Watch CBS News

Kids' Interest In Baseball Waning

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Little League teams are struggling to attract players and baseball is less popular with other age groups as well. An article in The Washington Post notes that World Series viewers were the lowest ever and baseball's largest audience is older adults.

A 15-year study of 10,000 youth baseball players found that the sport is drawing a white, suburban affluent base and other research findings showed that 95% of college players were raised with both parents at home.

In the Major Leagues in 1986, 19% were blacks; today they are 9%, not enough role models! Latinos are the fastest growing component and they are more likely than whites or African Americans to be fans.

Meanwhile, the Nationals in D.C. started giving away team uniforms to all 4500 Little League players in the city to build the team's brand with the hope that the acceleration of modern life and kids' fascination with technology "doesn't conspire against baseball."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.