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The grassroots Sandlot baseball movement has exploded across North Carolina, creating a vibrant community with custom jerseys, creative team names, and cross-country connections. Mike from the Carolina Kudzu shares how these adult recreational teams have created authentic baseball experiences complete with DJs spinning records during games, custom ice cream helmets, and even live organ music.

• Carolina now has numerous Sandlot teams in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and beyond
• Team names like Kudzu, Reapers, and Durham Fruits reflect creativity and local culture
• Teams travel across the country to play other Sandlot communities in San Diego, Austin, and more
• The Revival event showcased mascot races, custom merchandise, and family-friendly activities
• Social media has fueled growth by sharing team logos, game highlights, and the welcoming atmosphere
• Teams emphasize inclusivity with players of all skill levels welcome to participate
• Cross-team friendships and community building extend beyond the baseball diamond
• Custom team merchandise, especially hats, have become coveted collectibles

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Sandlot baseball is experiencing explosive growth across North Carolina with a collective of nine teams creating a welcoming environment for players of all skill levels. Mike Ghilardi, a team captain for the Carolina Kudzu, shares how this accessible, pressure-free approach to baseball focuses on community and joy rather than competition and statistics.

• The Carolina Kudzu formed in 2022 as part of the "Sandlot Revival" event, with their team name referencing the invasive plant species introduced to North America in 1876
• Sandlot baseball welcomes everyone regardless of experience level - teams will loan equipment to newcomers and help teach the game basics
• The movement has roots in Austin, Texas, where they've built dedicated Sandlot fields with bars, live music, and old-timey scoreboards
• The annual Sandlot Revival at the historic Durham Athletic Park (where "Bull Durham" was filmed) has grown from 6 to 13 teams in four years
• Teams keep score during games but don't track records, championships, or statistics - "if you're taking it too seriously, you're missing the point"
• Open pickup games happen most weekends across the Triangle area, with information posted regularly on social media
• The Sandlot collective raises money for local charities including the Long Ball program serving underserved teenage boys and the LGBTQ Center of Durham

Want to experience Sandlot baseball yourself? Follow @carolina_kudzu and other local teams on social media to find information about upcoming open pickup games happening every weekend across the Triangle area.

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Baseball has been a lifelong love for Donnie Wise and shaped how he views the world, from the field to everyday life.

• Started playing baseball at age 5 and it became "the one constant" through childhood, high school, and adulthood
• Baseball teaches valuable life skills like patience, reading people, and strategic thinking
• The sport uniquely allows for socializing and conversation while still following the game
• Memorable experiences include coaching Little League, seeing Chipper Jones' career-delaying injury, and watching Michael Jordan play baseball
• Baseball superstitions and traditions remain important to fans, from hat selection to uniform preferences
• The analytics-heavy approach to modern baseball takes away from the gut feel and strategy that makes the game special
• Despite changes to speed up the game, baseball remains America's pastime - "synonymous with apple pie"

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