Going back to the ballgame: memories of previous baseball experiences

ABSTRACT

Research Question: The purpose of this study was to explore sport fans’ memories of previous experiences, ascertaining what fans recalled and the functions memories served.

Research Methods: A qualitative research method was employed, with 18 participants participating in semi-structured interviews.

Results and Findings: Results exhibited the impact of the sensory experiences, social interaction, identity, and other unique characteristics in contributing to memory, with memories serving positive social, emotional, and psychological benefits.

Implications: The findings exhibit event characteristics that contribute to fans’ memory of events, and the impact of recalling these experiences, which yield positive benefits to fans and also may positively impact fans’ team-related behavior.

Research Contribution: Understanding the factors that fans later recall of event experiences and the resulting positive benefits can assist both event management decisions as well as post-event communication efforts.

KEYWORDS:

• Sport experience
• memory
• nostalgia
• identity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).