Image Courtesy of the Detroit Tigers/MLB
Fans can catch the Detroit Tigers face off (win against) the Rays this Wednesday, September 25th, at 6:40 p.m. as MLB hosts one of its final interactive watch parties in the Virtual Ballpark, offering a unique, immersive experience for baseball lovers right from the comfort of anywhere. This digital event allows fans to engage with the game like never before, with live chats, trivia, and interactive features designed to bring them closer to the action as the Tigers play one of their final games of the season.
Last year, Major League Baseball (MLB) collaborated with Improbable, a London-based technology firm specializing in creating and managing virtual spaces, to develop MLB’s virtual ballpark.
The watch party in the virtual ballpark features a three-dimensional representation of the game, powered by MLB’s Gameday 3D product, synced with the live game broadcast.
Fans will have the opportunity to enjoy and become part of the game. Not only will they be able to view the game from unique and previously unattainable angles, but they will also be able to engage in conversations with fellow fans using spatial audio.
Fans will also be able to join in on the fun with a scavenger hunt that spans the entire ballpark, adding an extra layer of excitement to their virtual visit. The new party system allows fans to communicate directly with their friends, and by participating, they can earn points that can be used at the virtual shop to get special digital jerseys.
Image Courtesy of the Detroit Tigers/MLB
Standard local broadcasts on each team’s respective RSN will still be available for fans to watch via cable, satellite, and streaming, including MLB.TV for out-of-market fans. The virtual ballpark utilizes and syncs MLB’s Gameday 3D technologies into the virtual stadium as a way for fans to transport themselves into a fully immersive three-dimensional baseball environment.
MLB launched Gameday 3D during the 2023 season to provide fans with alternate viewing of select games online. The first-of-its-kind immersive animation leverages the industry’s most advanced tracking data and the latest computer vision technology. By utilizing the same Sony Hawk-Eye cameras in each Major League ballpark that provide Statcast data, Gameday 3D incorporates the position and orientation of each player. Then, it generates a 3D re-creation of the game in real-time.
MLB’s virtual ballpark debuted last season as an additional opportunity for baseball fans to immerse themselves in a unique digital baseball experience wherever they may be.
MLB’s new virtual ballpark, a first for a professional sports league, launched and opened to fans with an exclusive online watch party for the 2023 MLB All-Star Celebrity Softball Game presented by Corona.
MLB also streamed a 2023 regular season and Postseason game in the virtual ballpark to provide fans worldwide with alternative viewing options.
Fans worldwide can access the virtual ballpark for free on any internet-connected device at www.mlb.com/virtual-ballpark, simply by logging in with their MLB account.
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