Key Takeaways
- Big League Chew names five brand ambassadors for 2026, spanning youth baseball, professional softball, women’s baseball, and entertainment
- Mo’ne Davis, the first girl to win and pitch a shutout in the Little League World Series, headlines the class
- Jocelyn Alo, the NCAA Division I all-time career home run leader, became the first softball player to earn a roster spot with the Savannah Bananas
- Three of the five ambassadors have direct ties to the Savannah Bananas organization
- The brand has sold over one billion pouches worldwide since launching in 1980
A Roster That Reflects Where the Game Is Going
Big League Chew announced its 2026 Big League Crew on March 18, bringing together five ambassadors who collectively touch youth baseball, women’s professional baseball, elite softball, and the entertainment side of the sport. The group includes Mo’ne Davis, Savannah Bananas umpire Vincent Chapman, MLB Play Ball Ambassador Coach Ballgame, professional softball player Jocelyn Alo, and women’s baseball player and coach Val Perez.
“Every member of our 2026 Big League Crew embodies the joy, grit, and playful spirit of the game,” said Brian Bailey, CEO of Big League Chew.
The selections reflect where youth and amateur sports culture is increasingly focused: crossover appeal, women’s athletics, and fan experience.
Mo’ne Davis and the Women’s Baseball Pipeline
Davis first became a national figure in 2014 at age 13 when she became the first girl to win and pitch a shutout at the Little League World Series, leading Philadelphia’s Taney Dragons. She appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated that same year. After graduating from Hampton University in 2023, where she played softball, Davis pursued broadcasting with ESPN’s Little League coverage and joined the Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) in 2025.
Her trajectory from Little League standout to professional women’s baseball player maps a pathway that didn’t exist a decade ago. For youth sports operators, her presence on the ambassador roster ties one of the most recognized names in youth athletics directly to a growing segment of women’s professional sports.
Savannah Bananas Connections Run Deep
Three of the five ambassadors have ties to the Savannah Bananas organization. Vincent Chapman serves as the team’s official umpire, known for his signature dance moves and fan engagement style. Val Perez is Head Coach of Banana Ball’s Firefighters and a member of the US Women’s National Baseball Team. Jocelyn Alo became the first softball player to earn a spot on the Bananas roster.
The concentration of Bananas-affiliated talent in the lineup underscores how central the organization has become to sports entertainment culture. For a brand built on fun and nostalgia, the alignment is straightforward.
Alo and Coach Ballgame Anchor the Youth and Softball Angles
Alo, a native of Hauula, Hawaii, holds the NCAA Division I all-time career home run record. She is a two-time NCAA D1 Softball National Champion, the 2022 WCWS Most Outstanding Player, and currently competes for The Bandits in the AUSL league and Team USA. In 2023, Forbes named her to its 30 Under 30 list and Sports Illustrated recognized her as Female Athlete of the Year.
Coach Ballgame, whose real name is James Lowe, has spent two decades as MLB’s Play Ball Ambassador, coaching hundreds of thousands of kids globally. His grassroots presence in youth baseball gives the ambassador class a direct connection to the participation side of the sport.
What It Means for the Youth Sports Brand Landscape
Big League Chew’s ambassador strategy leans heavily on personalities who bridge professional sports and youth culture. The brand, which launched in 1980 and has sold over one billion pouches, continues to expand beyond gum into licensed apparel, snacks, and collectibles. By attaching its identity to athletes and figures who resonate across age groups and gender lines, the company is positioning its licensing and retail business around cultural relevance rather than a single sport or demographic.
For youth sports brands evaluating ambassador and influencer strategies, the mix here is worth studying: proven youth appeal, women’s sports momentum, and entertainment crossover, all in one class.
Source: Big League Chew Press Release, March 18, 2026
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