Ever wanted a behind-the-scenes look at Eagles baseball? Freshman player Kaden Dugle thought we needed it.
The Asbury Baseball Network, a vlog-style channel on YouTube documenting the team’s games this season, is intended to keep the Asbury community updated on whether the Eagles are at home or on the road. Dugle, the Asbury Baseball Network’s creator, was inspired after watching a similar channel run by the Ole Miss baseball team several years ago.
“One night, me and my roommate Jackson Cole were just sitting in our room. It was the night before we left for our game in Alabama,” said Dugle. “We thought it’d be cool to start a vlog for our baseball team. At first it was just for that weekend to see how it went. I started a Snapchat story and vlogged everything — the trip, the games, everything — and a lot of people liked it and it just kept getting bigger. And now we have a YouTube channel for it.”
The channel’s vlogs, which run about six to seven minutes long, document the entire series that the team plays each week, including interview-style segments with key players, funny behind-the-scenes looks at the team on and off the field and scoring updates.
“This is one of the better seasons for Asbury baseball,” said freshman and co-creator Jackson Cole, “so it gives everyone a chance to just see all the personalities on the team while capturing our success, and it shows how much fun we all have together.”
The Asbury Baseball Network started off small, with only a few players included in the vlogs. However, the channel has grown and the vlogs have become something that all the teammates want to participate in.
“It’s cool how it started out just like four or five guys, but now it’s expanded to the whole team. Coach [Manny Cervantes] found out about it and wants in on it, and there’s a lot of funny memories being made. I’ll be glad to look back a couple years from now and see this,” said freshman Jacob Smith.
The videos not only highlight the team’s close knit bond, but they also showcase the team’s funnier side.
“It gives a chance for everyone to speak for themselves. It also broadens the spectrum beyond baseball and gives players the chance to share different parts of their life,” said freshman Caleb Poll.
Due to COVID-19, many games have required limited seating for spectators, making it difficult for friends and family to keep up with the team in real time. The Asbury Baseball Network was designed to help keep the teammates themselves and those watching at home laughing and informed.
“It brings a little bit of energy and more comedy to the team. We can all laugh about it and be creative, which is really fun. It takes a lot of pressure off before the games to be able to laugh and joke around. The interviews are also really funny — just getting the personality from each player. It’s really cool and I think lots of fun memories are being made,” said freshman Holten Handel.
For many graduating seniors, the Asbury Baseball Network provides a space for them to look back on fond memories of their time playing for the Eagles.
“My favorite part about the AU Baseball Network is from a memory standpoint, especially for all the seniors who came back and decided to play for one more year,” said freshman Nathaniel Frank. “It’s super special for them to just remember the year from the YouTube channel. And I think for us too — as we get older it’s going to be a blast to look back and remember this season.”
The Asbury Baseball Network can be found on YouTube and is updated regularly to cover the team’s most recent games.