UPDATE—A Lutherville business made its nationally televised debut this weekend. Did you watch? What did you think? Tell us in the comments section below.
ORIGINAL—The owners and employees from Robbie's 1st Base are currently in New York, hours away from the premiere of Ball Boys on ABC.
The show has been compared to a sports-specific Pawn Stars-type reality show. Instead of expert historians verifying the authenticity of wares, professional athletes are flown in to approve their own signatures.
Patch has been writing about Robbie 1st Base for weeks, since January.
I checked in with Robbie Davis Sr. and Robbie Davis Jr. about where they'd like to see Peyton Manning end up (VIDEO). I also questioned their NCAA tournament brackets (VIDEO). Senior and Junior both have one correct team going to the "Final Four."
I even talked Orioles' Hall of Famer Al Bumbry one day, while he was casually hanging out a Robbie's. He was kind enough to talk to me about the O's prospect of a winning season (VIDEO).
This week, media outlets have picked up on Robbie's 1st Base and their Saturday show premier.
Roundup:
The Baltimore Sun's David Zurawick examines the connection between Ball Boys and Pawn Stars, writing, "That's not a bad premise. Think of it as a jock lover's version of 'History Detectives.'"
The Washington Post's Dave Sheinin traveled to Lutherville to write a full feature on the history of Robbie's 1st Base and how they scored (pun intended) a reality show deal.
Neil Genzlinger, of The New York Times, leads his piece about Ball Boys with a succinct "Same formula, much better result."
Television critic Robert Lloyd of The L.A. Times, was not as impressed.
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Ball Boys premiers today at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on ABC. Will you be watching? Tell us in the comments section below.
Bart
5:20 pm on Saturday, March 24, 2012
I watched the show. Home grown, hometown show. It was a hoot to see the neighborhood on TV. A bunch of real, real good guys.
Nicole
7:58 am on Monday, March 26, 2012
I watched it also.
M. Sullivan
8:41 am on Monday, March 26, 2012
Funny, in the beginning of the show they say "From the heart of Baltimore, Robbie's First Base". What's wrong with Lutherville? Great show otherwise.
Lorie
12:15 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012
Great show. Never knew they has so much in that little store.
Catie
7:08 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
I love the show!!! My mother used to work with Robbie Sr. many years ago. She says he's a great guy. My husband and 14 year old son love the show too. We DVR'd most of the episodes. I hope they bring Ball Boys back for another season!!!