Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dad-son sports shop offers community -- and some language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
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?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 24, 2012
- Cast : Rob Reier
- Network : ABC
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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