Batavia and Sharma are keenly aware of the vocabulary used during broadcasts. They remember their initial challenges with understanding terms like HR and OPS, recognizing that many viewers share this uncertainty regarding their significance.
“During my school years, I learned that an annual report card doesn’t necessarily reflect one’s intelligence,” Sharma remarked. “When you look at the scorecard, it doesn’t convey how difficult it is for the batter or the pitcher to perform on the field.”
To engage viewers unfamiliar with the game, they must clarify concepts that American audiences may usually take for granted. This includes highlighting the rarity of hitting multiple home runs in a single game, explaining the significance of a pitcher’s count, and even breaking down how to interpret the score graphic on-screen, such as indicating that the arrow points to either the top or bottom half of an inning.
“The audience isn’t foolish, but it’s essential to guide them and draw them in, especially today,” Batavia explained. “In this digital age, where we’re constantly on our phones due to the internet, we often lack the patience for confusing elements.”
MLB India has had a presence in the country for just a few years, yet it has already made a notable impact on the country’s baseball enthusiasts.
Shamit Mali, who discovered his passion for baseball through a cousin in the U.S., has officiated hundreds of youth games in India, often lingering at the field even after his duties are complete because he finds the sport so captivating. The broadcasts and the proliferation of clips on social media and YouTube are introducing the game to new fans directly.
“I recall when I first held a professional baseball in 2011; access to YouTube was limited, and the internet wasn’t widely available,” Mali shared. “We would search endlessly for videos on drills. As a first baseman, I specifically looked for first baseman drills and hitting techniques. Nowadays, with so much information readily accessible, I’ve witnessed many coaches with no prior connection to baseball learn from online content and successfully train kids, forming excellent teams and even winning tournaments.”
Youngsters who started learning the game in school just a few years ago are now teenagers, showcasing remarkable talent on the field.
”It amazes me to see a 14-year-old with such remarkable skills,” Mali said. “I could never have imagined possessing such talent at that age. Watching them play is a joy.”
the skills, the manner in which they manage pressure, because that’s the essence of what sports teaches. Sports imparts lessons about life; that’s my belief. It prepares you for whatever challenges you encounter in life.
Video content date: 2024-10-20T06:47:45.549Z
Preferred Playback Scenario URL: the call as heard on STAR and MLB India of the Yankees securing the last out and advancing to the World Series
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Tejas Goradia, the chief business officer of India On Track, a grassroots sports development organization partnered with MLB, has witnessed this growth firsthand. His company was instrumental in introducing baseball to schools and in connecting new players with the equipment and coaching they needed. The accessibility of the sport on TV and online has greatly benefited its popularity.
“As a kid, when you return from school and turn on the television, or when your parents permit 15 or 30 minutes of YouTube, you can’t avoid seeing the Fernando Tatis bat flip or other similarly exuberant players in Indian cricket. That flamboyance is appealing. While it might not sit well with some purists, it undeniably attracts new fans,” he explains.
Initially, their programs in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore began with a mere 15 teams. Currently, there are 160 baseball clubs with 4,000-5,000 children under the age of 11 participating in the sport. For Goradia, this endeavor is more than just a job; it has been transformative.
“Venturing outside of metropolitan areas and small towns can be incredibly challenging for schoolchildren,” Goradia expressed emotionally. “We’ve encountered stories where children, thanks to the MLB Cup, have had their first opportunity to travel beyond their village to compete regionally, arriving in places like Delhi or Mumbai. They are often the first from their village to visit the city. For many, receiving a flight or train ticket to travel there and experiencing air travel for the first time is monumental. This experience is unprecedented not just for them individually, but for their families and villages as well. For them, the letters ‘MLB’ symbolize the potential for life-changing opportunities.”
is some of the magic that Batavia and Sharma are striving to encapsulate in their broadcasts. This includes not only the comebacks and walk-off victories, the significant strikeouts, and doubles to the gap, but also the extraordinary stories that unfold.
for the larger-than-life legends on the field.
“For us, every story is fresh. Each player brings a unique narrative. Every team presents a new challenge. It’s all a new subject,” remarked Batavia. “We are just beginning to explore and grasp the enchanting aspects of this remarkable game and the incredible league it comprises.”
Who knows? This might mark the dawn of a significant baseball nation. Perhaps this is the moment for baseball to establish itself in India. It’s conceivable that the young schoolchildren of today could become the pioneering players of a national team vying for a place in future World Baseball Classics. With India in contention to host the 2036 Olympics, the timing could be perfect for all these initiatives to align.
