New Interactive System At Safeco

by Jeff on Jun 15, 2007 11:04 AM PDT Comment 12 comments

I'll just copy and paste the email...

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Say, was very excited to tell you about a pilot program that is going to be started at SAFECO and run through the entire 2007 season - which will lead to an entirely new level of interactivity for the average fan...

There will 17 DS Lite download stations where people can download the software onto their DS Lite - Nintendo's portable hand-held machine - that enables them to do a bunch of things including:

* Watch the Mariners network broadcast of games in real time right on the DS from almost any seat in the stadium - some of the controversial plays they don't show on the Jumbotron will still be able to be seen by fans...

* Order food from your seat - use the DS Lite to order hot dogs, sodas, etc. using a credit card - which also keeps those long lines down at the ATMs where people are waiting to get more cash

* Access to players stats from all around the MLB

* Updated scores and information from other MLB games in progress...

* Fans can compete against each other in trivia and word games...

They'll also have two areas at SAFECO where you can purchase DS Lite units - they are white and have the Mariner's logo on there... eventually there are thoughts about enabling fans to even provide input on the line up and pitching rotation during the game... the League could use it as a way to tabulate All-Star votes... the possibilities are really endless...

But a new way that both adults and kids will be able to experience the game... and if they kids get bored, they can play games on the DS...

...it's only going to be in Seattle for this year... but if the fans think it's a success, it could be replicated throughout the League...

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I guess there are perks to having a team

owned by Nintendo

by ningwers on Jun 15, 2007 11:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I remember them talking about this at FanFest

And, I think you have to pay for the service. And, of course, it's not cheap...

"But when you throw the other ones a foot and a half out of the strike zone, they don't give you those." --Brandon Morrow

by PositivePaul on Jun 15, 2007 11:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Interesting...

Maybe someone with way more knowledge than me can answer this, but exactly how secure would a wireless credit card transaction via a DS Lite be?

Sounds intriguing.

by Ben in Va on Jun 15, 2007 11:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Nintendo preachs safety

to the point where it is infuriatingly annoying. Friends codes my ass.

From what I saw at the game, you sign up for the service at a kiosk so that way you don't have to send out your CC number more than necessary.

by Robert on Jun 15, 2007 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ah. Thanks

by Ben in Va on Jun 15, 2007 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

From what I saw at fanfest

It was both incredibly cool and expensive, something like 8 dollars a game or 80 for a season. The special edition Mariners DS lite that they were using to display this sure is mighty tempting. That is if I hadn't already bought 4 DS's in the past.

by Robert on Jun 15, 2007 11:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This is too goddamn cool. It's almost enough to

make me wish I hadn't moved to San Francisco last year. Oh well, at least you can buy Jack Daniels at AT&T. That helps to ease the pain of watching crappy National League teams.

by Slozbury Stouvre on Jun 15, 2007 12:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

PacBell sells Jack?

by Llewdor on Jun 15, 2007 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It sucks

I tried it in May, and it sounds a lot cooler than it actually is. You get to watch the jumbo-tron on your DS, but the picture is soooo crappy that, unless you're sitting under the screen and can't see it - you're much better off just looking at the actual thing.

Yes, there are up-to-date scores from around the league. But, what I didn't like is that you only get the final scores (or current scores), you don't get box scores, so you can't really see how guys on your fantasy team did that day.

Who wants to do a Mariners word search when you could be watching baseball?

You can use the DS to order food and have it delievered to your seat...if you want to use a credit card AND pay a 17% fee!

It'll probably get better - but it's a waste right now.

"The secret of managing is to keep the guys who hate you away from the guys who are undecided." -Casey Stengel

by ConorGlassey on Jun 15, 2007 12:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd pay 17% to avoid lines

especially if I could order the hefeweizen from the Bullpen Pub and have THAT delivered to my seat.

by Llewdor on Jun 15, 2007 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

At their prices

I'll do my drinking before and after the game, thx.

by Gomez on Jun 16, 2007 1:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was going to say

This has been at the park already for a while. I had a few friends that tried it and said the same thing as Conor, basically, that it wasn't worth paying for, but might not be so bad if it was free. A neat idea that really needs some more work before it's feasible.

I mean, personally, I've had a smartphone (first a Sidekick, now just a windows mobile) for a few years, and if I use it at all during a game it's only like once or twice, maybe to look up stats or other hunches. In general it wouldn't be worth it to me to pay $5 or $8 or whatever for the DS service... well, if I had a DS, which I don't, anyway.

by Deanna on Jun 15, 2007 1:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs