The Seattle Mariners found themselves in a unique situation during a game this season when they managed to rally on the strength of what appeared to be a failing computer. This occurred during the bottom of the eighth inning of a tied game against the Los Angeles Angels, who had just hit a grand slam to even the score. In an attempt to energize the crowd, the Mariners’ game entertainment team played a rally video on the centerfield scoreboard that initially seemed like a major fail, as the video abruptly stopped and displayed a “blue screen of death” associated with Microsoft Windows.
However, the rally gimmick soon became clear as the operator of the video board began to open new windows and display a Spotify playlist titled “Emergency Rally Songs.” The crowd was encouraged to get on their feet and participate in the rally as Motley Crue’s “Kickstart My Heart” played in the background. As fans got involved, the Mariners first baseman Ty France hit a go-ahead home run, leading the team to a 5-4 victory. This successful rally video was a result of the quick thinking and creativity of the Mariners’ game entertainment team.
The Mariners entertainment team is comprised of individuals such as Nick Sybouts and Tyler Thompson, who work to engage fans and create memorable experiences during games. They are responsible for handling various live entertainment elements on game days, from coordinating ceremonial first pitches to creating content for the video board. The team aims to surprise and delight fans with unique experiences, such as the desktop rally video that was used to rally the crowd during the game against the Angels.
Despite the success of the desktop rally video and other viral content created by the Mariners entertainment team, they aim to strike a balance in how they use such content. They want to ensure that these moments remain special and unexpected for fans, rather than becoming overused or repetitive. The team is focused on staying ahead of the curve and continuing to create innovative and engaging content that resonates with younger demographics and sets them apart from other Major League Baseball teams.
Fans and social media users praised the Mariners for their creative use of the desktop rally video, with many expressing admiration for the team’s ability to turn what initially seemed like a technical difficulty into an exciting moment during the game. The team’s success with viral content and their ability to engage fans through unique experiences have set them apart from other sports entertainment teams. Moving forward, the Mariners entertainment team plans to continue pushing boundaries and exploring new ways to surprise and delight fans, while staying true to their creative and innovative approach.
