We've previously covered crossovers between Major League Baseball and Nintendo, mainly because this scribe is bit of a Cubs fan. As many politely point out, often with a tongue sticking out emoji, there's more to baseball than the Cubbies, and we got a cool tip from a reader on another team with Nintendo fans in its ranks.
That team is the Atlanta Braves, which currently sits 2nd in the National League East. Apparently the team got through a recent three-hour, 12-minute rain delay by playing Mario Kart in the clubhouse. We're going to assume it's Mario Kart 8 Deluxethat's being referenced, as the Braves' website cutely says the team played on a 'Nintendo Wii Switch'.
It seems like a key part of the team's bonding in spare time.
We love it, and it brings back the good 'ol days," shortstop Dansby Swanson said. "It is fun and competitive, and it's entertaining."
"The best in the clubhouse is definitely Nick Markakis, as he is phenomenal," Jackson said. "[Eric] O'Flaherty is pretty good, Ender is good and Sean Rodriguez is an actual solid sleeper pick. But Markakis is probably clubhouse champ."
Markakis said he plays a lot in his free time at home. Yet, he said that the rain delay helped the team build more chemistry and lock in before resuming play.
"You've got to have some camaraderie in the clubhouse, and some fun other than baseball," Markakis said. "We are here for one thing, and we realize that, but when you have down time, you've got to have some things to do. It is just one of those things."
The love for Mario Kart has spread to others in the Braves' clubhouse. Pitcher Sam Freeman doesn't play the game much, but as he prepared to pitch the seventh inning once the game resumed, he kept himself calm by watching the competition unfold.
"We play during rain delays, before games and it is like a unique team-bonding experience".
It's not surprising, really - you can't go wrong with a bit of Mario Kart.
[source m.braves.mlb.com]
Comments (20)
My twitter feed is full of people who I never expected to like nintendo but have bought the switch with Zelda and Mario Kart. Always a nice suprise to see a non gamer enjoy good games
I guess Nintendo's marketing to the 20 somethings has paid off so far.
The Switch needs all these stories it can get. The more people talk the more curious others will get!
Nintendo Switch needs a Cartoonish Baseball games like Little League series on Wii, with full customizations from players appearance, players' name, location, time signal, Cards, Power meter, etc.
Was kinda hoping this would have something to do with a Mario Baseball revival or something lol but cool story anyway
Reminds me yesterday how a non-gamer friend came over and said "You have a Nintendo Wii Switch?! Do you have that new game Zelda?". At least it's good that the general public have a better understanding about what it is than the Wii U
Really cool story. It's always fun to hear about things like this. Take that all you kids in school who thought the Genesis was better than Nintendo because of all the sports games. Look at what the pro athletes are playing now! </playground>
@ThomasBW84 How on earth did you become a Cubs fan on that side of the pond? Nobody's a Cubs fan on THIS side of the pond! (Well not until last year anyway.)
I loved reading this! This is the exposure that the Nintendo "Wii" Switch needs. 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
@rk3388 So people must think that Nintendo Wii is the company name? That's funny.
"Nintendo Wii Switch"
Hey, it's a step up from the Wii U. They at least got the Switch part right whereas the Wii U... I mean, everyone just thought it was the Wii with a touchscreen accessory. I couldn't tell you how many times I had to explain to my friends what a "Wii U" was in college.
This is cool! Next time I come to the states I hope I can get to an MLB game
Sam Freeman. I haven't heard about him in a long time.
It might not have been a home run, but calling the Wii U anything but a Wii U would have seen at least some improvement in sales.
Nice to hear these stories
The Cubbies..........oh come on, not the Cubbies........only because when I was little their stupid baseball games would be on instead of cartoons in the afternoon.
I still kinda hold a grudge against them......plus as a Detroit fan we hate all things Chicago......and Ohio.......we hate a lot
Famous people playing a game is GREAT for the company. Happened a lot in the Wii days, too.
I know a few guys on the Winnipeg jets hockey team in the nhl and they are all upgrading their 3ds and vita's to switches. They spend a lot of time on planes and buses so I'm sure they have some great fun between hockey games.
The cubs are the worst team in baseball history. Go CARDINALS!!!
@Anti-Matter MLB Power Pros would be fantastic
that's good ol' days
Immediately lost all respect for the writer as soon as he proclaimed himself a Cubs fan. Disgusting. True Fact: The Cubs winning the 2016 World Series directly lead to the election of the largest piece of garbage to ever exist.
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