Hoping to discover the ultimate baseball fan, MLB Network created a reality competition in which contestants, known as Cave Dwellers, attempt to watch every baseball game in a season and document their experiences. Cave Dwellers meet celebrities and compete against each other in various tasks to avoid being eliminated from the show.
While a stereotypical statistician may be the classic image of a baseball fan, comedic contestants can create a more entertaining atmosphere on the show. When Eitan Levine, a member of People’s Improv Theater and a stand-up comic, heard about MLB Fan Cave, he decided to apply to become a Cave Dweller.
A successful local comedian, Eitan has experience in the spotlight and the ability to entertain large crowds. His interest in MLB Fan Cave, however, stems from his primary identity as a devoted Mets fan. In fact, Eitan even attributes much of his humor to being a Mets fan, joking that had he been a Yankees fan, his childhood would have been much easier and would not have necessitated humor.
In addition to being a baseball fan, Eitan has notable experience as a softball player, including founding and heading a successful team in a Jersey summer softball league. This particular league was organized for local day camp counselors to compete against each other. While Eitan was not a camp counselor that summer, he did not want to pass up the opportunity to play softball. Hence, Eitan decided to fabricate a camp, which he called “Congregation Israel Camp.” Despite the camp’s invention, Eitan’s off-field resourcefulness and on-field skill resulted in a “Congregation Israel Camp” team victory.
While Eitan appreciates all sports, he particularly enjoys baseball because a single play, hit, or error can have game-determining implications; the potential for every moment of baseball to hold such large consequences makes baseball an exceptionally exciting game.
Furthermore, the ability to transform a game with a single pitch, generates a game that is not simply statistic based but also dependent on players’ motivations and heart. David Wright, Eitan’s favorite player, for example, captures Eitan’s respect through his pure love of playing baseball. “Wright is a very good leader and just goes out and does it,” Eitan observes. Wright does not wish to be a celebrity; he plays with passion for the game and a feeling of responsibility to fans and teammates.
When asked what he will bring to the MLB Cave, Eitan jokingly responds, “a pillow”. Eitan views himself as a comedian who is Jewish, emphasizing that his perspective on baseball will not be defined by his Jewish lifestyle. Nevertheless, he recognizes that attending Yeshiva University and living in New York City granted him the opportunity to make his mark in the comedy club and improv world.
Because of his enthusiasm for baseball and experience in the spotlight, Eitan’s fans are hopeful that he will be accepted onto MLB Fan Cave and become the newest Jewish reality show participant. Eitan’s fans believe that he will prove to be a successful – and entertaining – participant on the show.
Standing up to leave, Eitan jests, “Tell students to vote for me on my MLB Fan Cave page – http://mlbfancave.mlb.com/fancave/vote.jsp?fliqzid=a9a27456fc8146d3881a44af1972a375 – or, at the very least, to send me a message on my YUConnects account.” While the Observer will provide monthly updates on Eitan’s progress, be sure to follow Eitan’s comedic adventures in local comedy clubs and, hopefully, on MLB Network.