“If that were to occur,” Liu pondered about the future, “it would present an ideal opportunity for a nation of a billion cricket players—comprising numerous powerful batsmen and rapid bowlers—to channel their skills into a sport that holds considerable similarities, to discover what they could achieve in baseball on home ground in 2036.”
As the ball soared from Nick Castellanos’ bat during the ninth inning of last year’s Braves-Phillies NLDS Game 2, curving toward the right-center field warning track, the audience at Truist Park in Atlanta held its breath. A home run would propel Philadelphia into the lead.
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4:45 AM UTC
When the ball soared from Nick Castellanos’ bat in the top of the ninth inning of
During last year’s Braves-Phillies NLDS Game 2, as the ball soared toward the warning track in right-center field, the spectators at Truist Park in Atlanta were on edge. A home run would allow Philadelphia to take the lead.
However, the tension wasn’t confined to the fans in Atlanta. Manish Batavia, one of the analysts based in India alongside Aayush Sharma, found himself providing the play-by-play commentary from a television feed in Mumbai. Suddenly, he took over as his partner, Jacob Wilkins, who was broadcasting from MLB Network studios in Secaucus, N.J., experienced a sudden Wi-Fi outage.
With little time to spare, Batavia seamlessly stepped into the role as Michael Harris II made the catch that initiated the game-ending double play.
“When I’m entering a battle and believe I need 100 arrows to triumph, I will arm myself with 200 instead,” Batavia expressed to MLB.com via Zoom after a recent broadcast. “I prioritize over-preparation because I don’t want to appear uninformed on air.”
Batavia acknowledges that, like many people in India, he didn’t grow up with baseball. He had to study the game deeply, watching countless hours of footage and analyzing clips meticulously, akin to a forensic analyst examining a crime scene, in order to decipher the rules and understand the statistical terminologies.
“To be completely honest, I don’t want to pander to anyone by claiming, ‘Oh, we adored MLB during our childhood.’ That’s not entirely accurate. The bat versus ball dynamic has existed in our culture for decades due to cricket, correct? India is predominantly a cricket-loving nation, so we enjoy bat and ball contests, but baseball was rarely aired in India.”
Sharma, another experienced sports broadcaster, is also relatively new to the sport. He understands that while he can prepare for broadcasts like any other television personality, the emotional connection and ingrained history many American fans have with the game are nuances he is still learning to capture.
“What I have gleaned from four or five years in my professional journey is that having an emotional connection to the game is vital for effectively calling it,” Sharma stated. “It’s not merely about reading a script. You must become emotionally invested. Once that happens, you find yourself in a far more comfortable position to commentate. I admit I’m not quite there yet, but I’m striving to get there.”
Manish Batavia and Aayush Sharma are featured in the latest broadcasts that aim to engage cricket enthusiasts and potentially convert them into fans and players of baseball. MLB established an office in India in 2019, launching First Pitch programs designed to introduce young people to the sport. Additionally, they organized the MLB Cup for amateur youth teams nationwide and produced television series like “Indian Baseball Dreams,” which documented the journey of Arjun Nimmala, an Indian-American who was a first-round Draft pick by the Blue Jays.
Raymond Liu, MLB’s vice president of international business, stated, “For any foreign sport to gain traction in a new international market, it is essential to have heroes that fans can admire. We hope that some of these heroes share similarities with the fans. This trend is evident in Shohei [Ohtani’s] first World Series. The viewership ratings from Japan highlight this impact.”
This season marks the second consecutive year of these broadcasts (while MLB games have been shown in India for a longer period, this is the second postseason featuring Batavia and Sharma). Furthermore, a new competition show called “HotShots,” hosted by former MLB star Adam Jones and cricket icon Shikhar Dhawan, is set to premiere soon.
Liu explained, “We are dealing with the two most popular bat-and-ball sports globally that share a common vocabulary. Cricket is the only other sport I know that uses terms like ‘innings’ and ‘runs.’ It presents a unique opportunity for us to highlight these connections, encouraging fans to explore baseball alongside cricket.”
Batavia and Sharma are acutely aware of this shared vocabulary while they are broadcasting. Initially, they grappled with understanding American baseball terms such as HR and OPS, realizing many viewers also struggle to grasp their significance.
Sharma shared, “During my school days, I learned an important lesson: your annual report card does not define your intelligence. Similarly, when following the scorecard of a game, it can be difficult to interpret the challenges facing the batter or the pitcher on the field.”
