Have you ever ever listened to somebody’s imaginative and prescient about one thing they’re actually obsessed with after which gotten to see that imaginative and prescient take form firsthand?
That’s what occurred to me this previous weekend once I went to the United Shore Skilled Baseball League (USPBL) All-Star recreation because of the Assistant Director of Baseball Operations and “Sensei”, Ray Ortega.
For a little bit of a backstory, I’ve recognized Ray since his rookie 12 months within the Frontier League when he was a member of the 2014 street crew, the Frontier League Greys. Since then, he’s performed and coached in numerous indy leagues (together with the USPBL), transitioned to affiliated ball as a coach within the Giants group, and was even an assistant coach for the Savannah Bananas final season.
Ray noticed the maintain that the Bananas had on followers and non-baseball followers alike, however he additionally noticed the problems that they’ve with actual followers of the game.
Enter the USPBL and his new alternative to convey “Actual Baseball. Actual Enjoyable.” to the followers.
In January, Ray known as me to debate his imaginative and prescient for this new initiative. We talked for an hour, and I most likely stated about 20 phrases whereas he laid out all his ideas and concepts.
With Ray’s in depth expertise within the recreation, his imaginative and prescient for the USPBL goals to bridge the hole between pure baseball and fan engagement.
Followers love the participant interactions. They love attending to see groups having enjoyable and being themselves. They love the “followers first” mentality that the Bananas convey to the desk. They don’t love the modifications to the sport or all of the “banana ball” guidelines. They don’t love the trick performs that break the integrity of the sport itself.
Baseball at its core doesn’t want revamping. There simply must be a spark, one thing to maintain the sport entertaining and energetic when – and even I’ll admit this – it may be boring. Followers need to hook up with gamers and see a aspect of them that makes them bigger than life however nonetheless personable and actual.
That’s simply what Ray and the USPBL try to implement this season.
The principles of the sport haven’t modified. Gamers should not inspired to do “methods” or pause the sport itself for a dance break. They ARE inspired to point out their true selves on and off the sphere. Gamers are allowed to have their very own distinctive “homerun cellys.”
Groups are inspired to create celebrations after they rating runs however solely whereas the participant comes again to the dugout, by no means interrupting the sport.
Gamers are inspired to work together with the followers, not push them away. You possibly can usually see gamers signing autographs or throwing sweet at children by the dugouts in the course of the recreation. One of many run celebrations entails a participant hitting a piñata full of sweet.
The stadium itself is intimate and ideal for interacting. There isn’t a nasty seat in the home. Actually, the suites behind residence plate are nearer to the catcher than the pitcher is to the catcher!
There are areas for followers subsequent to the dugouts, a hill within the outfield the place you possibly can stroll proper as much as the fence behind the outfielders, and even the bullpens are accessible to see from the pavilion areas.
Having 4 groups play in a single stadium brings a singular vibe to the league as effectively. Whereas two groups are enjoying, which means two groups should not. These groups are anticipated to have gamers out and about with the followers. From the minute followers line as much as get into the stadium, there are a number of gamers out to mingle and greet them.
In the midst of the video games, you’ll usually see these gamers strolling round within the stands or down on the child zone enjoying a recreation of wiffle ball with the children who’ve gathered there.
In my view, none of this takes away from the ball recreation and does all the things to reinforce the bond and group between followers and gamers.
As for the ball recreation itself, the gamers are enjoying a traditional baseball recreation with the entire guidelines that you already know. There isn’t a doubt that these are skilled gamers enjoying at a excessive caliber stage of play on par with different impartial leagues.
I noticed a detailed recreation with thrilling defensive performs, an inside-the-park homerun, a grand slam, and groups that by no means gave up and battled again by means of each inning.
These gamers, who come from 4 years of faculty ball and numerous different impartial leagues together with many with Frontier League expertise, are severe in regards to the recreation.
They aren’t there for the dancing and celebrations, these are only a bonus in attending to showcase their enjoyable aspect – a aspect plenty of them haven’t gotten to specific since Little League.
Over my two days at Jimmy John’s Area, residence of the USPBL, gamers expressed how a lot enjoyable they have been having. “I find it irresistible right here!” was the primary response of just about each participant once I requested how they have been having fun with the modifications to the league.
After all, there’ll at all times be uncertain or unfavorable reactions. Celebrations and enjoyable aren’t for everybody, similar to the Savannah Bananas aren’t for everybody.
And that’s okay. You aren’t going to make everybody completely satisfied, and the league is aware of that.
Whereas some gamers, equivalent to Marcus Judd, are naturals and have taken to the social media celeb standing simply, others must work slightly more durable to let free.
Some gamers did say it was a little bit of an adjustment to include the enjoyable aspect of a recreation that they usually take so critically. However nonetheless, each participant I talked to who possibly even had slightly doubt stated that they’re beginning to get the vibe.
I heard the rumblings from the surface as effectively once I was ready in line… one host mother complained that they didn’t know the way the gamers would be capable to take that subsequent step as a result of “nobody will take a dancing participant critically.”
Nevertheless, I’m right here to say, that there was certainly a well known scout for a serious league group there this previous weekend asking about gamers in the course of the recreation and the talents competitors held as a part of the All-Star festivities.
There ought to be little question in anybody’s thoughts – if you happen to’re ok to play at the next stage, you’ll be seen. Possibly your stage of fan interplay will even set you aside from these different gamers on the market who shun the followers and take life slightly too critically. It’s a recreation in any case.
For everybody who has their doubts, many extra individuals are embracing this new period of the USPBL. Judging by the sold-out crowd for the 4th of July recreation and the screaming followers in the course of the All-Star recreation and festivities, I believe they’re doing simply wonderful.
Throughout Friday evening’s recreation, I sat subsequent to a mom/daughter duo who come to each Friday recreation collectively. They’re 59 and 82 years outdated, however each love the baseball motion AND the celebrations.
When JJ the bat canine comes out to seize a bat or ship water to the umpires in between innings, the followers cheer and name out to JJ that he’s “a great boy!”
The environment at Jimmy John’s Area is one thing particular. Everybody I met, together with the baseball operations workers (Shane McCatty – Director of Baseball Operations in addition to Mike Zielinski – Senior Director of Baseball Administration), stadium employees, media workers, the gamers, and followers, have been so accommodating and welcoming. The vibe is enjoyable, relaxed, however electrical.
You possibly can inform that there’s a sense of group among the many gamers and followers that you just actually don’t get to see all over the place.
As a lot as I’m making an attempt to convey what the USPBL is trying to do, I believe it might be finest if I allow you to hear it straight from the gamers who’re dwelling in it daily.
I requested a number of gamers the identical primary questions: What’s one factor that you just like in regards to the USPBL that units it aside from the place you’ve been, and the way do you’re feeling in regards to the “Actual Baseball. Actual Enjoyable.” initiative this season?
I’ll depart you with their responses.
Tommy Stevenson – 1B, Westside Woolly Mammoths: The USPBL actually focuses on getting their guys as a lot publicity as potential, not solely on the sphere, however off the sphere as effectively. Giving us a chance to inform our tales and have followers see us as a participant and what we’re like exterior the uniform.
I like how they need to maintain baseball, baseball in between the traces. We’re nonetheless enjoying the game we love and that hasn’t modified, however we add in slightly extra enjoyable to it as effectively. I believe it’s a singular strategy to make baseball slightly extra entertaining.
Riley Bost – RHP, Eastside Diamond Hoppers: There’s so much I get pleasure from about this league, however the greatest distinction is how a lot the teaching workers and league actually spend money on us as gamers. They spend time with us, care about our growth, and persistently assist us take our recreation to the following stage. Day-after-day on the ballpark comes with a transparent plan to get higher. They’ve constructed an atmosphere the place we are able to strategy the sport professionally, have enjoyable doing it, and nonetheless deal with enterprise each in follow and in video games.
I like the “Actual Baseball. Actual Enjoyable.” initiative. It creates an environment that’s nice for each the followers and the gamers. It’s a spot the place personalities can shine—the place you don’t have to fret about doing issues “the suitable method,” however can simply play the sport and revel in it. The followers get to return out, snicker, and nonetheless witness high-level, aggressive baseball. It opens the door for us to construct actual relationships, work together with the group, and hopefully encourage the following technology of ballplayers. It’s an ideal strategy to have fun all the things nice in regards to the sport; in addition to the work we’ve put in, the vitality we convey, and the expertise followers come for.
Chase Maifield – 1B, Eastside Diamond Hoppers: The factor that I like in regards to the USPBL in comparison with different locations is the connections I’ve made with not solely my teammates however different guys all through the league as effectively. Everybody right here has the identical aim and all of the managers and Ray are doing all the things they’ll to make us higher ball gamers.
