To say there’s a divide between sports and video games is a bit of an understatement. True, athletes play video games, and there are plenty of video games who play sports titles, but there has always been a divide between the two. However, in a very unique convergence, an eSports player from the Overwatch League is set to throw the first pitch at an upcoming New York Mets baseball game. This is a literal first for an eSports player, and one that might set a trend depending on how it goes.
Now, if you’re wondering who and how this is happening, there is a logical explanation for all of this. The player in question is Jong-yeol ‘Saebyeolbe’ Park, who is a member of the New York Excelsior, the NY team in the Overwatch League. Interestingly enough, the Excelsior AND the New York Mets are owned by the same person, or should I say, people. The Wilpon family. The entire Excelsior team will be at the game for a special meet-and-greet, and then Park will throw out the first pitch.
This is actually a really cool thing, and something that should be praised and encouraged for other teams and members of the Overwatch League. Granted, not every team owner also opens a baseball team, but hey, you never know. And who says this has to be limited to Major League Baseball? Maybe a basketball team, or a hockey team, tennis! We’re just saying.
Blizzard will no doubt be happy about this, as much of their recent news (outside of the League battles itself, of course) hasn’t been positive. Many of their players have been suspended or fined recently due to acts that violate their Code Of Conduct policies. So seeing one of their teams in a very positive spotlight must be very gratifying for them.
