The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced a new way for fans to connect to games for a virtual experience. The club has announced multiple in-game entertainment choices as well as ballpark integrations and has made them available across its digital channels. There are also ways for fans to engage with some of these experiences online, including Pirates staples like the Great Pittsburgh Pierogi Race, Baseball Quiz, and T-Shirt Toss.
These experiences launched yesterday, July 27, which was the day of the Pirates home opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. The team also honored local healthcare workers, first responders, and medical professionals. It did this by playing a special video tribute for frontline workers on the scoreboard, and an Allegheny Health Network employee threw out the first pitch.
“This season is like no other, and no matter how hard we try, PNC Park will not be the same without our fans in attendance cheering our team on,” said Pirates president Travis Williams in a Pittsburgh Pirates press release. “The ballpark experience is such an important part of baseball, and while, for now, we cannot allow fans into PNC Park, we will do everything possible to bring this experience to them at home. We encourage our fans to follow along and join in the fun during this unique season.”
This online experience on Pirates.com, the Ballpark app, as well as the Pirates social channels and in-game on the Pirates broadcast. Some of the experiences include:
-
Chick-fil-A Game Nuggets which features Pirates Player Q&As
-
Mrs. T’s Great Pittsburgh Pierogi Race
-
Baseball Quiz, which is where the contestants might be able to select the Box of Mystery
-
Fast Bucs, a Family Feud-type in-park experience
-
T-Shirt Toss
-
The Hat Shuffle
-
Virtual Seventh Inning Stretch, along with the singing of “Take Me Out to The Ballgame”
-
PNC Park 20th season best moments highlights
Fans of the team can also win prizes on social media, test their knowledge on the Ballpark app, and more. The Pirates have also sent each of their Season Ticket Holders two “Ballpark Experience in a Box” gift boxes. These gift boxes include:
-
A PNC Park 20th season fleece pullover
-
2020 Josh Bell Bobblehead that celebrates his two home runs into the Allegheny River
-
Pirates Family Forever t-shirt
-
Pirates logoed mask
-
Pirates labeled hand sanitizer
-
Pirates branded stylus
The Pirates also worked Season Ticket Holders and social media followers to gather photos of fans showing their support for the team by holding up rally signs and cheering them on. These photos are being displayed in the Player’s Tunnel near the team’s clubhouse.
More on Customer Loyalty in Sports and Entertainment: