Baseball
Whistle Sports & King of JUCO launch "Ladder Up", a new competition series testing baseball talent across every level
Team Whistle, the social-first sports media company under DAZN, today announced the premiere of Ladder Up, an original competition series starring baseball creator King of JUCO, one of the fastest-growing personalities in baseball media.
Premiering on the Whistle YouTube channel, Ladder Up follows King of JUCO as he attempts the impossible: defeating progressively tougher baseball and softball competitors at every level of the game. Beginning with youth athletes before advancing through wiffle ball specialists, elite softball players, college stars and ultimately professional pitchers, every victory moves him one rung higher on the ladder. One loss ends the run.
Designed for today's YouTube audience, Ladder Up combines creator-first storytelling, authentic competition and high-energy sports entertainment into a binge-worthy format built for baseball fans of every generation.
"Baseball is the greatest game in the world because everyone believes they'd have a chance. Ladder Up finally gives us the chance to find out," said King of JUCO.
"This isn't about being the best player on the field—it's about respecting every level of the game. Whether you're eight years old playing your first season or you've made it to the pros, every competitor has earned their spot. I can't wait to see just how far I can climb."
The series expands Team Whistle's growing slate of creator-led premium originals, continuing the company's focus on authentic sports storytelling that brings audiences closer to athletes, creators and competition beyond traditional broadcasts. Team Whistle's original programming reaches millions of fans across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook through social-first formats built specifically for digital audiences.
"The best YouTube formats start with a simple question audiences immediately want answered," said Dashiell Desloovere, VP of Content Strategy & Programming at Team Whistle.
"'Can King of JUCO beat every level of baseball?' is exactly that kind of idea. Ladder Up mixes real competition, creator personalities, and increasing stakes into a format that's easy to understand and is built for how sports fans discover and share content today."
Each episode raises the difficulty while introducing fans to standout athletes from across the baseball and softball ecosystem, celebrating the sport's diversity while showcasing personalities audiences may not otherwise discover.
