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Revitalizing Baseball and Softball: Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Opportunities

The decline in youth participation in baseball and softball since 1987 is concerning, with a staggering 31.1% decrease in baseball players. Factors contributing to this trend include aging populations, competition from extreme sports, and the high cost of participation. However, there is hope as interest in these beloved sports grows. Proactive programs and initiatives exist to foster engagement and retention. By maximizing fan interest and simplifying entry into the game, we can create a brighter future for baseball and softball. Join us in revitalizing America's favorite pastime!

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Revitalizing Baseball and Softball: Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Opportunities

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  1. Growing the GAME... ...together

  2. Perceptions & Issues • Old people sport • Slow game • Focus on one sport • Playing time • Difficult to learn • Time consuming • Expensive • Lack of inner city opportunities

  3. There is Hope! • Interest is up • Programs exist • It’s baseball!

  4. State of the INDUSTRY

  5. Participation Trends... Baseball 1987 to Present • 31.1% decrease since 1987 • Rose slightly from 1987-1995 • Downtrend since 1995 • Loss of nearly 6 million players in last 10 years Source: SGMA U.S. Trends in Team Sports 2003

  6. Participation Trends... Softball 1987 to Present • 22.4% decrease since 1987 • Rose slightly from 1987-1995 • Downtrend since 1995 • Loss of nearly 6 million players in last 10 years Source: SGMA U.S. Trends in Team Sports 2003

  7. Why Players are Leaving... Youth • Team sports have become more serious • Growth of extreme sports • The technology generation Source: SGMA U.S. Trends in Team Sports 2003

  8. Why Players are Leaving... Adults • Aging • Time constraints • Priorities • Technology

  9. Impact on EquipmentSales • Overall sporting goods category is down • Baseball and softball are relatively flat Source: SGMA State of the Industry 2004

  10. • Baseball 10.9 +4.6 • Softball 16.0 - 3.4 • Fitness Bicycling 12.0 +8.0 • Fitness Swimming 15.9 +9.3 • Fitness Walking 38.9 - 0.1 • Free Weights 51.6 +6.9 Exercising • Stationary Cycling 31.0 +6.4 SPORT # of PARTICIPANTS % CHANGE (millions) How Do WeCompare

  11. • Running/Jogging 36.2 +0.8 • Stretching 42.1 +9.7 • Yoga/Tai Chi 13.4 +20.4 • Bowling 55.0 +3.5 • Camping 51.1 +2.4 • Hiking 40.4 +6.7 • Fishing 53.0 +3.0 SPORT # of PARTICIPANTS % CHANGE (millions) How Do WeCompare

  12. • Target Shooting 19.8 +12.7 • Paintball 9.8 +13.3 • In-Line Skating 19.2 - 10.8 • Artificial Wall 8.6 +20.2 Climbing • Tennis 17.3 +5.9 • Golf 27.3 - 1.8 Source: SGMA Super Study of Sports SPORT # of PARTICIPANTS % CHANGE (millions) How Do WeCompare

  13. Team SportsComparison 2003 vs. 2002 • Baseball +4.6% • Softball - 3.4% • Basketball - 3.1% • Volleyball - 5.6% • Football - 4.0% • Cheerleading - 0.6% • Soccer +0.2% • Ice Hockey +6.8% • Lacrosse +22.9% Source: SGMA Super Study of Sports

  14. Major LeagueBaseball • Increased average attendance • Growth in younger fans • Increased gross revenue Source: USA Today

  15. TakingAction • Golf Industry • Tennis Industry

  16. Golf... The Situation • Flat/decrease in golfers • Flat/decrease in rounds played • Too many facilities • Decrease in sales

  17. PGA Tour... Support • Industry leverage • Financial

  18. • PGA Tour • LPGA • PGA of America • USGA • NGCOA • GCSOAOA • CMAA • Titleist • ClubCar • Callaway Golf • Golfweek • Nike Golf

  19. Mission To align the golf industry behind a plan that addresses the future of golf in a strategic manner, with an emphasis on accelerating growth and participation, and creating new avenues of access into the game.

  20. Areas ofFocus • Adult player development • Junior golf • Alternative facilities • Colleges • Research • Communication

  21. Accomplishments • 2001 segmentation study • Industry definitions • Juniorlinks.com • Link Up 2 Golf • National school golf program

  22. Results • Industry coordination • Proactive programs • Increased rounds played

  23. Tennis... The Situation • Unable to regain lost players • Erosion of frequent players • Unable to retain beginners • Decline in equipment sales

  24. Tennis... The Opportunities • 5 to 10 million Americans try tennis • Those who take lessons continue to play

  25. The Campaign • Tennis Welcome Centers • Tennis marketing campaign • Learn to play tennis…fast!

  26. IndustrySupport

  27. Tennis WelcomeCenters • No charge for trial racquets • Free trial lessons • Organized social experiences • Follow up programs • Low pro/student ratio

  28. Tennis WelcomeCenters • 3,000 participating facilities • Manufacturer P.O.P. support • TENNISWELCOMECENTER.com

  29. Tennis MarketingCampaign • Drive player recruitment, retention • Reshape the perception of tennis • Generate excitement

  30. Results • Industry coordination • Proactive programs • Stay tuned….

  31. Baseball/Softball... Next Steps • High fan interest • Proactive programs Growing the GAME… together

  32. Baseball/Softball... Opportunities • Build on fan interest • Promote unique programs • Maximize “America’s games” • Make it easy

  33. Growing the GAME... ...together • Have existing organization and programs • Need broader industry participation • Need youth baseball initiative • Need major sponsorship

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