On this exclusive episode of the Black Baseball Mixtape podcast, Cheats is joined by the inaugural Manager of the Oakland Ballers, Micah Franklin, and three Black players who participated in the 2024 Ballers season: Austin Davis (52 games), Trevor Halsema (52 games), and Payton Harden (82 games).

Coach Franklin and the players speak for the first time about their experience with the start-up Pioneer League team, created after the significant announcement that the A's were leaving Oakland after the 2024 season.

The Ballers have a narrative of community-first. They have created interactive fan engagement and expensive marketing to highlight their innovation. The Ballers' opening-day roster was filled with players of color and a Black Manager in Franklin. However, as the season progressed, Franklin was dismissed despite a 29-25 record, and several Black players left the team for various reasons. Both Davis and Halsema asked to be either released or traded despite both batting over 300.

There were housing concerns, safety concerns, and physical health concerns. There was a growing narrative that the Ballers' environment was challenging to minority players and their approach to the game.

This podcast allows you to hear Coach Franklin's perspective and the perspective of the players who experienced the season.

I hope this podcast educates and leads to overall improvement for those involved.

The Black Baseball Mixtape partners with Steelo Sports, the Players Alliance, Numbers Game Scorecards, Herencia 21, and Rebellion Harvest.