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Pokemon Go: Athletes, sports teams join the search for Pikachu and friends

The recently released Pokemon Go app is so popular, even athletes and sports teams are jumping on the trend. The game is even being played in pro sport stadiums, which are opening their doors to Pokemon trainers in order to get in on the craze.

'Gotta catch 'em all' fever hits the sports world

Tanya Casole-Gouveia · CBC Sports ·
Durham Bulls mascot, Wool E. Bull, trying to 'catch 'em all' during their Pokemon Go event at Durham Bulls Athletic Park Field. (@DurhamBulls)

Pokemon, the beloved cartoon and video game franchise, is having a resurgence with the release of its hugely popular augmented reality app Pokemon Go. It's popularity is so broad, the "pocket monsters" have even crossed into the sports world.

Pokemon Go gives users the ability to catch the elusive creatures in the real world using just their smart phone.

Canadian basketball player Andrew Nicholson is in on the craze, tweeting about his sighting when heading to the gym...a real gym, not the ones that can be found in the game (we assume).

Green Bay Packers player Mike Daniels is a fan of the game, even wanting to make his avatar more true to life. 

And at least one Pokemon is a fan of Daniels' team judging by the green and gold colours worn by Caterpie. 

Not everyone is ready to jump on the 'Pokewagon' though.

Eugenie Bouchard, doesn't seem too enthralled by the app, but no word yet if she has actually used it. 

They are 'literally' everywhere

With this new craze the Pokemon are showing up in the oddest of places.

Like, court side at a summer league NBA game.

Or, outside of Chicago Bears HQ. 

Sports Fields are huge expanses of space, ie. prime locations for Pokemon to be hiding. 

Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia is using Pokemon Go to promote their site tours.  

And The Durham Bulls, triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, even hosted a Pokemon Go event so trainers could come and walk the field in search of the elusive Pikachu. 

They even raised some money for charity in the process. No word yet on if the home of the Toronto Blue Jays, Rogers Centre, will be doing something similar. 

Perhaps when Pokemon Go is finally 'officially' released in Canada.

Different ways to augment reality

Pokemon not for you? Well, you can do what Olympian Eric Woelfle did and choose another game to augment your reality with. His choice? Jenga crossed with household chores. 

Where's the oddest place you have found a Pokemon? Let us know via @cbcsports.

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