fit the people in without it feeling either claustrophobic or having the supply to meet the demand?

[@cleoterrell8913]

​@@jacobanderson2990.

[@GreenFlameDemon]

I, for one, have absolutely no problem with the Ballers, and I hope there's a way for me to catch games at home, because budgetary reasons are gonna keep me from going to the ballpark more often than not, if I'm being totally honest. It may not be MLB, and of course I'd love for Oakland to have an MLB franchise, be it the A's or an expansion team, but the odds of that happening aren't looking too good from everything I've heard/read, and this new independent league team will more than compensate for that, in my opinion. It's baseball in the East Bay, and that's what I care about. If the powers that be want to rip the A's away from us, then fine, some of us will go elsewhere, and the Ballers are now an option for disillusioned fans such as myself, for whom staying loyal to John Fisher's ballclub in Vegas is absolutely out of the question.

[@onpointfirearms8327]

We have the Glacier Range Riders right here, same league, in Kalispell, Montana. Beautiful new ball park. Will definitely mark it on the calendar when the Ballers come to town.

[@brentduanefoster]

Visiting this video months later, now that the Ballers are in full operation. They're doing pretty well, I must say.

[@AsFanRadio]

Solid video, Brodie. Hit the nail on everything with this. Looking forward to what the Ballers bring to the table. - Cpl Oaktown

[@samellis1109]

Oakland deserves a lot better solution to it's major league void than a minor league team. Oakland is a Major League town and deserves a Major League Baseball team. The Oakland Ballers is a feeble attempt to capitalize on the current situation Oakland faces when the A's leave. What kind of name is Ballers anyway? Bringing back the old "Oakland Oaks" name would have been a much better choice.

[@silverado2004]

Well said..I just moved out of Oakland and with each passing day the city of Oakland becomes a joke..I don't care for Oakland City government in the way that they handled the Raiders,A's and Warriors..Not a John Fisher fan but he is a business man and owner..I respect that cause it's about the bottom line.. Just like Mayor Tao was all in about getting her raise when she hadn't been in office for a year.I can't blame Fisher for being smart to do what's best for his business cause I would do the same thing.. Vegas offered a better deal when in fact Oakland didn't and Oakland had more than enough time to get a deal together and they didn't.So if anyone thinks that a minor league team will take the pain away in regards to loosing the A's you better think again..

[@StevenPalmer-cs5ix]

Several years ago I decided as long as the A's stayed in Northern California that I would be a fan. At this point MLB/MiLB are dead to me. If they want me to be a "fan" of their product they can pay me to watch their product. I kicked the NFL to the curb in the mid-2000's and never looked back.

[@ronclark9724]

As if the MLB San Francisco Giants less than a dozen miles away ain't there....

[@vincevargas7892]

Funny how people think you can just flip a switch and root for another team & enjoy it the same way as a long life fan following since childhood. Doesn't work that way. You don't just wake up one day and say ok I'm a fan now, those are called Casuals. We are talking about Diehards where becoming a fan meant something. Reasons and memories behind it. Boom instant fan...lol. Get outta here with that nonsense

[@StevenPalmer-cs5ix]

@@ronclark9724 I was SF born and raised. My first game at the Coliseum was 1970 as a young child. I was all of a few weeks old when I attended my first baseball game at Golden Gate Park (my father was umpiring). I have never been nor will I ever be a San Francisco Giants fan. Especially after what Mr. Haas did to help them in the '90's.

[@vincevargas7892]

@@StevenPalmer-cs5ix long life A's fan from the Rickey Henderson, Dave Stewart days. Lansford... My neighbor would invite me to go with their son to the A's game. Uncle took me to my 1st game . Watched on KICU Channel 36 before cable because it was a clear signal here in San Jose. Memories & reasoning behind me becoming an A's fan. Baseball hits different as an adult in my late 40's. I will never become a Giants fan. Never had any interest in that team 💯

[@GregoryZucco-z6m]

The Chico Heat Independent League Team had some former MLB players and I believe they had a player that went on to MLB

[@jamesbyrnes1208]

Pay in the Frontier League is minimal. For the 2020 season, each team had a salary cap of $85,000 and the player salaries ranged from a minimum of $600 up to $1,600 per month. Where are these players going to live on that salary? What will the Ballers have to pay Oakland to use the stadium?

[@kturetsky]

They're gona play on a college field

[@EvanEscher]

They'll likely live with host families

[@davidcollison8973]

The team gets host families.