They strive to clarify concepts that American viewers might overlook, such as the rarity of achieving multiple home runs in one game, the significance of a starting pitcher’s pitch count, and the intricacies of reading the score bug on screen—pointing out that the arrow indicates the top or bottom half of the inning.
“Viewers are not foolish; however, in today’s world, it’s essential to guide them and draw them in,” Batavia remarked. ”Due to the internet and our fast-paced lives, we constantly use our phones and lack the patience for anything that perplexes us.”
Though MLB India has only recently established itself in the country, its influence has already resonated with the passionate baseball fans.
Shamit Mali, who developed his affection for baseball through a cousin in the U.S., has officiated numerous youth games in the nation and often stays after his duties are completed simply because “this sport is so beautiful.” The game has reached new audiences through television broadcasts and the sharing of clips on social media and YouTube.
“I recall that when I first engaged with professional baseball in 2011, access to YouTube was limited, and the internet wasn’t as readily available,” Mali stated. “We would search online tirelessly for drills. As a first baseman, I specifically sought out drills and hitting techniques. But now, with a wealth of information at one’s fingertips, I’ve witnessed many coaches without prior experience in the game successfully train kids using YouTube content, leading them to form excellent teams and even win tournaments.”
Young players who were introduced to the game as children only a few years ago have now entered their teenage years, showcasing remarkable progress on the field.
“I am amazed to see a 14-year-old display such talent,” Mali expressed. “I couldn’t even picture myself having those abilities at that age. Watching them perform, observing their skills and pressure management, makes me truly appreciate the lessons sports impart. Sports prepares you for life’s challenges—that’s how I perceive it.”
Tejas Goradia, the chief business officer of India On Track—a grassroots sports development organization partnered with MLB—has witnessed this growth firsthand. His company played a key role in introducing baseball to schools and providing budding players with the equipment and guidance they required. The sport’s visibility on television and the internet has significantly benefited its popularity.
“As a kid returning home from school, whether the TV was on or I had 15 to 30 minutes allotted for YouTube, I couldn’t help but notice the Fernando Tatis bat flip or other similarly dynamic players in Indian cricket. This flair captivates audiences. While it might not please traditionalists, it certainly draws in new fans.”
Initially, their programs in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore began with just 15 teams. Today, there are 160 ballclubs, engaging 4,000 to 5,000 children under the age of 11 in baseball. For Goradia, this undertaking transcends mere employment; it has been a transformative experience.
“Traveling beyond the metropolitan areas, away from the towns, life can become extremely challenging for schoolchildren,” Goradia expressed, visibly moved. “We’ve heard stories of kids who, due to the MLB Cup, had their first opportunity to leave their village and play in a regional event in Delhi or Mumbai. They are often the first in their villages to visit Delhi. For many, receiving a flight or train ticket to get there means experiencing an airplane ride for the first time in their lives, and for their families, and even their entire village. To them, the three letters ‘MLB’ represent how life can transform.”
This is the essence of the magic that Batavia and Sharma aim to embody in their broadcasts. It’s not just about dramatic comebacks or thrilling walk-off victories, nor merely the impressive strikeouts and doubles; it’s also about the incredible stories surrounding the extraordinary figures on the field.
“For us, every story is fresh. Each player brings a unique narrative, and every team represents a new subject,” Batavia remarked. “We are just beginning to uncover the enchantment of this remarkable game and this outstanding league.”
Who knows, perhaps this marks the inception of a thriving baseball nation, a place where India can truly leave its imprint on the sport. It’s conceivable that these young schoolchildren will one day become players on the national team, striving for a spot in future World Baseball Classics. With India in contention to host the 2036 Olympics, this is a crucial time for all these initiatives to come together.
“If that scenario were to materialize,” Liu said, contemplating the future, “it would present an ideal opportunity for a nation of a billion cricket players — filled with exceptional batsmen and fast bowlers — to channel their skills into a sport that closely resembles baseball, and to see what they could achieve on home soil in 2036.”
MLB’s Postseason Broadcasts in India: Cultivating a New Generation of Baseball Fans
The Growing Appeal of Baseball in India
Baseball, traditionally seen as America’s pastime, is gradually carving out its niche in India. With Major League Baseball (MLB) postseason broadcasts now accessible, a new generation of Indian sports enthusiasts is discovering the excitement and drama that baseball offers.
Understanding the MLB Postseason
The MLB postseason is a thrilling tournament that determines the league champions, culminating in the World Series. The postseason format includes:
- **Wild Card Games**: Giving teams a final chance to enter the playoff picture.
