The Oakland Ballers, an independent professional baseball team, are transforming an April Fools' Day prank into a real-life event, hosting a cannabis-themed night on July 31. Initially, the team posted an alternative uniform on Instagram, featuring a lime green and purple design with the name "Blazers" and a marijuana leaf patch. The caption playfully asked fans if they should "really do this."
Responding to overwhelming fan demand, the team will indeed adopt the moniker "Oaksterdam Blazers" for one game at Raimondi Park. The event is a collaboration with Oaksterdam University, a local institution focused on cannabis education. This game marks a significant moment in professional baseball, as the Ballers will be the first professional team to partner with and celebrate the legal cannabis industry during a live game. The team's website highlighted this as a historic first.
The day's festivities will begin at 10 a.m. with the "Emerald Farms Tour Bus," offering a dispensary and lounge crawl featuring Oakland-certified cannabis equity businesses. This experience aims to spotlight entrepreneurs, advocates, and community leaders who have been instrumental in developing Oakland's legal cannabis industry.
While on-field activations are restricted to attendees aged 21 and older, the team emphasized that the overall environment will be inclusive for all ages. Oakland Ballers CEO Paul Freedman acknowledged the unexpected turn of events, stating that what began as a joke evolved into a public demand. "At a certain point, we had two choices: disappoint thousands of fans or create a cannabis-themed baseball identity," Freedman said. He added that the partnership with Oaksterdam University facilitated the decision, viewing the "Oakland Blazers" as a celebration of Oakland's creativity and culture. Merchandise sales from the alternative uniform will support The ONE and Oaksterdam's efforts in expanding education and opportunities within the community.