Major League Baseball is looking to market the game to young black kids and the NCAA would like more viewers in general, but both could benefit from a healthy dose of Jameis Winston.

The Florida State Seminoles' baseball team is 6-0 and ranked second in the nation, but Winston's appearance in a meaningless exhibition game instantly became headline news. As a black college student playing two sports, Winston represents the type of baseball player both the MLB and NCAA could market to fulfill their goals.

USA Today reported that not only did the crowd at George Steinbrenner Field come alive when Winston entered the game, but players in the New York Yankees' dugout stood on the top step to watch his at-bat.

Winston is the youngest college football player to ever win the Heisman Trophy and only the second freshman to ever do so. The young quarterback also led the Seminoles to an undefeated season and a BCS National Championship title, but called baseball a passion of his and even said he would stay in college longer to continue playing.

"I have more success in football," Winston told USA Today, "but baseball is a passion of mine. I love playing both sports. And I want to do both as long as I can."

The reason he wears no. 44 in baseball is in honor of one of the greatest baseball players ever, fellow Alabama native Hank Aaron. Winston met both Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada before the game, but he also called Ken Griffey Jr. one of his favorite players growing up.

"It was an honor, surreal," Winston said of meeting Jeter. "Probably better than winning the national championship."

Like Aaron and Griffey, Winston is an outfielder. However, he is primarily the Seminoles closing pitcher and he can throw a fastball in the mid-90s. Although he was named to Baseball America's third-team as a utility player, Winston likely needs to refine either his hitting or pitching ability, but not both, to make his MLB dreams come true.

In one meaningless spring training game, Winston's appearance did what Jeter's own Turn 2 Foundation or MLB's RBI program has not. Winston naturally marketa the game of baseball to potential viewers for the collegiate game and for young black athletes aspiring to be professional ballplayers.

"It's super cool to see what he's doing," New York Yankees ace CC Sabathia told USA Today. "I'd love to get an autograph from him some day, maybe a football too."

Both Sabathia and Detroit Tigers' outfield Torii Hunter are a part of a decreasing population of black major leaguers.

"To see a Heisman Trophy winner loving baseball like this," said Hunter, "it makes us all feel good."

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