League Architecture | League Structure

MLB mode

MLB uses a tiered system (major leagues, minor leagues) with an emphasis on echelon building and long-term development.

MLB operates a tiered system (Major League, Minor League) with a focus on talent pipelines and long-term development.

The current situation in China

The Chinese Baseball League (CBL) is relatively small and needs to establish a more complete graded league and youth training system.

China Baseball League (CBL) remains small-scale and requires a multi-tier league system and youth development programs.

Talent training system | Talent Development

MLB Experience

Develop players through the draft, farm systems (minor leagues), and international academies such as the MLB Development Center.

MLB cultivates talent through drafts, farm systems (Minor Leagues), and international academies (e.g., MLB Development Centers).

China Path

Promote campus baseball, cooperate with MLB to establish training bases (such as MLB Nanjing Development Center), and explore draft mechanisms.

Expand school baseball programs, collaborate with MLB on training facilities (e.g., MLB Nanjing Academy), and explore draft systems.

Commercial operation | Commercialization

MLB Strategy

Media rights, sponsorship partnerships, merchandising sales, and digital content (e.g., MLB.TV) are core revenue streams.

Media rights, sponsorships, merchandise, and digital content (e.g., MLB.TV) drive MLB's revenue.

China Challenge

Improve the quality of event broadcasting, attract corporate sponsorship, and develop localized IP (such as Chinese baseball stars).

Improve broadcast quality, attract corporate sponsors, and develop localized IP (e.g., Chinese baseball stars).

Cultural Promotion | Cultural Promotion

MLB Case

Popularize baseball culture through "MLB Baseland" events and crossover entertainment such as the movie "Legend No. 42".

MLB promotes baseball culture through events like "MLB Baseball Park" and cross-industry campaigns (e.g., film 42).

China strategy

Combine esports (e.g. MLB: The Show) and short video platforms (Douyin/Kuaishou) to attract younger people.

Leverage esports (e.g., MLB: The Show) and short-video platforms (Douyin/Kuaishou) to engage youth.

Policy support | Policy Support

Government roles

It is necessary to coordinate the resources of the General Administration of Sports, the education department and enterprises to promote baseball into the school physical education curriculum.

Government agencies should coordinate resources to integrate baseball into school curricula.

International collaboration

Learn from MLB's experience in working with Japanese and Korean leagues (e.g., player exchanges, joint events).

Learn from MLB's partnerships with NPB (Japan) and KBO (Korea) in player exchanges and joint events.

Key Challenges | Key Challenges

The mass base is weak

Baseball is still a niche sport in China, and it needs to cultivate a fan culture for a long time.

Baseball remains a niche sport in China, requiring long-term fan culture cultivation.

Inadequate infrastructure

The scarcity of professional baseball venues restricts the level of event holding and training.

Lack of professional stadiums limits event hosting and training quality.