- **Division Series**: Best-of-five series to determine division winners.
- **League Championship Series**: Best-of-seven series to find the league champion.
- **World Series**: The ultimate showdown between the American League and National League champions.
The drama of elimination games, the strategy of pitching matchups, and the heroics of clutch performances make the postseason a captivating spectacle for viewers.
Broadcasting MLB in India: A Game Changer
The launch of MLB postseason broadcasts in India marks a significant milestone in promoting baseball across the subcontinent. With viewership on the rise, MLB is taking proactive steps to engage potential fans through various media outlets.
Popular Platforms for MLB Broadcasts
Indian sports fans can catch all the MLB postseason action on several platforms:
| Platform | Coverage Type | Subscription Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN India | Live TV Broadcast | Yes |
| Hotstar | Live Streaming | Yes |
| YouTube | Highlights and Replays | No |
| MLB App | Official Updates and Stats | No |
These platforms offer fans various ways to watch their favorite teams, enhancing accessibility and reach.
Benefits of MLB’s Focus on India
The decision to broadcast MLB postseason games in India is a strategic move with multiple benefits:
- **Increased Fan Engagement**: With access to live games, fans can engage with the sport in real-time, fostering a deeper connection.
- **Youth Participation**: As children and teenagers watch the games, they are inspired to play baseball, nurturing grassroots programs and local leagues.
- **Cultural Exchange**: MLB brings American baseball culture to India, promoting international sportsmanship and camaraderie among fans.
- **Economic Opportunities**: Increased interest in baseball could lead to sponsorships, merchandise sales, and eventually, local leagues.
Practical Tips for New Baseball Fans
If you’re new to baseball and want to dive into the MLB postseason, here are some practical tips to enhance your viewing experience:
1. **Learn the Basics**: Familiarize yourself with the rules of baseball, including how scoring works and the significance of different positions.
2. **Follow a Team**: Choose a team to root for; this adds a personal connection to the games.
3. **Engage on Social Media**: Follow MLB’s social media channels for updates, highlights, and community discussions.
4. **Join Local Baseball Clubs**: Look for local baseball clubs or groups in your area to meet fellow fans and participate in discussions.
5. **Attend Local Games**: If available, watch local amateur or youth baseball games to see the sport in action.
Case Studies: Successful Fan Engagement Initiatives
Several initiatives have already shown positive results in attracting fans to baseball in India:
1. School Programs and Clinics
In collaboration with local sports organizations, MLB has initiated baseball clinics in schools across major Indian cities. These programs introduce children to the sport through engaging activities, helping cultivate a love for baseball from a young age.
2. Promotional Campaigns on Social Media
MLB’s targeted social media campaigns have played a crucial role in reaching young audiences. By utilizing platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, they share exciting content, including player interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, making the sport more relatable.
3. Celebrity Endorsements
Having local sports celebrities and influencers endorse baseball has amplified interest. These figures share their personal experiences with baseball, making it more appealing to their followers.
First-Hand Experience: A New Fan’s Journey
Meet Priya Sharma, a 24-year-old cricket fan from Mumbai who recently discovered baseball through MLB’s postseason broadcasts. Here’s her take on the experience:
> ”Initially, I was skeptical about baseball. However, after watching a few postseason games on Hotstar, I was hooked! The strategies, the suspense of a close game, and the atmosphere of the stadiums fascinated me. I’ve since joined a local baseball club and even played a few games with friends. The community is welcoming, and I’ve made some great friends.”
Priya’s story reflects the potential of baseball to capture the hearts of sports fans in India, illustrating how broadcasts can lead to active participation and community building.
Conclusion: Building a Baseball Community in India
The introduction of MLB postseason broadcasts in India is not just about increasing viewership; it’s about fostering a new generation of baseball enthusiasts. As fans engage with the sport, participate in events, and share their experiences, the baseball culture in India is set to flourish. Through consistent efforts in outreach, education, and community-building, MLB is poised to cultivate a lasting legacy of baseball in the country.
With the right blend of engaging broadcasts and community initiatives, the future looks bright for baseball in India.
Key Takeaways
– MLB postseason broadcasts are crucial for cultivating baseball fans in India.
– Various platforms provide accessible viewing options for fans.
– Engaging the youth through clinics, social media, and local leagues fosters grassroots support.
– Personal experiences from fans highlight the positive impact of baseball in Indian culture.
By embracing these changes and continuing to promote the sport, India could soon become a significant player in the global baseball arena.