[@nizik1979]

Great News!!! As an A's fan I wish the B's the best of luck maybe the B's fans will stop involving themselves in A's buisness. Good luck guys hope you do well.

[@papabare1977]

I feel bad for Oakland fans. They go from MLB to semi-pro baseball.

[@JayO-wx3ej]

The Oakland Ballers should maintain their name, logo, and colors and force the A's to litigate the trademark infringement. The PR associated with the fight, the fan attachment to the colors and the David vs. Goliath narrative, would all likely be very good for the brand. Even more so if Major League Baseball were to get involved. Each cease and desist letter could be published, each heavy handed tactic by either the A's, MLB, or their lawyers would be dissected by fans. The dollar value of the PR, especially nationally (which would be good for the Pioneer League at large) is something that is probably unavailable to the team in any other way. The team could probably approach the "SELL" movement for some legal advice and pro bono trademark infringement / intellectual property defense. If the goal is to be a thorn in the side of the A's and MLB, I'm guessing there would be interest from some skilled lawyers.

[@Gnarly_Rc]

Just got my B’s hat in the mail today!

[@mikepuncsak7297]

I've been spoiled with World Series titles and Orange baseball and Charlie O and divisional titles and the 20 game win streak and meeting Stew and Brodie Brazil (and those very green socks )and Eck and Chavvy and those huge curveballs that Barry Zito served up . I wish the Ballerz the best but.....

[@kj6446]

I hope they do very well, that said, if Oakland gets an MLB expansion team, will that kill the Ballers?

[@SippyCupAdventures]

That's exactly what I was thinking. I would think the Ballers would be "okay" with that scenario. It could be the Ballers motivation, really.

[@jonathanrice1070]

I highly doubt Oakland will get an expansion team anytime soon.

[@ronclark9724]

@@jonathanrice1070 Or a California League team without building a NEW STADIUM... The MLB have been twisting MiLB cities elbows for four decades now meeting minimum stadium requirements. The Pro Baseball Players Association won't play anywhere, they have demands that must be met. For your information, Laney College's baseball field doesn't met the minimum requirements... Note, I did not call it a stadium...

[@AnonymousBrendan]

i like the idea but ballers sounds more like a basketball name

[@tlava66]

I remember when Sacramento had Independent league baseball, The Steelheads played at Sac City College. Any level of baseball is good.

[@fourthgirl]

I love baseball and Oakland. I am done with MLB, so this is welcomed entertainment!

[@joeriveracomedy]

Weird name. I would have done something bay centric or even from Jack London lore.

[@daniloarevalo3416]

I’ll support as long they don’t treat me like John fisher we all should own this team

[@Arkinals]

Mavericks! Somebody call Jim Bouton!

[@erich84502b]

They will be independent baseball.

[@smokey5100]

Brodie do you know if the games will be televised?

[@kylebarber8409]

Probably not on actual tv but KZbin live streams and stuff

[@ronclark9724]

My only concern is Laney College's baseball field bleachers. Where would you mount a camera there and seat the baseball play by play announcer?

[@ivannevarez8478]

I am sorry being demoted from big leagues is not good.

[@telephilia]

Now that A's almost sure to move, I have ceased to care about them or a minor league team in Oakland.

[@ronclark9724]

The MLB San Francisco Giants are less than a dozen miles away across the bay... Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and St. Louis fans didn't turn their back on the MLB when one of their MLB teams relocated... Interesting, these cities usually rank in the TOP third of MLB attendance annually... Furthermore, why is Oakland so privileged and entitled above any other American city?

[@vincevargas7892]

@@ronclark9724 you bring up the Giants alot. Can't flip the switch and become an instant fan. Those are Casuals like yourself I'm guessing. There are reasons why fans become so invested in their team, many reasons. Oh I'll just become a Giants fan, sounds ridiculous to me. It's called America Pastime for a reason.

[@georgehand]

I see this as a win-win I get to start a new life with the Phillies whilst at the same time get to stay involved with Oakland and learn about a league I hadn’t heard of

[@geraldseguin6082]

Don't forget the Expos they tank to

[@bubbrad]

Where are the Baller's playing their home games? A local high school or is the mayor going to let them play in the Coliseum?

