Batter up! Following a 99-day lockout this off season—the second longest work stoppage in Major League Baseball history—the game’s players and owners finally reached an agreement to bring our national pastime back. The season kicked off last week, a minimal delay from its originally scheduled opening day of March 31.

Almost every day from now until October, there will be fans in the stands. And despite the hard feelings some fans might have over the work stoppage, that’s an improvement. During the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, most parks were closed to fans. With restrictions lightened in 2021, Major League Baseball saw attendance drop 34% for regular season games compared the pre-pandemic 2019 season. The 2021 campaign registered as a 37-year low in attendance.

Even before the pandemic, attendance and TV ratings had been falling steadily since 2015.Many have feared the “death of baseball” for years. Attendance may be down, but “the one constant through the years has been baseball,” as James Earl Jones put it in Field of Dreams. “America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It’s been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time.”

People will come. They’ll pack the bleacher, enjoy the sunshine, hot dogs and draft beer. They’ll buy their peanuts and Cracker Jack. (Or Cracker Jill, speaking of the passage of time.)

Yes, if there are big league games anywhere, people will come.

They’ll want a fun, comfortable experience and a keepsake, too. Here are products perfect for watching America’s favorite pastime.

This stadium cushion provides comfort, even when your team is losing. Use the front pocket to hold programs and tickets or slip your hand into the pocket and wave it in the stands to show your team spirit. This cushion is perfect for game day giveaways, school fundraisers and season ticket holders.

Southern Plus  /  PPAI 110918, S6  /  

Make sure your client’s name rings a bell with these tall cowbells. These four-inch metal cowbells are a new twist on an old classic. Customized with your client’s name and logo, it's the perfect way to to be seen and heard. Available in red, white, blue, black, green or pink.

WOWLine / PPAI 112440, S4 / 

Recipients can cheer on their favorite team with this whistle with coil. Choose from colors like royal blue, white, red, orange, black, yellow, purple or lime green. With the wrist coil, this whistle can easily be carried from ball game to ball game.

Hit Promotional Products / PPAI 113910, S13 / 

Stay warm and comfortable with this fleece stadium blanket. Easy to carry, this blanket has a handle and rolls up in a Velcro closure. With this blanket, your client’s logo will stand out in the crowd as recipients bundle up.

Garyline  /  PPAI 112004, S10  /