I like the “Actual Baseball. Actual Enjoyable.” initiative as a result of it permits us to showcase our character with out sacrificing the game. We’re inspired to be genuine and put ourselves on the market. That is unquestionably probably the most enjoyable I’ve ever had enjoying the sport I like!
Ryan Enos – UTL, Utica Unicorns: I just like the USPBL as a result of it’s a extremely aggressive league, and with there solely being 4 groups it provides you an opportunity to construct relationships with the opposite gamers and coaches which is one thing distinctive and in contrast to every other league I’ve performed in.
The “Actual Baseball. Actual Enjoyable.” initiative has been a blast. It provides us an opportunity to point out our personalities and play free. It’s an incredible reminder to at all times have enjoyable and benefit from the recreation. There’s one thing cool about going to the sphere daily figuring out one thing you’ve by no means seen on the area might occur at any time!
Chris Schoeller – 2B/3B, Utica Unicorns: I like how the USPBL not solely provides us an opportunity to play skilled baseball, however we even have a chance to “construct our model” as an individual/athlete that we are able to keep it up in our future baseball careers or after we determine to maneuver on from the sport.
I like the “Actual Baseball. Actual Enjoyable” initiative as a result of it permits us to attach with the followers on a deeper stage. We get to construct relationships with the followers and encourage people who come to the ballpark.
Nate Mensik – OF, Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers:
I get pleasure from enjoying at Jimmy John’s area. It’s a nice environment with an incredible crowd that comes out and helps!
The “Actual Baseball. Actual Enjoyable.” initiative is a superb concept. It provides some extra leisure for the followers past the sport itself.
*And at last, ideas from Jake “Military” Armstrong.*
Military performed within the outdated period USPBL in 2023 earlier than spending a season within the Frontier League. He finally got here again to the brand new period USPBL this 12 months.
I used to be debating on shortening his response to wrap up this put up, however I’m leaving these solutions of their entirety. Military will get it. His advertising and baseball thoughts sees the identical imaginative and prescient that Ray and I do; The imaginative and prescient that we would like everybody to see and consider in.
Jake Armstrong – RHP, Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers:
1.) What’s one factor you want in regards to the USPBL in comparison with the place you’ve performed up to now?
I believe one of many important explanation why I find it irresistible right here a lot is the truth that the house owners and administration crew (Andy, Dana, Ray, Mike Z) take a lot pleasure in displaying followers what a great evening on the ballpark ought to truly appear like. There are quite a few issues/occasions to do and see across the stadium on a nightly foundation which provides us gamers all the things we might ask for as a result of who doesn’t love enjoying in entrance of a offered out Jimmy John’s Area each evening? I’ve been capable of play at plenty of stadiums in years prior and none of them have the identical kind of feeling or “magic” that Jimmy John’s Area of the USPBL has. The followers make us really feel like large leaguers right here. It’s 1 of 1.
2.) How does this period of “Actual Baseball. Actual Enjoyable” examine to while you performed within the USPBL up to now?
I performed for the Birmingham-Bloomfield Beavers in 2023 for my rookie season, and I got here away from that 12 months considering that I had simply performed in my most memorable season but. 2025 has already topped it. With “Actual Baseball. Actual Enjoyable.” the league has given us gamers a chance to attach with followers on a deeper scale, have crew celebrations, pre-game entrances, crew themes, and to only have enjoyable once more. Each recreation you’ll see us shaking arms within the stands in the course of the recreation, enjoying wiffleball with children, taking photos with followers, and even face portray if you happen to get there early.
Social media has been an enormous element for “Actual Baseball. Actual Enjoyable.” in 2025. The league has given us a platform to place ourselves and our manufacturers on the market which is one thing that you’ll positively not discover anyplace else. I’ve been capable of promote myself and my model by means of social media, giving out my very own giveaways, giving followers VIP entry to the sphere, partnering with native companies, making movies. It’s loopy. The suggestions and DM’s that I get from followers are unreal, and I wouldn’t need it every other method. I’m capable of be the baseball participant I appeared as much as rising up. Ray Ortega (aka “Sensei”) is likely one of the most artistic/pushed folks I do know. He deserves plenty of credit score for this new period and the locations it’s going to go.
