The Chicago Cubs announced the upcoming launch of a TikTok romantic comedy series titled "Nine Innings to Love," set to debut on September 4. The series, produced by Cubs Productions, aims to engage younger audiences, particularly Gen Z and millennials, through a fictional love story unfolding during a baseball game at Wrigley Field.

The narrative follows two young Cubs fans who develop a romance while sitting in the Budweiser Bleachers over the course of a nine-inning game. The story will be told across 17 episodes, combining elements of baseball culture and popular social media trends like BookTok to create an experience unique to the Wrigley Field setting.

“We’ve blended a game of baseball with BookTok fandom and the vibes of a classic rom-com to craft a story that could only unfold in the Budweiser Bleachers at Wrigley Field,” said Cubs executive vice president of marketing and communications Jen Martindale.

While the storyline centers on a romantic encounter in the bleachers, the Cubs indicated that any similarity to the real-life meeting of Chairman Tom Ricketts and his wife, Cece, in the same location is coincidental.

The series announcement coincided with the start of a four-game series between the Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. However, the matchup was overshadowed, as the Brewers held an eight-game lead in the National League Central Division with roughly a month remaining in the regular season. By the time the series is released, the Cubs and Brewers will have played 10 games against each other, potentially clarifying the status of the playoff race.

While the format differs from traditional films, the Cubs compared the project’s spirit to the 1997 romantic comedy “Fever Pitch,” starring Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore, which explored the intensity of baseball fandom within a love story framework.

The TikTok series represents the Cubs’ ongoing efforts to broaden their reach and connect with younger fans through innovative digital content amid a challenging season.