Why is baseball developing slowly in China? Why Is Baseball Growing Slowly in China?

Core Challenges | Key Barriers

Cultural Perception Differences | Cultural Gap

United States: Baseball is the "national sport" and is deeply rooted in family and community cultures (e.g., the "father-to-son" tradition).

China: The public is more familiar with basketball, baseball rules are complex + equipment cost is high, and it is difficult to popularize.

Inadequate infrastructure | Lack of Infrastructure

United States: 55,000+ baseball stadiums, community leagues for the entire population.

China: There are less than 200 professional baseball stadiums, concentrated in first-tier cities.

Weak professionalization system Immature Pro System

United States: MLB (30 teams) + minor leagues (120+ teams) + independent leagues, providing a complete promotion path.

China: The professional league (CNBL) has only 6 teams, and the commercialization and media exposure are low.

Absence of an education system | School Program Gaps

United States: More than 500,000 participants in high school baseball and 48,000 scholarships from the NCAA.

China: Baseball courses in primary and secondary schools are scarce, and students with sports specialties have limited options for further education.

️ Game-Breaking Guide | Solutions Inspired by the US

Localization Strategy | Localized Approaches

✅ "Lightweight" promotion

Simplify the rules (e.g., softball baseball), lower the equipment threshold, and promote campus fun games.

Case study: Japan's "Kusanoball" culture drives national participation.

✅ IP creation and entertainment

Linkage with film and television/variety shows (referring to the influence of "Baseball Heroes" on Japan), and launch baseball-themed comic exhibitions and e-sports games.

✅ Coordinated investment between government and enterprises

The government plans community baseball parks, and companies sponsor urban amateur leagues (such as the "Panda Cup" model).

Lessons learned U.S. Model Insights

Community-based youth training system

Establish a "Little League" style community youth team, with parents involved in the operation, to cultivate family loyalty.

Data-driven material selection

MLB's Scout Score system (evaluation of ball speed/hitting accuracy, etc.) was introduced to scientifically screen potential stocks.

University alliance empowerment

Promote the live broadcast of the "College Baseball Championship" and replicate the circle-breaking effect of the NCAA's "March Madness".

Short-term recommendations for action | Quick Wins

1️⃣ Urban Pilot Program

In Chengdu/Wuxi and other cities with a good baseball foundation, establish a "5km baseball life circle" (stadium + training + events).

2️⃣ Celebrity Player Endorsements

Invite MLB Chinese players (such as Zhang Yucheng) to serve as promotion ambassadors to create inspirational characters.

3️⃣ Cross-border co-branded marketing

Baseball equipment brands x Guochao IP (such as Li Ning x Forbidden City co-branded bats) have attracted the attention of Generation Z.

⚾ Long-term vision | Long-Term Vision

2025 goal: 100,000+ teenagers to participate in baseball training and broadcast CNBL.

2030 goal: the first Chinese MLB All-Star player will be born, and the baseball class penetration rate in primary and secondary schools will exceed 30%.

Let’s turn baseball into a HOME RUN in China!