Los Angeles Times’ sportwriter Chris Erskine suggests in this fantastic article doing for batting cages what Starbucks did for coffee beans and water: turn them into an experience. In this case, it’s an experience that every baseball fan, young or old, could love, with high-tech gadgetry, pro baseball fantasy, and high-end service. Highlight of the article? The suggestion that batters face off against holograms of their favorite pitchers, including Bob Gibson, Don Drysdale and Steve Carlton. Look out for the beanball!
The main subject is actually the therapeutic value of batting cages, but it’s a great article for marketers nonetheless, as it nicely describes the nostalgic, emotional underpinnings necessary for a successful reinvention. And, I hope someone takes him seriously enough to invest the money. I’m looking forward to facing Nolan Ryan’s fastball.