The Seattle Mariners managed to rally during a game this season on the strength of a presumably failing computer. During the bottom of the eighth inning of a 4-4 game on May 31 against the Los Angeles Angels, a T-Mobile Park-silencing grand slam was hit. Sensing the need to re-energize the crowd, the Mariners’ game entertainment team turned to a rally video on the centerfield scoreboard that initially appeared to be a major fail. The video abruptly stopped with an error message and displayed the dreaded “blue screen of death,” causing the fans to cringe in sympathy for the technical difficulties experienced.
Despite the appearance of technical difficulties on the video board, the rally gimmick started to materialize with the operator opening a PowerPoint document and urging fans to get on their feet. The crowd responded as Motley Crue’s “Kickstart My Heart” played, and the stadium atmosphere intensified. Mariners first baseman Ty France hit a go-ahead home run, securing a 5-4 win for Seattle. This successful rally video was not the first appearance of the “desktop rally” and was part of several surprises planned by the entertainment team during Mariners games.
The entertainment team at the Seattle Mariners, led by Nick Sybouts and Tyler Thompson, works on engaging and delighting fans during games. They handle various live entertainment elements, including coordinating the video board content, music, ceremonies, and more. The small team collaborates closely to create memorable experiences for fans at T-Mobile Park. Thompson expressed his joy at working in entertainment, particularly in sports, and shared that he couldn’t have asked for a better team to work for. Sybouts also expressed his enthusiasm for his dream job, highlighting the unique and exciting aspects of the role.
Fans and social media users applauded the Mariners entertainment team for their successful execution of the rally video, with many praising it as a superior piece of ballpark content. The video garnered millions of views online, showcasing the team’s ability to create engaging and memorable experiences for fans. Thompson emphasized the importance of preserving the surprise factor and not overusing successful content to keep it fresh and exciting for fans. The team is constantly working on new ideas and strategies to deliver the next big moment at Mariners games, leveraging meme culture and surprise elements to create energy and excitement among young fans.
The Mariners entertainment team aims to create a unique and engaging experience for fans through creative and unexpected content. By incorporating elements of meme culture and surprise, the team sets itself apart from other Major League Baseball teams and appeals to a younger audience. The team’s commitment to innovation and their willingness to push boundaries promises that future rally videos and entertainment content will continue to captivate fans and create moments of joy and excitement at Mariners games.
