MLB Support For Chinese Baseball A Step In Right Direction

When David Stern’s NBA games are broadcast on televisions in China, millions and millions watch. The Chinese also buys lots of NBA apparel (even the fake stuff!). And, MLB wants to get in on the action.

Establishing a foothold in the huge Chinese sports market is a big reason why MLB has been involved with China’s national baseball team. It’s a smart move by a league that has a storied history of being left behind by the marketing geniuses at both the NFL and the NBA.

Although still officially called America’s favorite pastime, baseball has been replaced by American football as the most popular professional sport in the United States. While basketball remains hugely popular in the prep and collegiate ranks - even the NBA and its “I don’t wanna play defense” stars are losing fans on an annual basis.

But Unlike in Europe, where the MLB Envoy Coaching Program or the annual Road Show is more cosmetic than beneficial, the Commissioner’s Office has aided China’s baseball development in a big, big way. Even though the Chinese will not win a medal at the upcoming Olympic baseball tournament - their opponents better hit well or else…?

Baseball has a long, long history in China dating back to at least 1863 when an American medical missionary, Henry William Boone, formed the Shanghai Baseball Club. Some studies also suggest that China was the first Asian country to play baseball.

However, baseball was exterminated from China - along with coaches who were persecuted and murdered - during the late 50s. The death of Chinese Communist Party leader Mao Zedong eased anti-Western sentiments and baseball began its slow trek back into Chinese society.

The commitment MLB has made to help the game of baseball grow in China, albeit for future rewards, is beyond impressive. The New York Yankees even got into the act when they became the first MLB franchise to ink a sponsorship deal with a Chinese company. The Yankees sweet deal with a leading dairy products company goes a long way towards re-inventing the image of MLB clubs and their owners.

MLB has suffered from rich guys (and groups) buying franchises as an investment and waiting for the right time to sell for the past two decades. Texans were ecstatic when Tom Hicks purchased our beloved Rangers, and he forked over the big bucks to try and win his early years as an owner. But, old Tom learned that besides money, he needed a gifted baseball man as well. The Rangers quickly became an investment with no “will to win” and the stat geek - Jon Daniels - has blossomed into a general manager waiting to be fired by a “true” baseball man, Nolan Ryan.

Because sports have become more important in Chinese culture, and because baseball is highly popular in several Asian countries, the game actually has a bright future in China if MLB does not abandon Chinese baseball when the Olympics are over. And, with so much already invested and the potential huge rewards, this is highly doubtful.

The success of Chien-Ming Wang of Taiwan, who has developed into one of the top pitchers in MLB, gives credence to those who believe that besides finding baseball’s version of Yao Ming, China could become a major source of big league talent in the future. And, with 1.3 billion people, it’s a good bet.