MLB announced today it will allow players participating in the July 10 All-Star Game in K.C. to post on social media platforms from the field during the game, expanding on a similar effort introduced during last year's Home Run Derby in Phoenix. Players will be allowed to post on Facebook and Twitter once they come out of the game, representing the first time players will be allowed on the platforms during the ASG itself. The league's normal social media policy for the regular season and playoffs prohibits all such activity by players during games. But the league will seek to build around the #ASG and #HRDerby hashtags during ASG week events. Along similar lines, ESPN and Fox also plan to incorporate social media during their broadcasts of the Home Run Derby and ASG, respectively. Last year's "Social Media Derby" for the Home Run Derby generated a peak volume of nearly 5,000 tweets per second, and when including both player and fan activity, ranked 7th in Twitter history at the time.
TV TIME: MLB today is also breaking a new TV spot entitled "The Pledge," highlighting league loyalty and the ASG's role in determining home field advantage during the World Series. Players involved in the spot include Blue Jays OF Jose Bautista, Tigers 1B Prince Fielder, Cardinals 3B David Freese, Yankees OF Curtis Granderson, Dodgers OF Matt Kemp, Rays 3B Evan Longoria, Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen, Red Sox DH David Ortiz, Phillies OFs Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino, Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki, D'Backs OF Justin Upton, Tigers P Justin Verlander and Angels P CJ Wilson.
