Cosmic Baseball came to Akron and was a huge hit for three sold-out shows
Article excerpt
What started out as 2,300 fans turned into 750,000 fans as Cosmic Baseball takes over the nation. Akron was the latest stop. It didn't disappoint.
In 2023, a few fans ran through Shepherd Stadium in Colonial Heights, Virginia, at a Coastal Plains League game with glow sticks.
It was a packed house of 2,300 fans, but Chris Martin's vision took flight that summer day.
Fast forward to 2026 and neon baseball under UV lights will glow in front of 750,000 by mid-September.
It's called Cosmic Baseball, and it's a smash hit.
"Our fans were running around with the glow up sticks, having some fun," said Martin, who owns Cosmic Baseball. "But you look around and the white lights are on, so how much fun can you have?
"It's not really glowing. It's not doing what it's supposed to do. What if we install black light and put everyone in neon reactive apparel? They can now become their own light source. They can react to the black light and glow, scream, yell and do all the fun stuff."
How Cosmic Baseball has evolved since 2023
Martin put 18 UV lights in Shepherd Stadium that year and sold out the park the rest of the way.
That's when the black light bulb clicked.
Martin went national last summer on a seven-city tour that included stops in Durham, N.C., Nashville, Tenn., Sugar Land, Texas, Columbus, Toledo and Indianapolis, Ind., to the delight of 150,000 fans.
This season, Akron is part of a six-month, 30-city tour that began in March called the Cosmic Takeover Tour.
The UV lights have grown with those in attendance. Now, 100 black lights are installed all around the stadium before a pitch is even thrown.
Add lasers and confetti and the 22-person team involved in just the setup stays busy.
By the time all things Cosmic Baseball are brought to the field, four semis and a flat bed are in town.
Why is Cosmic Baseball such a hit?
"It's hard not to get into, right?" Cincinnati native and Chili Peppers first baseman Max Fries said. "Everyone loves the game of baseball, it's America's pastime. To be able to play it at this stage in front of all these fans in something as crazy as Cosmic, it's just a blessing to do."
The field umpire in an orange hat dressed up like Santa Claus aside, Cosmic Baseball is pure insanity.
Music is pumped in constantly and the fans sing along.
The first half of the game is played in daylight. After that, the white lights go out and, after a half-hour break, it's UV baseball the rest of the way.
There is no bunting and a pitcher can't walk a batter. If he throws four balls, the batter throws the ball up to himself and puts the ball in play. There is a mini home run derby after predetermined innings and every long ball counts toward the team's final score.
Coaches can wave a flag to challenge a call and the fans in attendance vote to overturn it or keep the play as it stands. In the day portion, it's not unheard of to see batters run the bases in reverse. In Akron, it was the second inning.
During specific innings, any ball hit into fair or foul territory remains live.
In every inning, the fans had a blast.
What do the fans think of Cosmic Baseball?
Chris Kallai has been to plenty of RubberDucks games. He's been to almost as many Cleveland Guardians games.
Ask the Wadsworth sophomore what he likes best, and it'll be Cosmic Baseball every time.
"It's just the spirit it brings," he said. "I've been here since I was young, so being here just brings back great memories.
"This is so much more fun. I've spent the entire night smiling. It beats just sitting there watching. It keeps you on your toes and it's so much fun to watch."
Nicolle Dingey came to the park in a group of six that included her children.
The New Franklin resident donned neon glasses and was smiling from ear to ear as she walked through the concourse at what many said was "the best game ever."
"Nothing compares to this," she said. "It's amazing. I've never seen anythinglike this. Everybody is entertained. There's never a dull moment. It's just insane. There's no words that can explain how crazy it is."
By the way, if you're wanting more, Cosmic Hockey has been announced for 2027.
Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@usatodayco.com and follow him on X at @bbournival
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cosmic Baseball came to Akron and was a huge hit for three sold-out shows