[@kohort1]

I like Ballers but it is kinda bad optics... The "B's" just opens it up for insult. They shouldve just called it the "Bees". Or the Z's and called the "Sleeper Hits"

[@ooogyman]

💯 I want to support Oakland baseball, but if we're divorcing from the A's, the divorce needs to be clean, so if the Ballers want to be an alternative to the A's, they need to get as far from the A's brand as possible. Abandon the colors, the letters, any comparison to the A's at all. Any reminder that this is a response to the A's leaving will destroy the Ballers brand.

[@kohort1]

@@ooogyman i don't think we need to run from the history. We should take ownership of what we can. So, I'd keep the colors. I'd even keep a Stomper or some elephant morph. Bc then the rest of the country and more importantly the region's younger generations would have a reminder of the history. but just not be the B's...imagine though the Oakland "Z's" Sleeper Hitters...lol...okay maybe the Oakland Zoos. I'm still joking. Still one letter but not the next letter.

[@METALBUG999]

the typical oakland a's fan will never go to a ballers game. the market is so tiny for low level baseball.

[@silverado2004]

Exactly.. I'm not sold on this.. To go from a pro sports major league city to a semi pro minor league city is pathetic..I will forever be a Raiders and A's fan regardless cause I feel like the city of Oakland didn't do enough..

[@robert-f1n8t]

I don't see how this works from a business point of view. The other cities are really far away. Even the nearest team would be almost 2 days of bus travel. Other teams would have to travel even farther. I don't see how they could ever afford to send teams by air. And then no one has talked about ticket prices. How much will people pay to see a game that's barely A level when the Giants are across the Bay. I think using the colors and the B logo is a mistake. Every time you see it you're going to reminded that the A's are gone and this is its "replacement". Better to start over and forget it.

[@EvanEscher]

You make some good points, especially regarding travel. What other minor leagues do to mitigate that is playing 6 game series at one stadium. Hopefully, the long term goal (at least a decade from now) is to create a west coast independent league in cities that don't have MiLB teams.

[@markryan2421]

Should have called themselves the Oaks.

[@jesusayala1826]

Brodie, is there any way we as fans can input suggestions for this new ballers team? If so how can we do that ?

[@josephwebster2909]

So we just copy gta san andreas and add a B instead of a A ? Real oringinal. Straight up a rip off and im glad the As went to a none crackhead home

[@mariolanz4187]

They are aligned with MLB or partner with MLB that's the part I don't like about this league.. I don't want to support anything that is associated with MLB.

[@GrillVogel]

The cope is heavy in this comment section

[@andy_182]

So will the employees of the coliseum employees have a new job ?

[@BoulderCityBlues]

Pretty pathetic that you would cheer getting a pioneer league team ..Maybe Oakland should really set their aspirations high and hope to get a WNBA team also ..Who the hell follows the Pioneer league ..People are losing interest in MLB everywhere.. This last WS was the lowest watched in history of televised games ..Manfred has destroyed the game that was boring to begin with and it’s obvious to everyone that MLB owners don’t give a shit about their fans or the cities they play in .If covid taught us anything it’s nobody gives a shit about baseball ,it’s nothing but a filler till football season starts

[@ronclark9724]

Unfortunately we no longer live in an era where there were only four nationwide television networks... With the thousands of different viewing options involving satellite, cable, and internet streaming, as well as the broadcasting stations available, no one expected higher television nationwide ratings....

[@mariolanz4187]

WNBA😂 I rather not.

[@BoulderCityBlues]

@@mariolanz4187 exactly … Thinking getting a Pioneer league team is a real game changer is like getting a WNBA franchise ..

[@silverado2004]

Don't think Oakland is getting a WNBA team..Joe Lacob killed that..San Francisco is getting a WNBA team that will have it's offices in Oakland..

[@jonnyt16]

@@BoulderCityBlues Baseball is dull only to dull minds. -Red Barber

[@stewgotz1]

From MLB to ‘Sandlot’

[@user-jv9qz2bu1r]

stop bawling, stop crying I present you ,,,, The BALLERS

[@PlasticEater14]

tags say #baeball btw

[@someguy7222]

Did someone say baseball version of Oakland Invanders?

[@juanfierro7365]

Nah, you're ALL WRONG! This Ballers thing is how the Las Vegas Aviators move and become independent but in the PCL.

[@mikepuncsak7297]

But I see this new team and its happening so fast ....is all this showing that Oakland settled ??

[@jfern2101]

Unless its like the savannah bananas this will be stupid... sports is now dead in oakland...