The Sports Info Business

The Major League Baseball All Star game might be over, but the video of The Batting Stance Guy from a recent appearance on David Letterman is certainly worth a look.

The Batting Stance Guy is really Gar Ryness , a 36 year old wiffle ball junkie from Los Angeles who’s friend taped his antics and then posted it on YouTube, among other places.  The character has become such a hit that major leaguers ask him to show off different poses and like a few others, he has become an Internet sensation.

He has mastered the hitting stances of every current player in baseball and also throws out a few old timers for Letterman including Rod Carew, Willie Stargell, Joe Morgan and Cal Ripken,

Here he is on the David Letterman show during the all-star break showing off some of this talents.

Anyone who enjoys baseball probably grew up imitating players batting stances.  I did.  I remember playing a version of baseball in the Lent’s basement as a kid and we had to bat right or left handed based on the batting order of the team we chose for that game.

This proves a few things to me.

1) Follow your passion.  Gar has a passion for baseball, has a good delivery on camera and it comes through when he is interviewed.  His love and passion for the game landed him in places he probably never thought possible.

2) You Tube stars come in all sizes and shapes.  From Obama Girl to Susan Boyle to Charlie Bit my finger — post something unique for others to see and yes, it might take off.

3) In order for Gar Ryness to master the batting stances of every player from all 30 baseball teams, the guy has a lot of time on his hands!

Here is one more, called Red Sox Batting Stances, past and present.  It includes the following players

David Ortiz
Manny Ramirez
Jason Vartitek
Nomar Garciaparra
Mo Vaughn
Johnny Damon
Wade Boggs
Dwight Evans
Jim Rice
Dave Henderson
Fred Lynn
Ted Williams
Carlton Fisk
Carl Yastrzemski
Kevin Youkilis

——————-

If you want more of Gar, The Batting Stance Guy has his own web site.

It is half way through the baseball season and while some players get a thee day break to heal, spend time with family or just hang out, the best in Major League Baseball will gather in St. Louis tomorrow night for the 2009 MLB All-Star game.   Home to the St. Louis Cardinals, the Major League Baseball Mid-Summer Classic gets under way.  For fans of the Cardinals and for those that live in the mid-west, it has been a few years since the all-stars gathered at Busch Stadium.  It was so long ago, according to the record books, I was learning how to walk and talk.  The last time the all star game was played at Busch Stadium Lyndon Johnson was president, USSR launched Luna 10, which would become the first space probe to orbit the moon and Woodstock was still three years away from happening.

Fox Sports, who owns the broadcasting rights, produced this commercial, highlighting the Arch in St. Louis as the background for branding the city of St. Louis.

Last year Josh Hamilton created a buzz during the home run contest by hitting just about everything out of the park.  It was the first time in a few years, I have to admit, that I paid attention to the game.

For those of you who care about the 2009 MLB All-Star game in St. Louis for facts other than it provides home field advantage during the world series, here are a few more tidbits:

** This is the third time int he last four years the game has been played in a national League Stadium.

** It has been a while since the National League won the All-Star game.  1996 to be exact, a 6-0 whitewash at Veterans Stadium.

** The Los Angeles Angles will host the 2011 game

** The Arizona Diamondbacks get their first opportunity with the 2011 game.

Here is a list of the all-stars selected to play this year.

As a resource, here is a link to to the rosters supplied by major league baseball and a hot link to each individual player.

In a related story to the all-star game, the New York Times on Monday published a story, All-Star Sponsors Strive to Look Truly Charitable. St. Louis, has been on a kick to make this year’s game truly different from past efforts.

The 58th National Basketball Association All-Star Game will call the US Airways Center home this weekend.  I wanted to share with you a great brand and sports marketing event the NBA has launched along with partner GEICO Insurance.

GEICO has become the first-ever NBA All-Star Weekend sponsor for a special game of H.O.R.S.E tonight.  

Instead of the childhood game many of knew of  H.O.R.S.E., it will now be called G.E.I.C.O

Every time a player hits a shot, a G will go up, then an E, an I, a C and an O. GEICO will generate full on-screen exposure throughout the entire game.

“This is a great opportunity to create an innovative experience with the GEICO brand in a distinct setting that is perfect for our current and future customers” said Bill Brower, director of advertising for GEICO.  “I think it will be fun for all viewers and it puts an original spin on a classic game.”

I could not agree more.  Same number of letters but with the brand integrated into the game itself.  It is a first, so the event will also draw extra attention, something the all-star game has needed.  H-O-R-S-E could be a quick game or go on forever.  Either way, G-E-I-C-O comes out a winner in this event.

The deal also calls for GEICO to have signage throughout the half court appearing on the scoreboard, stanchions and pole pads. The famous GEICO Gecko will also be on camera cheering the All-Star players during the competition.

The event is scheduled to be aired on TNT

The special presentation will include TNT talent analyzing the shots with players who will be mic’d up so viewers can hear them call their shots and exchange banter. No dunks will be allowed!