As we Red Sox fans continue to grow older and mature through our years, we’re often worried about our children and future generations. Will Red Sox nation slowly become extinct? Replaced by none other then loud rap music, hypnotizing video games, and the ever-so-time-consuming MySpace? How can we, as responsible fans and loyalists to the Red Sox continue to spread our love and ensure the survival of Red Sox Nation?

Well it seems that the people over at Team Baby Entertainment think they’ve come up with a solution. They’ve come out with Red Sox Baby, a 30 minute video geared toward children that educate them on the history of the Red Sox, and prepare them for future fan obsession. You can consider it something along the lines of … educational and beneficial brain-washing. Hey, anything is better then seeing grown adult men jump around in furry alien or dinosaur suits (Teletubbies?). At least I know when my kid becomes of age, he’ll be able to plop down with his old man and have a beer while watching the Red Sox rip a new one into the New York Yankees.

One of Team Baby’s marketing executives contacted Soxnest and asked that we review their DVD. We gladly obliged, and I took on the pleasurable task of doing so. I received the DVD a few days after it was officially released. I’ll admit that I was unfamiliar with Team Baby, so when I saw the cover, I was a bit perplexed. A baby holding a bat? “Okay?” I thought, nice little play on words. But when I started playing it on my entertainment system (or at least my lousy excuse for one), I knew immediately that it was intended for children. Unfortunately, I have no little mini-mes running around at the moment, so I had to borrow my little 3 year-old cousin.

I sat through the 30 minute video with him, and I must say, that although it was intended for children, it was very informative and entertaining. It’s narrated by Ben Affleck, one of the most hardcore Boston Red Sox actors today. The opening minutes feature children playing baseball (or something like it) with various liscensed clips from Red Sox games. There’s a cute little jingle that got my cousin’s attention. My cousin (Johnny) was a little bored at first. The very first chapter, or “inning” as Team Baby has called them, reviews the basics of Baseball, including what a stadium was, and where the Red Sox played, something Johnny seemed to be already very familiar with (imagine growing up in a familiy full of baseball fans). But as the video began to pick up, so did Johnny’s enthusiasm.

The DVD’s 9 Innings (chapters) cover various things about the Red Sox and baseball. It includes various highlights from over the years. By 4th inning, the TV had Johnny’s full attention. I’m not sure if he was taking any of it in and registering it, but at least I had a baby sitter for the next half hour. Best of all, he was quietly enjoying the movie, and would interact with the other children on screen (mimicking what they did, and answering when asked a question).

At the end of the movie, I asked Johnny some basic questions. Who was the DVD about? He gave me a cute answer and replied, “Go team baby!” since that was the main jingle throughout the song. I corrected him, but was still impressed that he was able to take anything from it. I then asked him where the Red Sox played ball at, and he answered, “Fay-way” - or, Fenway for those of you who aren’t yet educated in baby talk. I then drew a diagram with a baseball field and asked him where the infield and outfield was. And he just gave me a blank stare. Eh, I had to try didn’t I?

About 15 minutes after I had stopped the DVD, Johnny started to hit a few of his play balls with a toy sword. Seems like the DVD gave him baseball fever. I’m A-OK with that. It’s been a few days since I’ve seen the DVD with him now, but in the few days that have already elasped, I’ve gotten him a toddler’s baseball set. My aunt and uncle say he’s been outside with it quite a few times already.

Overall - Team Baby has a great idea here. The DVD is unique and covers everything a child needs to know about the Red Sox. Personally, I didn’t have the patience for it - but it does beat 30 minutes of sitting through Teletubbies. I’d recommend any parent or fan out there who has a small child or young relatives to pick this up. It’s relatively inexpensive at $19.99 and with the explosive season we’re having right now, I’d say it’s a great buy.

Red Sox Baby is available at your local Toys R’ Us, Babies R’ Us, MLB.com, TeamBabyEntertainment.com, other regional fan shops, and in our store.

If you get it, let me know what you think of it.

Best regards,
Bryan