Zinzin’s Post

New blog post on Zinzin. Keep on swinging!

Are you aware that The 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame will induct its latest class next week as it celebrates its 10th anniversary in Forest Park? Why it matters: Chicagoans invented 16-inch softball, which is traditionally played without fielder's gloves, here over 130 years ago when recreation options were slim. But the game now competes for players against more popular outdoor sports like pickleball. Flashback: The 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame museum opened in Forest Park in 2014 to educate people about the local history of the sport, and every year a class of influential players, coaches, teams and boosters is inducted. State of play: The class of 2024 will be inducted July 23, which will also be an anniversary celebration. Zoom in: The event will include a presentation featuring photographs of Hall of Famer Tom Bonen, who played on influential teams, helped build a softball stadium in Bridgeview and was among the first to bring corporate sponsors to the game. More than 50 years ago, he first published "Windy City Softball" magazine. Reality check: Even though other sports like pickleball have become the sport du jour for many Chicagoans, Maag says they are seeing a huge uptick in softball tournaments, especially since the pandemic. "The sport was really down around COVID," Maag tells Axios. "But this year, we are forecasting around 140 tournaments around the country. It's totally rebounded and becoming more popular than ever." The bottom line: Bonen's photographs, plus the spirit that surrounds this hallowed game, are on display at the Hall of Fame in Forest Park, which continues to do its part to keep it alive. If you go: The organizers expect up to 400 people for the free induction ceremony and the Legends Game immediately following. It kicks off at 4pm. #chicago #softball #sports #chicagoans #forestpark #halloffame

Are you aware that The 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame will induct its latest class next week as it celebrates its 10th anniversary in Forest Park? Why it matters: Chicagoans invented 16-inch softball, which is traditionally played without fielder's gloves, here over 130 years ago when recreation options were slim. But the game now competes for players against more popular outdoor sports like pickleball. Flashback: The 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame museum opened in Forest Park in 2014 to educate people about the local history of the sport, and every year a class of influential players, coaches, teams and boosters is inducted. State of play: The class of 2024 will be inducted July 23, which will also be an anniversary celebration. Zoom in: The event will include a presentation featuring photographs of Hall of Famer Tom Bonen, who played on influential teams, helped build a softball stadium in Bridgeview and was among the first to bring corporate sponsors to the game. More than 50 years ago, he first published "Windy City Softball" magazine. Reality check: Even though other sports like pickleball have become the sport du jour for many Chicagoans, Maag says they are seeing a huge uptick in softball tournaments, especially since the pandemic. "The sport was really down around COVID," Maag tells Axios. "But this year, we are forecasting around 140 tournaments around the country. It's totally rebounded and becoming more popular than ever." The bottom line: Bonen's photographs, plus the spirit that surrounds this hallowed game, are on display at the Hall of Fame in Forest Park, which continues to do its part to keep it alive. If you go: The organizers expect up to 400 people for the free induction ceremony and the Legends Game immediately following. It kicks off at 4pm. #chicago #softball #sports #chicagoans #forestpark #halloffame

One. More. Win. until Sooner Softball does what no other team has ever done (win 4 consecutive National Titles) 📣 🚀 ❗ Never too late to get your business involved with Sooner Softball! Interested in learning more about how you can get your brand in front of sooner fans? Send me a message. 🚀 #sportsbusiness #sportspartnership #sportsmarketing #womeninsports

I played (past tense) baseball, football, and basketball... but I still play Cornhole. The most-played sport in America… happens to be Cornhole. 2023 Ipsos survey: 20% of Americans played Cornhole in the last year — That's more than bowling (19%) and swimming (18%). And 2x that of golf (9%). Cornhole got so popular, it launched a Pro League: The American Corn League (ACL). But there's no Des Moines Cornholers pro team — instead, the league travels from city to city. It’s easier & cheaper to build a national audience with scarcity & intrigue. So just like the circus, Cornhole is only coming to Cleveland 1x year...so why not see it?   ⭐ All the upstart sports leagues (like Pro Cornhole, Pickleball, & Bull Riding) are following a touring model, that is just like the circus.

Softball leagues are in full swing, and to keep your game sharp, it's crucial to have proper mobility and warmup routines. Get ready to take the field with these three essential warmup moves to help you prevent injuries and enhance your performance! 🥎 #SportsWarmup

🚀🏀 Introducing the No Backboard Basketball League! A unique model combines training, content creation, and digital engagement. A new standard for athlete development and fan interaction. #nobackboards #basketball #trainingcontent https://loom.ly/ntEMyDE

This is interesting as eSports has been gaining popularity and legitimacy as a sports field over the last decade. How we view sportsmanship and competitiveness changes as our engagement with spectacle and spectating changes.

As a seasoned professional with two decades of experience in the world of basketball, having ascended to the professional ranks, I can attest to the critical importance of mastering the basics. It is essential to place a strong emphasis on footwork and ball control. These core skills are not just important; they are the very foundation upon which every great player builds their game. Without a solid grasp of these fundamentals, it is impossible to reach the heights of basketball excellence. ~Mr. Basic #MrBasicBasketballTraining #BasketballNeverStops #BallIsLife #BasketballCoach #BasketballSkills #BasketballPlayer #BasketballFundamentals #MasterTheBasics #ProTips #BasketballJourney

As a seasoned professional with two decades of experience in the world of basketball, having ascended to the professional ranks, I can attest to the critical importance of mastering the basics. It is essential to place a strong emphasis on footwork and ball control. These core skills are not just important; they are the very foundation upon which every great player builds their game. Without a solid grasp of these fundamentals, it is impossible to reach the heights of basketball excellence. ~Mr. Basic #MrBasicBasketballTraining #BasketballNeverStops #BallIsLife #BasketballCoach #BasketballSkills #BasketballPlayer #BasketballFundamentals #MasterTheBasics #ProTips #BasketballJourney