Ball Boys

Review

Common Sense Media says

Dad-son sports shop offers community -- and some language.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Ball Boys -- a reality show centered on the buying and selling of sports memorabilia -- is pretty mild but does have some iffy language ("hell," "damn,"; occasional curses bleeped, with mouths blurred) and some mildly sexist comments.

  • Positive messages2
    Ball Boys highlights how sports can create communities and bring people together both professionally and socially. The show is male-oriented, with some off-hand sexism.
  • Positive role models2
    Robbie Sr. and Jr. have a close relationship, and they've found a profession involving something they love and seem to be good at.
  • Violence1
    Lots of discussions about knocking out opponents and other sports-related contact.
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
  • Language3
    Words like "hell" and "damn" are audible; occasional curses like "s--t" are bleeped, with mouths blurred.
  • Consumerism2
    The show centers on the store Robbie's 1st Base. Logos for various sports franchises -- including the N.Y. Yankees, the Green Bay packers, and the Cleveland Browns -- are prominently visible. Occasionally other sports memorabilia businesses, like Steiner Sports, are also featured.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Meetings with collectors sometimes take place at bars and restaurants.
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What's the story?

BALL BOYS is a reality series starring Robbie Davis Sr., the lively owner of Robbie's 1st Base, a sports collectible and memorabilia shop in Maryland. With the help of his son Robbie Jr., and his staff, Rob "Shaggy" Reier and "Sweet" Lou Brown, Robbie Sr. buys and sells items like vintage baseball score cards and original college bowl football rings. When he's not authenticating values or haggling over prices, he and his team spend their time swapping sports trivia and history with clients. Visits from sports legends like Jim Brown and Pete Rose add to the fun.

Is it any good?

 

Ball Boys provides a look into the community that has been created within Robbie's 1st Base, which acts as a local haunt for sports fans to bond and share their personal stories. It also offers lots of information about the authentication process, as well as the techniques used to purchase and sell valuable sports collectibles.

It's fun, but like most unscripted shows, Ball Boys has its share of semi-rehearsed moments. It probably won't appeal to non-sports fans, either. But those who like this sort of thing will appreciate the athletic history offered here and no doubt will find the endless sports-related banter entertaining.

Explore, discuss, enjoy

  • Families can talk about the different ways that people emotionally connect with sports and sports teams. Do you think these connections have to do with the games themselves or the activities and relationships built around them?

  • What's the relationship between sports and consumerism? What's the difference between memorabilia that has financial value vs. items that only have sentimental value? Who decides?

  • What kinds of messages do athletes' appearances on reality shows or advertisements send? Parents: How can you help your kids sort out these messages?

This review of Ball Boys was written by
Parent
March 28, 2012
AGE
10
 
Great Title
its awesome.....
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This review of Ball Boys was written by
Topics:sports and martial arts
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:ABC
Cast:Rob Reier
Genre:Reality TV
This review of Ball Boys was written by
 
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