The Kudzu Effect: How Grassroots Baseball is Taking Over North Carolina PT1.

Send us Fan MailSandlot 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 DurhamWant 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.Support the showMake sure to follow the Dad Hat Chronicles: https://linktr.ee/TheDadHatChronicles