A little-talked-about ripple effect in the declining numbers of major league Black baseball players is the decline in Black baseball fans. The players on the field notice it (at every level). The fans notice it. But it is not front and center to those covering the game. Since I've founded the Mixtape, I've been exploring the questions surrounding Black baseball fandom. And I must admit that my opinion has evolved over the last four years. Check out some of my recent thoughts on this solo podcast. This conversation will carry forward as a BBM theme throughout the 2026 baseball season and year.

The Black Baseball Mixtape is now on Substack. Please subcribe for free and, if you feel called, support with a yearly subscription. We need it.

The Black Baseball Mixtape partners with the Players Alliance, Minority Prospects, and Numbers Game Scorebooks.

Last year, you may have stumbled across a press story or social media post about a 40-year-old man who decided to play college baseball at the JUCO level.

Well, that man is Aaron Rouselle, and he is our special guest on this joint episode of In the Booth hosted by Flobo Boyce and the Black Baseball Mixtape podcast.

Coach Rouselle is a true inspiration to anyone with a dream. Yes, he played college baseball at an advanced age, but he is also a 2X liver transplant survivor, a cancer survivor, he had shingles, and he even had mold growing in his lungs. The fact that Aaron is with us today is indeed a miracle.

He now leads young men in the game and teaches them more than baseball. He teaches his players about life.

This episode is in partnership with the Players Alliance, Numbers Game Scorebooks, and Minority Prospects.

2026 will be the inaugural Banana Land season for the Indianapolis Clowns. If that name sounds familiar — it should. The Clowns bring a rich history to Banana Ball, rooted in the Negro Leagues. The Clowns were established in 1930 and were ultimately disbanded in 1962. Known as much for their entertainment as their baseball, the Clowns are the perfect team for a contemporary renewal in Banana Land.

Coach Errick Fox has been tapped as the Clowns' manager. He will have some extremely talented players joining him — none more notable than 3X All-Star, NL MVP, and World Series Champion Ryan Howard. Howard has signed on as Primetime coach for the Clowns. All-Star and World Series Champion Jackie Bradley Jr. will also suit up for the Clowns. Coach Fox will have at his disposal some of the top talent in Banana Land history.

On this episode, Coach Fox talks about his journey from playing in Atlanta to coaching at the college level to landing in Banana Land. He also speaks candidly about what he expects to accomplish in the team's first season.

The Black Baseball Mixtape is now on Substack! Please leap and subscribe.

The Black Baseball Mixtape is in partnership with the Players Alliance, Minority Prospects, and Numbers Game Scorecards.