The World Baseball League (WBL) is a new league of baseball teams that aim to incorporate entertainment into baseball.
The goal of this league is to create an atmosphere and fan base that resembles the renowned Savannah Bananas, with a focus on entertainment and interaction with their audiences.
Creator, Gaines Johnson, a Samford Alum, describes the combination of baseball and musical or theatrical elements to help engagement with the crowds.
“The League’s mission is to transform baseball into an inclusive, family-oriented entertainment experience accessible to a global audience,” said Johnson in his press release.
Johnson came up with this idea on June 23, 2024, with inspiration from his passion for sports, particularly baseball, and engaging with his community.
The WBL also aims to honor famous baseball player, Willie Mays, who died days before the foundation of the league.
This group is open to both male and female players willing to play and provide the entertainment that the WBL wishes to be known for.
To be a part of a team, one does not need skill or experience, but simply the desire to be there.
Another interesting element about this league is the way that scoring works for the games.
“While The League follows traditional baseball rules, it incorporates unique scoring elements that blend athletic performance with entertainment,” said Johnson in his press release.
These different rules include winning the inning, performance points, tie-breaking activities and mathematical eliminations.
These rules are used to enhance the entertainment value of the games themselves.
The WBL also works to ensure that the formation of teams is simple and that they do not encounter any financial issues.
The point of this league is to bring together the community and this is done through the support of the communities funding and fueling the formation and play of the teams.
There are three major events that are used to gather the teams that are both local and global, creating the union of the different teams from different cultures and backgrounds that have found a common love.
In order to market these events, the league and the teams, the focus is on creating more narrative stories and connecting people to more personal elements, such as the players.
Their major media move is to create a docuseries that focuses on how the WBL was created and is developing as more people learn of it.
Part of the narrative tells how the teams work to create community, as well as impact the ones that support them.
“Teams are encouraged to support youth leagues, host community events, and provide affordable, family-oriented sports and entertainment,” said Johnson in his press release.
Johnson concludes by discussing the short-term and long-term goals of the WBL.
The goal is to start in some major cities across the US and eventually spread internationally, showcasing the passion and fun that baseball brings to communities across the globe.
