Alternative title: “In Which I Rename My BALLZ.”
About that stuffed basketball pictured above, and in the new Pioneer Post Pulse masthead image… a bit of backstory is needed, for readers who aren’t familiar with Kyle Whelliston (primer here) and the official mascot of his Mid-Majority blog, Bally B. Basketball.
Bally, you see, has been Kyle’s faithful companion on the road for years, and has visited countless arenas, and mid-major basketball games, all around the country. He’s been featured in many cartoons, and he has his own book. And of course, he’s on Twitter. Bally is absolutely beloved among Kyle’s fans. He’s an Internet celebrity!
In the beginning, there was Bally — just one, the original, one Bally to boing them all. But then, by popular demand, Kyle made more Ballys, and started giving them away as prizes for blog contests… and then later, selling them as fundraisers. In all, 100 Ballys were created, including #100, a Giant Bally, who now lives in Merry Old England, where he collects from the public dole and worsens the U.K.’s slide into debt-laden oblivion. (Okay, I made that last part up.) Most Ballys live in the United States, though, and have been to basketball games featuring “Other 25” sub-Red Line teams from sea to shining sea. Last year, six Ballys gathered at the WAC Tournament! And of course, many Ballys have also been to other locales, like Chuck Norris’s star on the walk of fame, as seen at right. (Photo courtesy the queen of subtle.) Bally owners love their Ballys.
